Easy Readers: Not So Easy to Write! by Judy Press

The weather today is hot and sunny. A surprisingly warm and muggy day considering summer is still a few days off.  Maybe it's the heat but somehow I've gotten into my head to work on an easy reader. Here's what I've found; these books are not easy to write (or get published!) Below are a few tips if you do attempt to write one. 

-Easy Readers are generally 32 to 64 pages long and range from 200 to 1,500 words. 
-The story is told mainly through action and dialogue in gramatically simple sentences, typically one idea per sentence.
-The books average two to five sentences per page in lower levels, going up to a paragraph or two per page or two per page for older readers. 

Leveled Readers:

Level 1- Emergent Reader: 24-32 pages, 20-100 words, controlled vocabulary, repeated words, picture clues, predictable patterns. 

Level 2-Progressing Reader: 32 pages, 100-300 words, longer sentences, simple dialogue, more in depth plat, non-fiction and fiction.

Level 3- Transitional Reader: 32-48 pages, 300-500 words, controlled vocabulary, multi-sylabble and compound words, more dialogue, different POVs, more chapters, more complex story lines, great range of genres

Level 4-Fluent Reader-48 pages, 500-900 words, controlled vocabulary, more advanced vocabulary, detailed and descriptive text, complex story structure, in-depth plot and character development, full range of genres, table of content.

Beginning Readers come after Level 4 and Early Chapter Books come before Chapter Books. 

note: Controlled vocabulary usually refers to words on the Dolch Sight Word List (www.kidzone.ws/dolch/index.htm)

Amy Tipton - Signature Literary Agency - Interview

photo by Ed Glazar

by

Dave Amaditz

In a previous post http://rt19writers.blogspot.com/2014/01/announcement-of-representation-amy.html  I gave a shout-out to everyone that I had signed with the awesome, Amy Tipton, Signature Literary Agency http://signaturelit.com/. To say that time passes quickly is an understatement, as it’s already been six months. Much has happened since then. Amy has been busy behind the scenes doing what agents do… Sorry, you’ll have to wait a little while longer to hear what keeps her busy.

As for me…, after doing two or three rounds of editing with Amy to make sure my novel was ready for submission, I’ve been able to concentrate on my writing (another young adult novel with the first draft now nearly three quarters complete). Having Amy’s expertise behind me has made writing so much easier. Instead of worrying (or worrying too much :-)) about submission status, I can now more fully focus on the important things like character, plot, setting and conflict.

Also, before I forget, I want to say that I’ve gotten a quick taste these last six months of the massive amount work required on Amy’s part to maintain success as an agent and I know she’s awfully busy… So… Amy… Thank You For Your Time and for Agreeing to the Interview. It means so much to me that you’re willing and excited to do the interview. It Reminds Me How Lucky I Am to Have Signed with You.

Now, to the questions……

Dave: For those who don’t know you, could you give a little history of how you came to choose a career as an agent… And a bit about Signature Literary Agency.

Amy: I joined Signature Literary Agency in 2009. I graduated from Naropa University with a B.A. in Writing and Literature and received my MFA from New College of California in Writing. I come to Signature after working as a literary assistant and office manager at several literary agencies including JCA Literary Agency, Diana Finch Literary Agency, Gina Maccoby Literary Agency, and Liza Dawson Associates. I had  also (very briefly) worked as a book scout for Aram Fox, Inc. dealing with foreign rights. I became an agent with Peter Rubie (Peter first suggested I agent) and continued to agent with FinePrint Literary Management. In addition to my agenting experience, I also worked as a freelance editor to Lauren Weisberger, author of The Devil Wears Prada.

Needless to say, I have some experience …

Dave: Impressive experience, to say the least. So who better to talk about the fact that we’re in a changing market, a constantly evolving market. Could you address a few major concerns your current and future clients should know, or should be made aware that will affect the likelihood of publication? (The battle with the self-published market. The book market being oversaturated with inexpensive or free material as well as poor quality material. Lack of marketing dollars. Less people reading. Etc. etc.)

