10- Submitting a book to a literary agent

So after reading all of my blogs you still think you should try the traditional route… or you have published a few times and think you would like to try submitting to an agent.

You can submit to either publishers (beware of Vanity publishers) or you can submit to a literary agent. I chose the former.

Whatever you choose, take a big deep breath. Because it is time consuming. Not only does it take a while to submit, but you also then have to wait for responses… and wait. And wait some more.

And here is where you must also be strong. Because most of the responses will be no. I am not saying not to try… you should try! But I am saying to be patient and kind to yourself when your book is refused.

Have you ever seen the movie “The Help”? It is an incredible movie! And the author was refused over 60 times… which I used to think was a lot! But now I know it is sadly typical.

But enough about the outcome! You want to submit!

The first thing to do is look for agents that work in your subject. I found a great list for children book authors on Reedsy. A simple online search may help as well!

I also recommend signing up for Query Tracker… many agents are on here and you can also be notified of if they accept or refuse you here as well. To learn more please click here.

First and foremost, you MUST have a query letter. This is about submitting so I will not get into the specifics of how to create one. ( I may do a blog in the future about that.) In the meantime, there are as always lots of resources online to learn how to do a great letter! When you finish you MUST ask your editor or someone knowledgeable to review it. You do not have an editor? Then you honestly should not be submitting. Or publishing in my opinion. It is so easy to make a mistake or make grammar errors that you need to have an editor. If you do have one, you can submit your letter to them for help. Or you can find someone online to help you write one. It must be polished, or they will not take a look at your book. It is difficult enough to get an agent as it is, do you really want to waste your time submitting a letter with errors? I doubt it…

Once your letter is ready to go, I would also have some images for examples. And you also need the text of your book without images for them to read.

I found that the agents all had different requirements. So I kept a PowerPoint file with all my information open in the background so I could cut and paste. It takes a while to submit to alot of agents… being ready helps to get it done much quicker.

Here are some of the things I had ready:

A low resolution file for submission. *Many had limits of files size, so you may have to revise your file a bit.

A captivating Synopsis of your book

The audience for your book

Your biography

Pitch- why you think your book will be a success!

Some images for examples

This is just a short list; you may find other requirements as well. Again, having them all ready in a document so I could copy them, and paste was a big help!

I also kept a list of email addresses and names in case I wanted to submit in the future. And this also was a record of whom I had submitted to.

Lastly, I made a folder in my email account for “Queries”, so I could put all my refusals in there! I am smiling while writing that because it is all you can do… smile and move forward.

Being an artist or an author is not for the faint hearted. You are refused at every turn with small successes. Sometimes it pays off but mostly that is after years of working at it. And creating and publishing lots of books. So please do not get discouraged. Dust yourself off and get back to work creating another book!

As always I hope that you find my blog helpful.

If you do, please let me know, I would love to hear from you!

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More blogs to help you self-publish!

1-Do you need help beginning to self publish? Click here!

2-A publisher has contacted you? Are they a Vanity publisher? Click here to learn more!

3-Ready to start your files? Here is a blog that will help you set them up! Click here!

4-Need tips for finding an illustrator for your book? Click here!

5-What is a blurb? Click here for help creating one!

6-Feeling overwhelmed? This post will help you start your book… Click here

7-Your book is done! Do you need an author page? Yes you do! Click here to see the reasons why.

7a How to upload your book to KDP… the actual platform that you publish from! Click here to visit!

8- Your masterpiece is complete! Now how do you get a printed copy? Click here to see your options.

9- If you have published on amazon you need to advertise! Click here for tips!

10- Want to submit your book to a literary agent? Click here for info!

Need an illustrator? I have illustrated many books of my own and other authors. Please visit my website by clicking here, to contact me or see examples of my work.

If I have helped you and you feel inclined to purchase a book of mine, please click here to visit amazon. Thank you!

I am also available for hire to help you publish! If interested, please contact me at artistmarnie@yahoo.com.