How to Present Work to Publishers/Agents?

Maybe you could try contacting established author's, asking them how they got started. Maybe research and find who published their first book, or second book. Even who they use at the present time. Hey, it couldn't hurt ya. Just a suggestion.

I have found this site very useful: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3575/wn/writerstext-agents.html Agents listed as being opne to new writers do appear to be, according to my experience. I'll let you know if I manage to get an agent in the end! Good luck all of you!

Gabrielle (and everyone else despairing of ever finding an agent!) I tried for years to find an agent, sell my work and now, four (published) books later, I still occasionally get rejections from magazines etc. My top two tips are: 1. There are some reputable agents out there who DO read what is sent to them. If it is good enough, then you will be taken on. THere is an element of luck, but not as much as you would think. Constant rejection of the same work would suggest that you re-write, re-think. It is a hard fact that only the very best get published. 2. THe above only applies if you are a 'nobody' (like me). If Daddy is a famous jounalist, or your aunt is a countess, than the British class system and crony network will look after you. Try to circumvent this by presenting your self as someone 'n the circle. I got chatting to a famous writer at a book reading and got her to give me the address of her agent, who I then approached as though a good friend of the writer (whilst not actually saying that I was...) Get it? It might get you noticed, but if the work isn't good enough, then still no contract!

I sold my first novel by first sending a query letter, three chapters and a synopsis. They asked to see the rest, and off I went. This was on the fourth publisher I sent it to. I've since sold two more novels to the same publisher (same method as above), but I'm having a harder job finding an agent. Willie http://www.willie.meikle.btinternet.co.uk

Hi David, Will you send me a copy too, please? Thanks Sarah Cook

It won't make any difference ..they will still turn you down.

Nope - I'm too young to be disillusioned, hon.

Good going! Keep that enthusiasm (and don't be down on yourself Gabrielle - you're great!) Cheers Emily

Thanks! But can anyone answer my question????

Send the first three chapters, Jennifer. That is the usual way.

Hi Jennifer... as Emily said, keep going! In answer to your question, ir depends on who you are approaching and how. A Gent is right in so much as that is the 'standard method'. Obviously, if you get an agent, they will have many ways of getting to a publisher on your behalf. There are various books available, listing agents and publishers; what genres they are interested in, and how to contact them. Use any means you can, to make contacts. Don't be afraid to 'break all the rules' as to 'how one should get their work see by an agent/publisher'. Many authors have succeeded by 'thinking outside the box' and being just as creative as to this next stage, as they were in their writing. Good luck.

So, maybe you should test the above advice, Jennifer. Send the whole book plus everything else you've ever written to one agent. Then send the first sentence of your novel to another agent. Then send the first three chapters to a third agent. See which approach works. See if it helps if you are out of your box.

Hi Jennifer, As you are already seeing for yourself (and if I am reading other comments correctly) you are going to get both 'negative' and 'derisory/sarcastic' responses. However, your statement about not becoming disillusioned - your determination - is one of the 'ingredients' which has been part of the recipe for just about every succesful author. While many (perhaps the majority?) of authors did succeed using the standard 'cold-calling' method of mailing 'Synopsis and first 3 chapters', there are many who have found other ways worked for them. Obviously I can only speak from experience and what other authors have told me. It is very easy to fall into the trap of 'well this worked for me - so this is the **only** way'. Then, with time, it becomes the 'stock answer' - 'the rule'. I was recently sent a great book called "Unpublishable" (ISBN 0-9524881-1-6) It contains around 30 accounts of famous authors who, during their quest to become published, were repeatedly rejected by agents and publishers. If you want to get a copy but can't find one, email me at UKpoet@aol.com Best wishes again, David Taub

I agree with David - use any approach to find an agent - the usual ones and the less usual. From my very embittered research I would say that it is who you know in this world and what you look like that gets you results. So if you know no-one in publishing - literary world at all and you are less than photogenic it is much much more of an uphill battle. There seems to be so many rules and no rules. It is unfortunately a matter of luck if you don't have the contacts. I have tried all of the usual approaches and got absolutely nowhere ...I now get out of my box on every occasion - anyone I meet - I ask - do you have an agent? Do you know an agent? Any contacts? Sad I know ...but desperation makes you mad (no that's another thread!)

Well, I'm young, I'm...fairly photogenic - and I have no contacts- but then, I wrote the book for me - of course I would love to have it published, and be a 'proper' writer, as it were. I haven't sent tit anywhere yet, so I may do so and if so, I'll let you know what happens next!! (If anything does happen, that is)!! Thankyou for all your advice everyone!! Jen x

Ooops That was a heck of a typo Jennifer :o)

Whoops!! That'll teach me not to read through my posts before posting, now won't it? J

well hellooo young lady. I found your recent submission absolutely delightful. It was a bit wobbly at first but proceeded to firm up as I progressed. I felt your style was very rounded and you have certainly achieved a new peak with your work. Perhaps you could send me the other 'chapter' so I could help you develop further -both hands on the pumps as it were. Ed. Poobumwilly books Ltd.

Enough!