Amy: I think you just addressed a few major concerns yourself: the self-published market. The book market being oversaturated with inexpensive or free material as well as poor quality material. Lack of marketing dollars. Less people reading. Etc. etc. …

Publishing is in transition and it is hard to know where it will end up but it’s not going away—listen, Chicken Little, the sky isn’t falling. I think Malcolm Gladwell said in 2013, “No industry sells something people want and need more than the book industry. If they were selling Styrofoam, I'd be worried, but books have tremendous impact on people's lives." I agree.

Dave: Excellent advice. Now that we know that the sky isn’t falling on the publishing business, it’s obvious writers should continue to write and submit their work. Which one do you check out first when scanning your submissions? Query letters? Sample chapters? Or both? Can a terribly written query be overlooked if the writing sample shows promise? Would you give someone who sent in a writing sample that wasn’t completely polished a chance to redo it because the concept addressed in the query was so awesome? How about letting us know your fastest time to hit the delete button and what it was that could’ve prompted such a drastic response?

Amy: Query letters and the actual writing in a book are so different—they’re completely different animals. I don’t really read sample chapters—though my colleagues at Signature do (which is why we request the first five pages)—I mean, if the query is good, I’ll just request and if it’s awful awful, I just reject (if there are misspellings everywhere, words missing, commas lacking, etc). I look at the sample if I’m on the fence—so it does pay to send. And a terrible query *can* be overlooked by me. If I am excited by the idea in the query, if I see potential, I’ll request. If I read and the concept was awesome but the book just wasn’t there, I will reconsider/reread later (I have read the same book 4-5 times now by an author in different incarnations because the idea is cool.)

Dave: You hear that everyone? Sounds to me as if the submission door is open. We’ll talk later about what exactly she’s looking for, but first, another question for Amy.

What’s your take on submitting to you what might be trending in the marketplace? Or don’t you bother with trends?

Amy: I don’t tend to bother with trends because publishers are so fickle—like, they *say* they want A but they don’t want A, they want B. (Plus, things that are trending, I don’t rep nor do they get me excited …).

Dave: I mentioned earlier that I’ve been able to write, and write a lot, since signing with you. Could you give us a brief rundown of what it is that occupies your day as an agent. The exciting, and what we might consider the not-so-exciting. Could you let us know what is your favorite part of being an agent, and if like me and most writers, you’re often checking the email inbox for messages of good news?

Amy: Of course, I’m checking my email for good news! Always! That is my favorite part—passing on the good news! (Hopefully, I’ve sold someone’s book and get to tell them! Or I’ve offered rep to someone and they’ve accepted!)

I am super busy but it’s mostly boring stuff (like contracts or royalty statements or following up with editors that have various subs) and sometimes it’s fun (like cover consultations) … I get tons of queries to read and I am either rejecting or requesting, plus reading (and editing—which takes time) my already-signed clients; I also work with a foreign rights agent so I’m talking foreign with them and I am working with a film/TV agent and I keep in contact with them too … I also do awesome interviews (which also takes time)!

And I do try to do it all in a timely fashion and that’s hard …

Especially (and I never talk about my personal life—why would you care?—but this info pertains to occupying time) now, I am relearning to walk—I had a stroke a few years back—and physical therapy is intense and I do it about once a week but anything/everything I do (even this interview) is therapy and hard for me.

Dave: And you still didn’t hesitate, didn’t blink an eye to agree to do this. Which makes what you’ve done here so much more impressive. So readers, listen up!! You’ll definitely want to hear the answer to the next question.

Amy, what, if any, is the one story you’re dying to hear a pitch for? Why that story?

Amy: I am DYING for some sort of YA about homegrown terrorism/anarchy/Black Bloc group—kinda like the movie “The East.” Or some secret society. I could get into an idea about a bitchy/dark sorority … Hazing gone wrong, maybe?—not some “Afterschool Special” about the dangers of drinking too much either, please! I actually read a ms. (I requested) that addressed this YA terrorism idea, which I (reluctantly, even stupidly) passed on. Then I rewatched that documentary about the Weathermen and it rekindled the idea.

