FROM SELF-PUBLISHED TO PUBLISHED: Is it possible to land a top agent when you’ve self-published or published independently?
3 years ago I set out on a dream to purposely be one of those rare writers who self-published a book and landed a deal with a major publisher and I’m happy to say I achieved that goal. A lot of writers ask me if there was one thing I learned that I would advise them on achieving that goal too and I tell them GET THE RIGHT AGENT.
The right agent can speed up the process tremendously. To give you an example, before I signed with Warner Books my manuscript had been rotting on their slush pile desk for 3 months. The moment I got an agent they read it over the weekend and had an offer within 7 days. Do you see my point?
Editors receive hundreds and in some cases thousands of manuscripts a month. They need some way to cut down the process. They need someone with credibility to filter the manuscript and sift the wheat from the shaft and that’s one of the reasons they like to work with top agents.
But how does a self-published author or any writer for that matter, get a top literary agent. Two words, a query letter. Not just any query letter, but one that is crafted in such a way that presents you in the best light. A difference between a query letter you might get from reading a couple of books on query letters and one crafted by a professional can be the difference between signing a deal with a major publisher and getting a pile of rejection letters.
After interviewing quite a few top agents, I really got inside the inner workings of an agent: what they look for, what they want to hear and what immediately turns them off. I started helping quite a few writers craft their query letters and found that I had a knack for it. So much so that every single author I ever helped had requests from top agents for their manuscript or self-published book. Most had at least 15 agents request their books some more than 80 agents. One even had 3 television producers offer her a deal
without even reading the book, based on the query letter alone.
Here are a few key things to remember when crafting your query letter:
1)Grab them from the first sentence. This can be in the form of a question, a logline or even the opening line introducing yourself. It can also be in the form of telling them who referred you.
2) Get to the point. The most successful query letters I’ve written for other authors are short. They are about 1/2 a page long. If you say too much you’ll bore them, if you say too little you will not pique their interest. It has to be the right balance.
3) Remember agents, although often passionate about reading and books, are really only glorified sales people. Many do not make hourly wages or salary. They rely on 100% commission to put dinner on the table. So they need product, as much product as possible.
4) Here’s something to think about. Most good agents don’t want to sell just one book, they want someone who will stick by them and who want a long-term career. This doesn’t mean you need to mention you have an 18 part series you’ve written but do let them know you want to work with them for the long term.
5) Stop thinking about your book as “art” or as your “baby” and start thinking about it as product that needs to be sold.
6) Think about what makes you different and special. Think about the “so what?” factor. Assume they’ve heard it all before (and they probably have). Is there something about your day job that makes you unique to write this particular book? What about where you grew up or how you grew up? Are you a teacher? A single father? A part time publicist? What about you makes you special?
7) Close your letter with a simple brief statement such as: “If you would like to see a copy of my book please feel free to contact me.” And then leave your phone number and email address.
Keep these tips in mind when crafting your query letter and you’ll be leaps and bounds above the rest.
Jeff Rivera is the award-winning author of Forever My Lady (Warner Books) For more information on writing query letters that will get agents begging you for your manuscript contact Jeff@JeffRivera.com. The first 50 authors to respond will receive a free critique of their query letter.
Last 5 posts by Jeff Rivera
- From Self-Published To Published - The 10 Deadly Sins of Writing a Query Letter - July 8th, 2008
- Create Web Movie Trailer for your Book on a Shoe-String - June 6th, 2006
May 30th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I just want to thank you for the information that you share. I know this will help me as I pursue gettting my book(s) published.
God Bless!!!
May 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I would like to learn more about the process you took at becoming a published Author. Janice Reaves
May 30th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Jeff is right on the money about a good agent. He doesn’t emphasize enough, however, all the hard work and effort he put into self-publishing his own book and then making it successful. Securing an agent is much easier if you have a finished product with a proven track record. Modern publishing options make this a viable technique.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I truly like the information you shared regarding agents and query letters.
Yes, a book is a product that should be sold. I’ve come across authors who are excited about getting their book published but never think about the promo/marketing tactics that needs to be in place to produce revenue.
I am interested in presenting to my clients information about obtaining an agent to pass their book on to major publishers.
Thanks for your time.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Dear Jeff Rivera,
Thanks for the seven pointers for traditional publishing, with author copyrights. You are someone who says something in eMail. With eMail highwater marks to 150 spam a day, we do not need more. In fact, I am surprised yours got through.
Sincerely,
jacklyn (E.L.) shaw,
M.Ed., Admin.-Author
http://www.dynamiqs.biz
pob 3733
Seal Beach, CA 90740
May 30th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Jeff, how do I get a listing of names and address to send my query letter too?
