Services: 'Beat the Rejection' Clinic

‘Rejection.’ It’s the one word writers dread the most. And when it’s finally stopped ringing in the ears and making the eyes water, writers divide into two camps. Those who abandon their dreams ... and those who hold fast to them and seek to improve.

Understanding the hopes and fears of writers is what has made The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook into the indispensable guide to the publishing business that it is. Our Beat the Rejection Clinic will be an equally vital support network for those who do not get their books accepted first time.

This is an opportunity to discover why your work was rejected. You will have a 30 minute one-to-one meeting with a literary agent who has fully appraised your submission (letter, synopsis and first three chapters). The session will deliver valuable insight into why it failed to ignite this time, how you might be able to turn that around and who you should target next. You will depart not only with a viable action plan but also the unvarnished truth of your situation as seen from the perspective of a publishing insider.

"The agent went above and beyond what I had expected." Freya Morris

"Jenny has a very genuine and supportive approach and I felt she was interested in my ideas."Susan Rollinson

"...the reaction of an Agent was very useful, particularly in spotting a couple of flaws that I suspected, but - after several drafts - no longer had the enthusiasm to fix." Sean Barker

You get the following:

• A 30 minute one-to-one with an agent
• Practical examples of successful submissions.
• Inspiration and encouragement.
• Lessons from a top literary agent.
• Advice on 'targeting' as well as content.

At Writers & Artists, we know the value of the tangible. So the Rejection Clinic is more than a talking shop.

You will take away clear action points. First, a detailed list of common mistakes and how to avoid repeating them. Next, you will receive a list of potential agents and a strategy for targeting those who might be interested in your book. And, depending on which stage the agent thinks you have reached in the writing process, you will be guided to take up the service that is most suitable for you: Which Publishing Route to Take; Mid-way Review; or Honing Your MS Submission.

For May 2013 Jenny Savill and Madeleine Milburn will be hosting our Beat the Rejection clinics.

Jenny Savill

Jenny Savill is a literary agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates Ltd where she represents authors of fiction and non-fiction writing for both children and adults. Her background in working creatively with young people, coupled with a life-long love of children’s books, has led Jenny to build a growing roster of children’s and YA authors at ANA.  Jenny likes to work editorially with authors and is on the look-out for authentic voices, strong plots and magnificent storytelling. She loves the idea of extraordinary things happening in ordinary settings and is particularly fond of stories that are offbeat yet accessible. In addition to YA and children’s fiction and non-fiction, Jenny is interested in finding new voices in women’s fiction, historical fiction, memoir and narrative non-fiction.

Madeleine Milburn

Literary Agent, Madeleine Milburn, was born in London.  Since graduating from the University of St Andrews with a degree in English Literature and Language in 2004, Madeleine has worked for the independent publishing company Trojan Books in Berlin and the oldest literary agency in the UK, A P Watt Ltd, where she specialised in foreign rights.  Prior to having her own Agency, Madeleine was the Head of Rights and a Literary Agent at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV & Film Agency where she built a strong list of authors over five years.  She was also Deputy MD of the Children’s Literary Agency.

Madeleine is interested in all types of popular, literary and genre fiction including women’s, psychological suspense, crime and thrillers, comedy, general, narrative non-fiction, children’s books, teen, young adult and cross-over.

The process begins when you make book your appointment, make your payment and send us electronically:

• Your submission letter.
• A one-two page synopsis.
• Three chapters (to a maximum of 10,000 words).

The synopsis should deliver as much of the following as possible:

• The genre you think the book is in.
• A summary of your story in one paragraph.
• Elaborate on your plot over three or four paragraphs.
• A sense of who the main characters are.
• A sense of how you’ve written it – first person, third person, more mixed.
• If you were a bookseller recommending your title, which author or book would you compare it to?

It is important to provide as much information as you feel is needed in order that the clinic with the agent is of maximum practical value to you.

It would smooth the process if the pages of your submission are numbered (and named, where appropriate).  We would prefer that you use a standard typeface such as Times New Roman in 12pt and double-spaced.  It is essential that you submit your work as a Word.doc file please.

The key steps are as follows:

• To book a place, apply now
• Book a slot by making a payment.
• Then submit your letter, synopsis and first three chapters.