I also rewatched that movie “Heavenly Creatures” and am searching for a story that explores a close/weirdly close friendship/relationship between 2 kids …

Also, I am super into the shows “Orange Is The New Black” (which, yes, was a book) and “Breaking Bad”—if there is anyone out there with an idea like these shows, I’m listening …

Dave: Wow! I know that I’d love to read something on those topics, too. But just in case somebody’s written something else that doesn’t exactly fall into those categories, perhaps you can give the readers an idea of your taste in literature. What are some of your favorite all-time reads? Can you perhaps pick two or three classics and two or three more recently written?

Amy: Favorite all-time read is either “The Abortion: An Historical Romance 1966” by Richard Brautigan or “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Adult reads I love include “The Great Gatsby” and “She’s Come Undone” and even “Fear of Flying” and I love author Michelle Tea. Kid books include “The Outsiders” and any Ramona Quimby book or any Judy Blume (but especially “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”) and, I know it’s not great literature or anything, any Sweet Valley High book. Books I love as of late are “Butter” by Erin Jade Lange and “Charm & Strange” by Stephanie Kuehn and, of course, “Wonder” by RJ Palacio. (It’s not recent recent but also shout out to “Living Dead Girl” by Elizabeth Scott.) I also love “Night Film” by Marisha Pessl and, of course, “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. (And not recent recent is “Snakes and Earrings” by Hitomi Kanehara—OMG, love! And “Chump Change” by Dan Fante. And “Homeboy” by Seth Morgan.) How about those books in my TBR (to be read) pile? Now, I don’t know if they’re any good—I can’t vouch for them—but the idea of them is making me salivate: “Bird Box” by Josh Malerman, “The Fever” by Megan Abbott, and “Room” by Emma Donoghue.  There are so many great books—I am not even able to list them all … I didn’t even touch nonfiction …

Dave: What an awesome list - many I’ve not read but are now on my to-read list. So, say someone has written about a topic that you love, that you’re DYING to hear. What is it that sells you on a story? Voice? Characterization? Both?

Amy: Both. Definitely. You should have 1 or the other, at least.

Dave: Would you choose to not represent an author or a story because you have a sense it’s not marketable enough? Or do you go after it finger on trigger simply because you’ve fallen in love with the story?

Amy: It depends. I used to go full-force simply because not only did I love the story but I loved the idea behind the story. But it’s a lot of work to take on a project like that so now I weigh my options—consider the pros and cons. But I’m still more likely to take on something because I love it—market be damned! (You know that song by Tom Petty, I Won’t Back Down? Marry that with Joan Jett’s Bad Reputation. That is me.)

Dave: I Won’t Back Down. Isn’t that the attitude any writer should want from their agent?

I mentioned above that I’ve done a few edits for you to make my novel submission ready. Can you briefly describe for the reader your editing process, how hands-on are you, what you expect from an author once they’ve signed etc. etc.? And just as importantly: is editing necessary before submission?

Amy: I’ve also mentioned projects taking work so that should clue you in that I am hands-on. Extremely hands-on (but have no fear—I will not suggest that your cat turn into a ninja!—I try to stay with you/your vision). Editing is necessary in most cases (and you should always, always edit before subbing agents!)—even just a word misspelled or a comma needed is something I will revise before submitting (see?--hands-on).

The only thing I require/expect from an author once they’ve signed is patience! It is a S-L-O-W process. I can’t stress that enough. Add even more time to the already slow process because I rarely follow what’s “hot”—the trends—so it’s a fight with publishers to publish what I like, what I do. (And trust me—I want to get you/your book published, I want to get paid too—so, believe me, I’m working my a** off for you! OMG, relax will ya! Re-lax! You’ve found an agent—let them work for you, it’s their job so let them do their job!)

Dave: Yes. We talked about that right away, and you answered a whole list of questions for me before I signed. Fees. Royalties. Expectations etc. etc. What are some questions a prospective client should ask of you, or any agent for that matter, before signing?

