Ask an Agent - with Penny Holroyde from the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency
This month, Penny Holroyde from the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency has stepped in to answer our readers' questions and also has a few handy tips for those looking for an agent.
On my wish list currently are: an M R James for 10+, the junior novel that makes a child a lifelong reader – Gerald Durrell did it for me, a really funny series for 8-10s that makes the mundane funny, a historical novel (although it doesn’t have to be set in the past, I guess) where the protagonist has a very unusual job – assistant to Charles Darwin – something like that. I’m also looking for some narrative nonfiction – if you can do for children what Wendy Moore and Giles Milton do for adults, I’m really interested in seeing it. And I’m always looking for picture book texts.
Tip: read as many picture books out loud repeatedly to get a sense of how they work and to get a proper understanding of the 32-page construct.
Tip: read some of the agency’s clients’ work and tell the agent why you liked it.
Tip: always be transparent in your submission letter about whether yours is an exclusive (or not) submission.
Tip: don’t let what you perceive to be current industry trends influence your writing too much.
Tip: finish it. What are you going to do if an agent loves it and asks for the full manuscript?!
Tip: while your full manuscript is under consideration, don’t tinker with it! Move on to writing something else and step away from the refresh button.
Tip: let the publisher know that your work is on submission to agents.
Gemma and Molly will be back next month with some more query critiques. If you have a question or a query you'd like critiqued, leave them in the comments below, or send them in to writers@britishscbwi.org.
@pennyholroyde |
www.carolinesheldonillustrators.co.uk
Thanks Penny - I like the idea that an army of people could be reading my novel. Most helpful tips too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to do this, Penny. Great to find out about your current wish-list and to read your tips on writing and submitting.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic advice Penny thank you especially as I was preparing to send my 600 word illustrated book that's not about bedtime or toys to you later today!
ReplyDeleteVery strong advice. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll very interesting. I hope you find your MR James for 10+! I'd love to read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Penny for covering Ask an Agent this month. Very interesting to get another perspective on the process but also really useful to read how agents agree on the big questions like why I need to finish before submitting - so so true! While the general idea for the end of my WiP has stayed the same during the writing, the specifics have changed a dozen or more times.
ReplyDeleteAs a professional biographer and memoir writer, I write biographies and memoirs that tell a person's story, in his own words, and in context. A biography or autobiography is the legacy we leave to the world in a book. resume trends
ReplyDeleteDevasted at death of Elaine Everest - she helped my & others writing tremendously. I have chapters written to carry on the baton of the Woolworths novels but have come to a blank wall so far - please advise how my submission can be read as a tribute to Elaine & as an honourable legacy as she inspired budding writers so much.
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