And The Winner Is...

Thanks so much to everyone who shared or read my last post. I can't stress how important it is to do your research on agents and publishing houses before you commit to them.

Drum roll....

The winner of the 2015 Guide To Literary Agents is (chosen by random.org) Carrie Charley Brown! Congratulations, Carrie and please email me your address.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Agent Research and Querying, plus an Awesome Giveaway...

Sometimes, you think a book is so valuable that you buy two copies....Which gives me the opportunity to either go through the hassle of trying to return it, or having an awesome giveaway. So you guessed it...

I'm giving away one copy of the 2015 Guide To Literary Agents.

If you know me, you know I a HUGE proponent of doing your research, no matter what it's for.  For the past month or so I've been researching agents. Before I began, I created a list of the places I would look at to research each potential agent. My checklist looked like this:

AGENT RESEARCH CHECK LIST:

• Agent’s name and agency website
• @twitter
• Writer’s Digest Blog information
• GLA (Guide to Literary Agents)
• Publisher’s Marketplace likes and dislikes
• Blog accounts
• Facebook 
• Interview information
• Editors and Predators, Writer Beware and Absolute Writer (the Water Cooler)
• QueryTracker.com
• Do a Google Search

Feel free to copy and paste my list, so you have it for future reference...

I created a document with the above information. Once each agent checked out,  (and not all of them did) I personalized the query, based on my research, and copied their submission guidelines and email address into their query/document. Being organized is key here! Whether you do it on paper, in a spreadsheet or on a file folder. Keep track of who you query and when you query them (leave space for a response, too). 

Every agent has specific guidelines you have to follow. Don't fool yourself into thinking it won't matter if you send them the whole manuscript, when they ask for ten, fifteen or fifty pages... It does matter. The rules are there for a reason. Be sure to follow them to the very best of your ability. This is your introduction to them. Show them that you are paying attention to what they want.

I would suggest if you are querying a novel or a non-fiction work, that you make several submission packages, so that you can easily adapt to each agents requirements. Some agents accept attachments and some want your letter and your submission in the body of an email.  So pay attention to HOW they want to see your work. 

Putting your best foot forward is like having the perfect handshake. Not too soft. Not too strong. Not too sweaty. Just right...

If you would like to win a copy of the 2015 Guide to Literary Agents, please pop over to my website,  click on one of the social media links and say something about my services or my site and leave a comment on this post. 

For my non querying friends....Our babies are happy and loving the new house.

Please come back on March the 6th to see who won the copy of the 2015 Guide to Literary Agents and to join in on a discussion on rejections.

I'm A Winner, A Researcher and a Giverawayer (Not sure how to spell that?)

I'm a Winner!

 Not only was November NaNoWriMo, it was PiBoIdMo.  I signed up for both, but due to unexpected  circumstances I wasn't able to finish NaNo....But I finished PiBo with 31 new ideas!  My plans are to compile all my ideas on to a piece of poster board and post it in my office.  Then I can check them off as I complete the first draft of each story.  (I love list making.) If you aren't sure what PiBoIdMo is, it's Picture Book Idea Month, Tara did a super job organizing it.  (*waves*)

I'm a Researcher...

 We found this on the beach in South Shields, England.  

We think it was a watch station of some sort for the Home Guard during WWII.

 This beautiful spot was beside a cafe' we stopped at on our way to Eden Camp.  

 As you enter this WWII POW camp you will notice the barbed wire fence and the watch towers.  Eden Camp house prisoners of war during WWII.  The prisoners were mostly Italian and German.  If they were good they were allowed to have day passes to work in local businesses and on farms.  There was a shortage of strong young men during the War as they were all off fighting.

 They had several examples of bomb shelters.  I am refraining from showing you all my photos. 

 Be thankful...I took a LOT.

 During the War every man, woman, child and baby was required to carry a gas mask with them at all times. The babies had units that they completely fit in and I'm sure it was their mums that carried it for them.

 A group of school children were on a visit to Eden Camp and were all labeled with identification labels and carried a small satchel, just like the children who were evacuated during the war.

 All sorts of artifacts were on display; from food

 to what a bombed building might look like,

 To examples of blacking out a room,

 to fashions,

and even popular toys.  This dolly is dressed in a woman's service uniform.

 Prisoners at Eden Camp enjoyed shows. 

 The treatment they endured was much much much kinder than the treatment the Allied Forces received.

 Bombs and planes showed the attitude of the Brits.

I hope you enjoyed a little bit of my research on my trip to England.  My next post will be on December 6th and I'll announce the winner of my English Goodie Bag Give Away.  If you haven't entered, please hop over HERE and enter.

I hope you had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  

Hugs to all!

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY....

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY...You never know who might be listening...or reading your words.

I recently did a post on researching literary agents.  A few days ago, I was reading a snarky comment on  QueryTracker.  An agent gently reminded the commenter that agents can read the  posts about each agent.  I think this is a great lesson for all of us. 

Some agents have snarky blogs and they enjoy that sense of humor, but you better make sure you are sure your snarky comment will be well received.  I noticed one today, on a non-snarky agent blog...The agent gave a very dry response to the comment.  The commenter in question did a quick reply to try and make the initial comment sound not so snarky, but for me...it was too late.  I wondered if the agent clicked on the commenter's name and looked at her profile...

Maybe, it's because I don't have a snarky personality.  I try to represent myself to you the way I am for all people.  I'm not perfect, but I'm not snarky.  If I comment on your blog, your wonderful words lead me to leave a comment.  My comments are genuine, but I always think as I write, "Would I want agent xxx or my future readers to read what I just wrote?"  If the answer is yes, then I hit the submit button otherwise I delete and try again...

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT BE READING YOUR POSTS AND/OR COMMENTS....

FROZEN IGUANAS & LITERARY AGENTS...

What’s on my mind today? FROZEN IGUANAS

I’m rather concerned by the photographs on CNN of iguanas freezing in trees and on the banks of waterways in Florida. I realize they are cold blooded and this is a natural defense mechanism. Their blood slows down and their bodies go into a hibernation state until it warms up (and they warm up). It’s just rather worrisome seeing them falling out of trees.

What else is on my mind? AGENTS

How much time should one spend looking for an agent? This process can be mind boggling. I’ve been jotting down notes from blogs, magazines, interviews, and from websites.

I joined Querytracker.net. It’s a great site! It allows you to keep a list of agents you might want to query. It tells you what they are interested in. Other members log in their queries and responses and you can access the data. It gives you links to the agent’s website, submission guidelines, and extra data if you pay for a membership. You can join for free, but if you become a premium member you can get more data about the agents and publishers. It’s worth the money.

I also joined a YA writing community site called YAlitchat.ning.com. It is full of great agent information as well. It is like facebook for writers.

I’m still trying to understand Twitter. I joined and read the comments of the people I follow. Lots of agent blogs have Twitter links. I’m still a novice at this, so NO questions, please.

I follow guide to literary agents; it’s a blog that gives you more information. Literary Rambles also is loaded with agent interviews and information. Not to mention, you can learn about agents on their blogs.

I’m pretty much on agent overload. HOW DO YOU RESEARCH AGENTS? HOW MUCH INFORMATION DO YOU WANT BEFORE YOU QUERY HIM/HER? WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION FROM? HOW MANY AGENTS DO YOU QUERY AT A TIME? I’m on overload and I still need more information…LOL