Amy: I don’t know! Ask anything! Ask everything!

Dave: Could you give a brief rundown before we close of what it is you are looking to see come your way? And, what it is you have absolutely no desire to read and therefore, should not ever be sent?

Amy: Do. Not. Send. Sci Fi. Please! That means no paranormal or magical or supernatural or fantastical or even alt worlds; I don’t rep books with made-up languages or faeries or wizards or vampires or ghosts or aliens, etc. No magic potions (or elixirs) here. There are many other agents, good agents, who do rep those things. I like reality-based YA and MG.

Dave: What should an author include in their submission package when sending to you? Is there a best time to send? And finally, where and how can you be reached?

Amy: I am always working (even on vacation) so send your query any time (I am up late and rise early) or day. Send by email: amy@signaturelit.com.

Thanks again, Amy, for taking the time to answer this long list of questions. I know it was extremely detailed, but by doing this I was hoping to let everyone know everything about your awesomeness, and just as importantly to allow them to do a one-stop-shop where they could find out everything they ever wanted and needed to know before sending you a query.

First Friday-Five Favorite Things, Side Effects May Vary, Julie Murphy

by Julie Murphy

This past Friday, June 6, 2014, Marcy and I posted our answers to Julie’s debut novel, Side Effects May Vary. We would like to congratulate Julie on her debut novel and for providing us with her answers which will give you even more insight into the heads of her well-developed characters.

 Thank you so much for having me! This was such a fun feature to do. Below are my answers!

1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character's development and/or growth?
 

Ya know, I'm going to be really obvious here and say the first line of the book. I'm really into first and last lines and how they relate to one another. Here's Alice's first line:

"If ever my parents gave me a religion, it was the gospel of honesty."

Alice really prides herself on her ability to be brutally truthful, but she spends so much of the novel lying to herself. That being said, I really love the juxtaposition of this first line. Hopefully if you read to the end, you'll see whether or not Alice is finally able to be honest with herself. 

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?
 

A lot of the chapters end on sort of a grim note, so I chose a lighter one that's always been one of my favorites. Come to think of it, it's actually stayed intact since the very first draft.

"I laid my head against him and he wound his arm around my shoulder. 'What's going to happen to us, Harvey?'

He pressed his lips to my head and said, 'It's a surprise, I think.'"

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why? 
 

Natalie, Harvey's mom, is without a doubt my favorite. She's this total constant and has such a clear understanding of Alice. And Harvey, too. She sees both of them for the people who they might some day become. She's also very calculated with her words, which is something I always gravitate to. 

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?
 

I would have to say this one Alice line from when Alice and Harvey go watch the prom from the golf course outside of the country club where it's being held. I really love this particular section because Alice is seeing her peers say goodbye to the lives they know in a completely different way from the way she currently is, but there's still something there that she can relate to. (Even if graduating and dying are totally not the same thing!)

"We sat there and watched the juniors and seniors of Hughley High fall in and out of love, say no and say yes, let go and hang on. A few couples tripped off into the darkness together while others stood on the terrace, yelling back and forth as the tension brought on by prom and graduation slipped between the crevices of their cracking relationships."

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?
 

Well, I can't say my absolute favorite because I fear it might give too much away, but this one from Harvey when he's especially frustrated with her.

"You never surprise me, Alice, which is such a disappointment." 

Website:  http://juliemurphywrites.com/books/

Blog:  http://www.andimjulie.tumblr.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliemurphywrites/app_2415071772

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/andimJULIE

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Side-Effects-Vary-Julie-Murphy/dp/006224535X

Good Reads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15728577-side-effects-may-vary

First Friday - Five Favorite Things - Debut Novel Day

by Dave Amaditz and

Marcy Collier

Welcome to June’s version of - First Friday - Five Favorite Things - Debut Novel Day. In this monthly series, we ask five simple questions about a debut novel that will hopefully entice anyone reading this post to pick up the novel and read it themselves, and/or give them at a glance some insight into the author's writing style and voice as well as how some of the characters might think or act. We do this by presenting, first, answers to our Five Favorite Things, followed by the author's answers in a follow-up post.

