I have finished writing a novel and wonder what is the best way to approach an agent or publisher. I have had many short stories published but this is different, and I would like to take the right steps forward and have the best chance of being successful.
I enjoy dipping into your website, it’s very useful.
I’d advise looking for an agent first, rather than going directly to publishers. Good agents have real clout; publishers respect them and are generally willing to look seriously at anything they are pushing. Below is a link to a listing of Irish agents:
If your novel has more general appeal outside Ireland, then you can google agent lisitings for the UK, US and elswhere.
If you can’t get an agent (they can be harder to get than a publisher), then you can start sending it out directly to publishers. Here’s a link to a list of Irish publishers you might find useful:
More comprehensive international listings can be found in The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook, which you can order from most bookshops or online. You need to be patient when submitting work in both instances; I generally wouldn’t query for at least three months when you send agents or publishers anything (and double check this in their guidelines).
I’ll be blogging about submitting to markets over the next while and including advice on cover letters, adhering to guidelines, what not to do when dealing with editors and other relevant stuff. Keep an eye out for those posts. Or better yet, you can click on the Follow Blog option on the front page and make sure you are alerted to new postings.
Finally an editor who speaks from the heart, telling us aspiring writers how to get butt in chair and write on despite rejection, and makes us feel encouraged, inspired even. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.
Karen M Rider http://Www.Karenmrider.com
John Kenny
Hi John,
I have finished writing a novel and wonder what is the best way to approach an agent or publisher. I have had many short stories published but this is different, and I would like to take the right steps forward and have the best chance of being successful.
I enjoy dipping into your website, it’s very useful.
Regards,
Don Cameron
Posted by Don Cameron | February 2, 2012, 2:20 pmHi Don,
I’d advise looking for an agent first, rather than going directly to publishers. Good agents have real clout; publishers respect them and are generally willing to look seriously at anything they are pushing. Below is a link to a listing of Irish agents:
http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/2010/11/literary-agents-in-and-around-ireland.html
If your novel has more general appeal outside Ireland, then you can google agent lisitings for the UK, US and elswhere.
If you can’t get an agent (they can be harder to get than a publisher), then you can start sending it out directly to publishers. Here’s a link to a list of Irish publishers you might find useful:
http://www.publishingireland.com/book-publishers/full-members/
More comprehensive international listings can be found in The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook, which you can order from most bookshops or online. You need to be patient when submitting work in both instances; I generally wouldn’t query for at least three months when you send agents or publishers anything (and double check this in their guidelines).
I’ll be blogging about submitting to markets over the next while and including advice on cover letters, adhering to guidelines, what not to do when dealing with editors and other relevant stuff. Keep an eye out for those posts. Or better yet, you can click on the Follow Blog option on the front page and make sure you are alerted to new postings.
Best, John
Posted by John Kenny | February 2, 2012, 3:03 pmFinally an editor who speaks from the heart, telling us aspiring writers how to get butt in chair and write on despite rejection, and makes us feel encouraged, inspired even. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.
Karen M Rider
http://Www.Karenmrider.com
Posted by Karen M. Rider | May 16, 2012, 2:36 amThank you for your kind words, Karen. Continued success with your writing. 🙂
Posted by John Kenny | May 16, 2012, 2:41 pm