What Is Holding You Back---IWSG

Insecure Writer's Support Group...What is holding you back?

Yay! It's the first Wednesday of the month and it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group posts. If you haven't heard of the group, pop over to the blog and check it out, then check out the Facebook group. It's a great group full of supportive people including our leader Alex J. Cavanaugh. Who continues to motivate us even in his busy published life.

We've even put together an anthology packed full of helpful hints about the publishing industry. It's available on Amazonfor the amazingly low price... of free! All you have to do is download it on your kindle app. (I'm in there, talking about editing.)

So..... on with my post!

I love writing! I love researching! I love editing and critiquing (check out my website), but something is holding me back...I'm terrified of the querying process. What if I blow my chances by saying something goofy in my letter. (I often say goofy things.) What if I spend so much time researching agents and editors that by the time I send the letters they have changed jobs? What if I trust the wrong person? (I've done that before.) Yes, I'm feeling a bit insecure today.  :( 

Any advice??? 

Are you looking for some inner peace too?

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.