This month we're pleased to highlight debut YA novelist, Julie Murphy and her novel, Side Effects May Vary, a wonderful story about a young girl’s struggle to gain control over herself. We get to watch Alice’s journey unfold as she comes to terms with her identity in her fight to overcome being diagnosed with leukemia.

Everywhere you look you see that spring is now fully entrenched around us. Stay tuned in future months to read about some more great debut novels that you can take with you and enjoy while you’re traveling, sitting by the pool at your favorite vacation destination, or even at night while you’re chilling out on your front porch or in the backyard after a long, hot day at work. Marcy and I are super excited to share our picks with you! Thank you to all of the fabulous debut authors who have agreed to participate. Marcy and I are looking for many more reviews to follow.

1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character's development and/or growth?

Dave – I don’t think I’m giving away anything from the book here because the revelation that her cancer is in remission comes early in the book, so to preface this short section I’ll simply say that it comes soon after Alice, the main character, has been told by her doctor that she is now in remission. She’s talking about her on-again off-again relationship with Harvey, her life-long “friend” and neighbor.

Every day I seemed to pull further away from Harvey. I’d never had a problem with confrontation before, but I didn’t know how to tell Harvey that the idea of “us” terrified me. I couldn’t promise him the things he wanted because Harvey wanted forever. And that had been so much easier to give him when forever had no expiration date.

Marcy – Dave and I had similar views on Alice’s character growth. As Dave said above, everything changes once Alice receives the news that her cancer is in remission.

I wanted to be that person for all of them – the person they’d painted into their memory, the memorialized version of Alice – but that girl wasn’t me. And that scared me. As it turned out, my greatest fear in life had become expectations.

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?

Dave - I chose this particular ending because in so few words it was able to sum up so much about Alice. She’s talking here with a boy that she met in school, a boy new to the town and one whom she recently found out was more than likely going to be moving again - depending on Alice’s response.

His shoulders fell. “Well, I guess you’ll find out what I decide next week,” he said.

I was sad for Eric because he’d never known a home, not like I had. But I wasn’t sad enough to give him one.

Marcy – This chapter ending is extremely powerful and shows us Harvey’s raw emotions from an early age.

On that cold night in January it all slipped into place for me and she became my everything and my everyone. My music, my sun, my words, my hope, my logic, my confusion, my flaw.

I was thirteen years old, and she was all these things to me.

And I was her friend.

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Dave – If Harvey is to be considered a secondary character, then I choose Harvey, because he plays such an integral part of the story. He is the ying to Alice’s yang and everything in between. Consider this thought from him.

When you’d loved the same girl for your entire life, it was hard to believe that there might be anything after that. When you loved one person so wholly, do they take that love with them? Was that how it worked? If so, I was okay with that. I loved every bit of Alice, even the horrible, ugly parts that made other people cringe. If this was all the love I could ever give, then my love had been well spent. When Alice was gone, she would take all my love with her. Whether she was floating through some heaven or decomposing six feet under, that part of me would always go with Alice.

Marcy – Debora likes Harvey but he can’t get over Alice to have a real relationship with anyone else. Debora has a heartfelt conversation with Alice, even though she’s been hurt. I chose Debora as my favorite secondary character because she's smart, caring and clearly wants what's best for Harvey. She puts his needs before her own.

“Listen,” she said, “I can’t tell you what to do. I mean, you of all people, obviously. You don’t listen to anyone. But don’t destroy Harvey. Because you can. You have that power. Love’s different for him. For Harvey-”

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?

Dave – When I read this I knew immediately it was the line I wanted to use, and even though I highlighted a few others within the book, this stood out to me more than any of the others every time I read it.

Our lips touched. It wasn’t our first kiss, but in that moment, I knew the meaning of it all. I knew every word in the dictionary, every color in the rainbow.

