Do Writers Need An Agent?

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Do we as writers, especially new writers, really need an agent right away?

I want an agent when I really have something to present that’s polished and well written. I feel that I would be spinning my wheels trying to get an agents attention if my project isn’t worthy. Not only that, I would have to share any profits. Is that me being cheap? Not sure about it, I haven’t had that experience yet.

According to an article from The Writer, Stephen King had this to say about agents in 1986:

An agent? Forget it. For now

Agents get 10% of monies earned by their clients. 10% of nothing is nothing. Agents also have to pay the rent. Beginning writers do not contribute to that or any other necessity of life. Flog your stories around yourself. If you’ve done a novel, send around query letters to publishers, one by one, and follow up with sample chapters and/or the manuscript complete. And remember Stephen King’s First Rule of Writers and Agents, learned by bitter personal experience: You don’t need one until you’re making enough for someone to steal … and if you’re making that much, you’ll be able to take your pick of good agents.

That was quite a while ago and so much has changed since then. I feel he has a valid point, new writers should wait and shop around with publishers first. None of us would be any worse for the ware.

Will you be shopping for an Agent first?

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Street Smarts: Beyond The Diploma

Title: Street Smarts: Beyond The Diploma

Author: Jim Randel

Illustrator: Rebecca Kunzmann/Kim Lincon

Paperback: 125 pages
Publisher: Rand Media Company
ISBN: 978-0-9844418-7-7

Review:

Do you value yourself? Would you like to have more personal freedom? Do you have a dream and vision for yourself? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, then you are ready to lean how to become more street smart on your journey to success.

Randel introduces readers to the power of you. The road to success isn’t easy but if you know what you’re passionate about you will learn to focus on that by focusing on your strengths and your weaknesses. Think of those close to you as a board of directors that you can bounce ideas off of for solid feedback, good or bad.

Readers will learn how to communicate. Learn how to listen and pace yourself to react and train your thoughts in a positive manner. Learn to manage your time and thought process so you can better express yourself. Be energetic, small differences in the energy you give off can lead to big differences in how people will react to you. Learn about appearance, speaking patterns and vocabulary. Get tips on finding similar interests with those you encounter.

Randel covers how to network and keep a people diary. Readers will learn the importance of social capital and how to build upon it. Time management and how to be productive are simplified by showing the reader how to be more organized with filing and tickler systems.

Readers will learn about contracts, what to do if you are arrested, identity theft, the stock market, investing and so much more, Street Smarts covers all the necessary topics readers may not learn through traditional avenues. Readers will get past their fears and learn to take control.

Visit www.theskinnyon.com

Where is the Query Fairy?

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I have met many writers who have a fear of the query letter. I never understood it until I had to do one myself. I read as much information as I could find and still there didn’t seem to be an easy answer as to how best to write a query. I was wondering if there was a Query Fairy out there somewhere who could help. There is help.

There are lots of Query Fairy’s out on the web. They are out there with their magic wands spreading their fairy dust all around. One in particular is Noah Lukeman. Of course, he may not consider himself a fairy, but he still offers help in writing a great query letter and he even offers a free download with tips and resources to help get you started.

I have downloaded the book and read it more than once, more than twice and I have utilized the tips. I created a few query letters and the world didn’t blow up. I was rejected but not because of my query letter. I was rejected because a similar story idea or article was just accepted or it wasn’t something they were interested in at the time. Now, rejection is rejection but I look at the bright side of the situation, I received personal notes and comments from the editors. I was happy about that. I was not expecting personal notes. What that says to me is that my query letter was good enough for them to stop, read and comment. I passed the test.

So, maybe I’m wrong but I choose not to think that. I might mention, that it wasn’t just Noah Lukeman, I have been surfing around and absorbing everything I see in regards to how to write a query letter.  It’s been a while since I have sent any out. I have hope that someday soon my idea; my project will be taken in and shared with all of you.

How to Write a Great Query Letter: Inside Tips & Techniques for Success, by Noah Lukeman

Happy Writing!

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The Skinny On Time Management

Book Giveaway! For a chance to win just Tweet this post and leave a comment with your name and email!

Title: The Skinny On

Time Management: How to Maximize Your 24-hour Gift

Author: Jim Randel

Illustrator: Lindy Nass/Rebecca Kunzmann

Paperback: 215 pages
Publisher: Rand Media Company
ISBN: 978-0-9841393-9-2

Review:

Are you a procrastinator? Do you have gaps in your day and as a result no accomplishments were made? If this is you without a doubt you have time management issues. If you want to maximize your time and get more done then it is time you invested in learning how to manage your time.

Randel will show you step-by-step in simple illustrations on how to account for each minute in your busy day. Readers will learn how to set goals by creating a journal of your day-to-day activities. Would you like to improve your memory? Learn how to stretch your mind, spread out your food intake, exercise and learn memory skills.

Readers will learn how to defeat procrastination by setting goals, breaking up big projects into smaller manageable pieces and by taking notes. Get rid of clutter in your mind and your home. Develop a tangible system which will help improve time management. Randel shows readers how to create goals, make the most of the gaps and be more focused. Helpful links are found throughout the book along with words of encouragement from some of your favorite celebrities.

Be sure to stop by www.theskinnyon.com

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The Blogfest Query Letter

We are now at week 3 for the Gearin Up To Get An Agent Blogfest hosted by Deana Barnhart. Our task this week is to post a query letter of a finished work. Participants will stop by and leave helpful hints to improve the letter. This is scary and exciting. Good luck everyone!

 

Here is my attempt at a Query Letter:

Dear Agent:

My name is Kristi Bernard, and I’ve written a picture book of 762 words that fits most comfortably in the genre of fiction. It’s called Big Red, and I would very much like to send it to you for possible publication or representation.

Tameka is discovering she is a big girl now. It is time for her to trade in her tricycle for a bicycle. When her dad shows up with an old rusty bike that he bought at an auction she’s not sure she can learn to ride such a monstrosity. With a little determination and elbow grease, Tameka learns to ride her recycled bike and in return for taking such good care of it she receives a brand new bike.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

 Sincerely,

Kristi Bernard