This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Ever wanted to sit down with a literary agent over tea and cake and ask all the burning questions you have about submitting your novel and the publishing industry in general?
You’ve come to the right place.
As detailed last week, we’re offering you the opportunity to put your questions to literary agent Madeleine Milburn over the next couple of Mondays. If you’ve been following Sarah’s Write Your Novel column, we thought now would be an excellent time to ask the real nitty, gritty publishing questions that come up when you’re preparing your manuscript for submission.
This week, Madeleine tackles the importance of author platforms, long-term client relationships and how to make that query letter really stand out.
I’m always hearing how important it is to have an author platform. What does the ideal author platform look like? What about it exactly would make you interested when reading an author’s query?
For writers of non-fiction a high profile and author platform is really important, and I would expect them to be actively engaged in their field of work.
For fiction, I’m far more interested in writing potential rather than the author’s background. It’s always nice to see that a writer is serious about their career, so any writing festivals, workshops or courses attended, or any competitions won or articles published are important to mention. But the most important platform for a fiction author is having a distinct voice that enables them to tell their story better than anyone else.An author platform is something I actively encourage my clients build in the run up to publication – word of mouth is the strongest publicity tool and a platform e.g. presence on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and having an author website or blog, can draw in traffic and create exposure for a book.
Can I ask, of the manuscripts you have pitched in the recent 6 -12 months to editors, whether they were accepted or not, is there anything you would have done differently?
I take a huge amount of care and time over each submission I make to publishers, planning exactly how to get the most attention for each one and coming up with ways to make them unique and quirky. So, no, there isn’t anything I would do differently.
I have several non-fiction and fiction book ideas. Is it ever ok to approach an agent to discuss ideas and a possible long-term relationship outside of the normal submission process?
It’s tricky to engage with an agent on this level before they have been offered representation purely because we are so busy with our current clients. However, if I like a book idea that has been submitted, but don’t necessarily think it’s the right book to launch a career with, I’ll definitely get in touch with the author and want to discuss further ideas. So, personally, I’d much prefer prospective authors to submit the way that’s specified on my website.
I am wondering if someone is already signed with a publisher, how do they go about finding an agent so that they are able to secure possible better deals in the future? Would a writer need to have a separate MS ready to submit to said agent before querying?
Out of interest, I like to see the book that has already been published. But the most important thing is to see the first three chapters of the new manuscript that hasn’t yet been contracted by the publishers. This is the book that I can work with in order to take the author to the next level.
What makes a query really, really stand out?
A really strong introductory email or covering letter that focuses on one piece of work. I like to see a strong compelling blurb, like the ones you find on the back of bestselling books, that makes me want to start reading the chapters straight away. I don’t want to see reams of information about the writer – instead I want the letter to be professional and concise, and solely about the book being submitted. It’s important to remember to pitch the book in the covering letter, not in the synopsis.
How did you become a literary agent? What getting started tips can you give someone considering becoming a literary agent themselves?
I started at the bottom of the ladder, as an assistant at the oldest literary agency in the UK. But nowadays it’s such a popular industry that it’s almost impossible to secure a publishing job just after graduating. Most employers expect to see candidates who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the industry, through work experience and internship programmes. My advice is to get as much experience as possible at agencies, publishers and literary scouts. This will give you a broad perspective on the industry and help you make valuable contacts.
Thanks very much to Madeleine.
Have a query that hasn’t been covered here? You can leave your questions in the comments or email them anonymously to kerry@writingtipsoasis.com. Madeleine will host her next Q&A on Monday 21 March.