Marcy – This comment was spot on from Alice. It’s how anyone in love would feel if they lost their true love.

I’d always heard that when you truly love someone, you’re happy for them as long as they’re happy. But that’s a lie. That’s higher-road bullshit. If you love someone so much, why the hell would you be happy to see them with anyone else? I didn’t want the easy kind of love. I wanted the crazy love, the kind of love that created and destroyed all at the same time.

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?

Dave –  This is from Alice, being blunt as usual.

“We all die. We are dying. I’m just in the fast lane, I guess, dying faster than the rest of you slugs.”

Marcy –  This line is from Alice talking to Harvey.

“I’ll miss you most, Harvey.” She sat up on her elbows. “I don’t know what it will feel like after, but I know I’ll miss you most.”

Website:  http://juliemurphywrites.com/books/

Blog:  http://www.andimjulie.tumblr.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliemurphywrites/app_2415071772

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/andimJULIE

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Side-Effects-Vary-Julie-Murphy/dp/006224535X

Good Reads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15728577-side-effects-may-vary

Obscurity, Thy Name is Author

Obscurity, Thy Name is Author

by Andrea Perry, but really Roger Rosenblatt for the NYTimes Book Review

Not being J.K. Rowling, or a Kardashian, I don't expect to be recognized in a bookstore.  On several occasions I  have been seated at lonely author's table and answered questions, but not about my book.  I have been asked where I bought my shoes, did I know I looked like a character from a soap opera, and did I know where the restrooms were.  But as Roger Rosenblatt recently wrote, you would hope once recognized as an author, the bookstore employees, or even the bookstore customers might be even a little bit impressed.  Not so much.  Without further ado, I will link you with Roger's take on humiliation at pretty much any bookstore reading and autograph session.  And everywhere else as well...



Please Turn to the Chapter on Obscurity...




Author's Note / Roger Rosenblatt
 The New York Times Book Review
 Sunday, May 25, 2014

Coloring Outside the Lines by Judy Press

When I was a kid I loved to color in coloring books, especially if I had a new box of crayons to work with. There was something about the smell of new crayons, with names like, "Granny Smith Apple Green" and "Wild Strawberry Red" that promised hours of creative fun. I also liked the challenge of staying in the lines, although I never thought about what would happen if I disobeyed this unspoken command. It wasn't until around age seven that I gained enough confidence in my drawing skills to put away the coloring books and draw freehand. 
As an art educator, I'm often asked my thoughts about kids using coloring books versus drawing from their imagination. My reply is that I whole-heartedly endorse coloring books, as long as a blank piece of paper and crayons is also available. In the seventies an anti-coloring book was released. It was a fun new take on the traditional coloring books. It  has remained popular and was recently re-issued.
So what do coloring books have to do with writing for children? Sometimes it takes "coloring" outside the lines to come up with a good story. Below I've quoted from an article in the June issue of "Children's Writer" about some new books that test the limits and rules of writing picture books.

"Writer and illustrator Jon Klassen has created handfuls of noteworthy children’s books, and in the process has managed to cut through convention to break new ground. From his much ballyhooed I Want My Hat Back (Candlewick) to the Caldecott Medal winner, This Is Not My Hat (Candlewick) to The Dark (Little, Brown), written by Lemony Snicket, Klassen’s books bust boundaries. Writer’s House Agent Steven Malk represents Klassen, and explains, “I’m often drawn to picture books that many people might describe as quirky or different. For that reason, I think I represent a lot of books that break barriers, but if I had to point to one, I’d have to go with I Want My Hat Back. It’s a great example of a book that contains certain ingredients—in this case, namely the ending—that many people might think would be challenging in the current picture book market, yet it’s become a hugely successful bestseller.”

Oh, what do you see in the sea my friend?

Still Fishing for an Agent?

Kitty Griffin & Natalie Lakosil

When I write to her I call her, Dear Agent, and really there is something nice about having someone on your side.