May 30th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for talking with me at the Missouri Writers Guild conference in Columbia. I am sending you three chapters of a novel I have recently finished titled, “Journey to Bagnell.” This is the story of a man consumed with failure and guilt, attempting to start anew. His rebellion at the treatment of a Negro workman in the 1930’s initiates incidents that only pile on more guilt. As does his relationship with the workman’s wife. With his heart in conflict with itself, he is faced with the anguish of making a moral choice and to renew feelings of self importance to start a new and meaningful life.
I’ve included a synopsis of the story.
While serving as an editor, publisher and columnist, our newspaper won numerous awards, as did my columns. My background includes writing and editing technical manuals for the Honeywell Corporation. Included is a list of my four published novels and one true crime book and their ISBNs. Under separate cover I am sending you a copy of “Limb of the Judas Tree,” which you can peruse to judge my story telling and writing ability.
Please contact me if you have any further questions.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Jeff,
Is it possible to still get an agent after you have already published your book? I could sure use a new publisher. I need to know if you can help me. I have a good book but I am also an unknown. Book title: Our Lady of Victory, the Saga of an African-American Catholic Community by Shirley Harris-Slaughter.
My current publisher is iUniverse now Authorhouse. They are a print on demand publisher and although I am distributed through the right channels, I am having problems with smaller book stores and its impossible to make any money unless you sell a lot of books.
May 31st, 2008 at 10:41 am
Jeff,
I would LOVE for you to critique my query letter. I’m on my 3rd self-published book and have had many requests, but no agent yet. Thank you.
May 31st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Hi Jeff: Your article on the agent “query letter” was most helpful and I am getting to mine soon as I have two books at a self-publisher (will be POD types) to be completed within 1 month. They certainly take long (7-8 months each). I am considering “Booksurge” (who sent me this article) to promote my books once published. Like yourself, I would am eager to see if I could land a traditional publisher for my series of books (7 so far) on a theme of photographs from around the world. I am a world traveling teacher, avid trained photographer, poet, artists, and now soon to be author with one upcoming novel as well. Currently I am living and working in China where my first 3 photo series books are on. I am still teaching art and will continue to do so until I can make enough money to retire and just concentrate on my books but I would like to deal with only one agent/traditional book publisher. Thanks for your article and I hope to hear form you soon. Please defer to my simple (and probably boring, ughh) self-made web page for more information about me if you need to. Sincerely ours, Miss Josie Quintana
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:37 am
Hi Jeff:
I self published after sending out many query letters. I did great with my first printing of 500 books here in Lake Tahoe,Ca. I am now on my second edition, and this time I had the book professionaly edited with RJcommunications, and will have them do the printing, and layout of the book. I have lots of fantastic marketing ideas, and have contacts from the first printing of my book. Do you think I still need an agent?
Thanks,
Shanti Milan
Get Ready Cause Here I come
June 14th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I would like to know if you know of any agents that are accepting poetry manuscripts/published books? can you help me find an agent ? Also congratulations to you on your success. I wish for you nothing missing ,nothing lost ,never lacking and nothing broken. I wish for you exceeding and abundant riches and wealth in every area of your life for the rest of your life. I also just wanted to share with
you my three books entitled,”A Word In
Season”@xlibris.com,”A Now Word In
Season”@PublishAmerica.com and “A Now Word
From Above”@Amazon.com .All three books can be
purchased at your local Book retailers.I would also like
to share with you a poem from my 4th manuscript. The
poem is entitied ,”Love Takes Time”. Love
Takes Time: Love takes time. When others won’t
,love will… Love takes time to assure that every wound
in our lives are perfectly healed. Love takes time never
to take advantage when we are weak. Love is our strength
to bring us to the place where we are eternally
complete. Love takes time to listen with an attentive
ear. Love is always present when others disappear. Love
takes time. These are the books I’m seeking help . I also have poetry @ PoetrySoup.com, Tvone.com as well as PoetryShowcase.com Thanks for your help , James Hayes
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Hey everyone, I just realized so many people had responded to my article on query letters, didn’t realize that. Well, please feel free to email me with any questions. Jeff@JeffRivera.com
August 6th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I am a ‘literary agent,’ ‘proof reader,’ ‘typesetter subcontractor to PDF files,’ for book printing, actor’s agent and literary consultant. I’d like to hear from you, at my e-mail address, above. I have a set rate for ‘editing, proof reading, typesetting and consultation.’ Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Brenda A. Wise, B.A. Wise Literary Consultants.
August 17th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Thanks Jeff…
An informative article on an important topic. I’ve not considered using an agent, but certainly will if and when I decide to cease self-publishing and have a professional publishing company do it.
Regards,
Jonathan