How do i get an agent or is it easy to self publicate.I am new to all this just finding my feet.
Replies
Living With The Enemy Within.
What seemed to be such a perfect world would soon come smashing down, with a blink of the eye and a strike of lighting. Hi I’m Ricky, just an ordinary 9 year old boy with a loving family, however nobody told me how my life was about to explode into a million pieces and a million emotions.
Chapter 1 Monday 24th august, this is the day I decided I had to put pen to paper, anything to try and keep these thoughts and feelings from making me explode. I had to keep my family safe, had to keep them my main priority. I’d never had any of these thoughts or feelings before until a few days ago, no one will ever understand what it feels like to have these thoughts and feelings pacing through my mind. I think they are starting to spiral out of control. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to feel powerless, so vulnerable, so scared that not even someone next to you could hear your loudest screams, I have. I had started to feel like an outsider looking in, almost like someone is lurking behind me, sending shivers down my spine but no one was ever there. My behaviour started to become more erratic, more dangerous with thoughts that could tear my family apart. A thought such a car gliding towards you and wanting to step out in front of it, anything to stop these extreme thoughts from progressing. I had started to have thoughts that no ordinary 9 year old boy would have, thoughts that nobody should have, I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone not even my worst enemy.
In short, you must first finish your piece and it must be the best it can possibly be. You will only get one shot.
If your piece is ready, put together your elevator pitch. Imagine you're in an elevator (lift) with the agent/publisher you are contacing, and you have until the top floor to sell your work to them. Therefore, you should write down everything you want to say, prioritise the points, then cut-cut-cut. Use your writing skills to make the pitch as snappy as possible. Then put it to paper/document file.
Most agents/publishers want a covering letter that should usually contain this pitch and some stipulate one page but most will take two. Whatever they say don't go over their requirement.
Finally, though this should really be first, look up agents/publishers (this website is pretty good for that) to make certain you don't send it to someone who isn't interested in the genre. Oh yes - don't expect a quick reply. Allow six weeks to three months. Again, this site has lots of interesting info on this. Check the blogs and also the twitter feed.
Good luck and how about posting a section for us to see?
Living With The Enemy Within.
What seemed to be such a perfect world would soon come smashing down, with a blink of the eye and a strike of lighting. Hi I’m Ricky, just an ordinary 9 year old boy with a loving family, however nobody told me how my life was about to explode into a million pieces and a million emotions.
Chapter 1 Monday 24th august, this is the day I decided I had to put pen to paper, anything to try and keep these thoughts and feelings from making me explode. I had to keep my family safe, had to keep them my main priority. I’d never had any of these thoughts or feelings before until a few days ago, no one will ever understand what it feels like to have these thoughts and feelings pacing through my mind. I think they are starting to spiral out of control. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to feel powerless, so vulnerable, so scared that not even someone next to you could hear your loudest screams, I have. I had started to feel like an outsider looking in, almost like someone is lurking behind me, sending shivers down my spine but no one was ever there. My behaviour started to become more erratic, more dangerous with thoughts that could tear my family apart. A thought such a car gliding towards you and wanting to step out in front of it, anything to stop these extreme thoughts from progressing. I had started to have thoughts that no ordinary 9 year old boy would have, thoughts that nobody should have, I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone not even my worst enemy.
Well Thankyou Paul i will post part off my story it is true life.
Thanks for posting.
Well Ricahrd - the $64,000 question.
In short, you must first finish your piece and it must be the best it can possibly be. You will only get one shot.
If your piece is ready, put together your elevator pitch. Imagine you're in an elevator (lift) with the agent/publisher you are contacing, and you have until the top floor to sell your work to them. Therefore, you should write down everything you want to say, prioritise the points, then cut-cut-cut. Use your writing skills to make the pitch as snappy as possible. Then put it to paper/document file.
Most agents/publishers want a covering letter that should usually contain this pitch and some stipulate one page but most will take two. Whatever they say don't go over their requirement.
Finally, though this should really be first, look up agents/publishers (this website is pretty good for that) to make certain you don't send it to someone who isn't interested in the genre. Oh yes - don't expect a quick reply. Allow six weeks to three months. Again, this site has lots of interesting info on this. Check the blogs and also the twitter feed.
Good luck and how about posting a section for us to see?
Cheers,
PabloJ.