Writing is a solitary, sometimes lonely ab-session (I say ab-session, not obsession because for me, and for many of my writer friends, stories are something that need to be drained out of us. We become infected with characters and their predicaments and what can a writer do but write, or drain out the story?)

I really wasn't looking for an agent when I found Natalie. I'd successfully negotiated a deal for a book and felt fairly comfortable with life.

But a friend and I decided to go to the New Jersey SCBWI HUGE BIG GIANT conference in Princeton and

WOWZERS!!!

What a conference!

Seriously, there were dozens and dozens of agents and editors 

and

we were all trapped in a hotel together! They couldn't run from us.

But I'd submitted a story that drained serious blood from me. A project years in the making and I knew (I know) it's dark, it's odd, but I submitted my pages and was paired up with this lovely young woman.

And she really liked my writing.

Click. 

She wasn't just patting me on the head and saying, "There, there, crazy writer." No. We talked. We clicked.

I gave her a copy of my latest book. I followed up with a thank you card. 

And when she made an offer to represent---

I took it (although, being the very cautious person I've become, I had Attorney Mary Flower look things over. If you ever need someone who knows kids books and contracts, she's very good and she's in NYC)

So we signed. And now that it's summer and Route 19 writers are off and about the world, one to Ireland, one to Italy...Natalie agreed to do a post about getting an agent.

(See, isn't she lovely?)

ON FINDING AN AGENT

Starting your agent hunt? 

This is the post for you!

There are a lot of ways to find and connect with the perfect agent. And by perfect agent, I don't just mean agent-at-the-biggest-agency-who-will-make-you-an-instant-bestseller-perfect agent.

If that's what you're aiming for, throw it out the window now, please.

The perfect agent for you is one that will serve your career best. That means that the perfect agent fits your ideal communication style, has the contacts and experience (has negotiated contracts or the agency has negotiated contracts) in and for the genre you write (both directly, and indirectly for subsidiary rights), understands what to do with and help guide and direct your vision (are you hybrid? You better pick an agent who knows what that means, and understands digital and self-publishing!), has the time to dedicate to you both editorially and for career development (ok, and yes, for some hand-holding), and will fight for you. Oh, and loves your work. I guess that's important too (kidding - it is).

So how do you find this Perfect Agent?

Start with a list. Check out these websites to begin pulling in names to submit to:

www.querytracker.net

http://www.literaryrambles.com/

#mswl

You can also take a look at the acknowledgements page of similar books to yours - authors will often mention their agent - or pick up a copy of JEFF HERMAN'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHERS, EDITORS AND LITERARY AGENTS, or SCBWI's THE BOOK (if you're a member - and if you're writing for children, you should be a member!)

After you have your list, RESEARCH.

Cyber-stalk them on Twitter. On blogs. On their agency websites. Read interviews about them. Google their name and see if any conference bios pop up - anything that will help you figure out current tastes...and if they meet YOUR criteria (see above). Don't just rely on the sites above to tell you what they're looking for - tastes change, and "historical fiction" may really mean "only post-1850's historical fiction." 

After you research, NETWORK.

Start following the agent on Twitter. On Pinterest. On Google+. Comment on blog posts. Say hello at a conference. I guarantee this is important - because if I get a query from someone who just says "I follow your blog" vs. "I follow you on Twitter, and you know me as @clevertwittername, and we talked about cats who wear hats" I pay a LOT more attention to @clevertwittername. Even the "I follow your blog" submission gets more attention than no mention of why I was chosen to submit to at all!

Finally: submit! As comprehensive as any website or book tries to be, they're always a little outdated. Make sure to verify current submission guidelines for each person on your list before you submit.

It'll help to have The Perfect Book to send this Perfect Agent. But hey, that's for a different post!

Bio: Natalie Lakosil is an agent with the Bradford Literary Agency. 

Follow her on Twitter @Natalie_Lakosil

 or read more about her on her blog www.adventuresinagentland.com.

Natalie M. LakosilBradford Literary Agency
5694 Mission Center Rd. #347
San Diego, CA 92108