An Agent Speaks, Part 3

What is your advice on unpublished and unagented authors trying to get published in e-publishing?

Realize that your work must sparkle because although some e-publishers will release works that might be a bit out of the box, they are swamped with submissions and must be choosy. If money is a concern for you, note that I am not aware of any e-publishers paying advances at this time.


To follow up, what about sending to publishers that will accept unsolicited submissions?

As with any publisher, be familiar with and respectful of their guidelines. Study their books to get a feel for what they release. Be patient as you await a response.


Would you tell us about the Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense Market and some important things we should do to make our stories marketable for that market?

Again, choose the line you want to target and read within that line. For Love Inspired, I recommend RETURN TO LOVE by Betsy St. Amant. http://www.amazon.com/Return-Steeple-Inspired-Large-Print/dp/0373814186/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244670197&sr=8-1

For the suspense line, I recommend A SILENT TERROR by Lynette Eason. http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Trilogy-Steeple-Inspired-Suspense/dp/0373443315/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244670304&sr=1-3

From reading, you will learn their parameters and what they expect from their writers. Any time you’re writing in a genre, you have to learn the basic formula and be creative within that formula. I think some of the most talented writers on the planet write in genre, because you have to work hard to present readers with a fresh story.

What do you suggest to your unpublished clients that they should do to become better writers?

Keep practicing your craft. Find other writers who will be honest and help you hone your story. Help them with their stories, too. Keep reading.

How can pubs improve their writing so they can advance to the next level in their careers?

Know that each book has to be as good or better than your last book, so be relentless in quality. Be appreciative of your fans.


Gina, I have enjoyed this time with you and your blog readers. I hope my answers have inspired and encouraged you all!

Blessings,
Tamela

An Agent Speaks, Part 2

Howdy! I hope y'all had a great Do-Nothing Tuesday!

Now here's Tamela...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AGENT/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
Thanks, Gina, for having me here. Because the agent is your gateway to publishers, keep the lines of communication open and choose an agent you feel you can enjoy working with, and who captures your vision for your work and your career. Now on to specific questions:

How often do you like to communicate with your client? How often is too often for your client to contact you?

I don’t have a hard and fast rule about communication. I do my best to be accessible. My hope is that my authors feel they can easily have their questions and concerns addressed without unreasonable delay.


Do you write limited contracts?

Yes, on a case-by-case basis.


Are you involved in career building? If so, how deeply?

In my view, career-building is a major part the agent’s work. Even mid-career writers need guidance to build on previous success. I talk with each author about career goals and work accordingly.


How much feedback do you give an author on her work?

I work with each author on a case-by-case basis. Some authors want and need lots of feedback, while others don’t. Because I am a published author myself, my writers appreciate the fact that I can offer detailed and specific feedback.


Will you give me a detailed list of who you sent my manuscript to? And who rejected it?

Yes, I keep authors in the loop. I feel they have a right to know what’s happening.


What should I expect from you at a conference? Should I make an appointment to see you or just say hi in the hall? Will we get together and discuss my career or is the conference for you to find new people and we should chat via e-mail?

I love meeting with writers at conferences and reconnecting in person with writers I’m already working with. This year my plans are to be at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference in August (http://www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/) and at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference (http://www.acfw.com/conference/ ) in September. I am happy to take appointments to talk about your career or simply to meet you, whether you’re ready for an agent or not. Likewise, I’m happy to chat via email if that works better for you. In essence, I have no hard and fast rules about how I like to meet writers.


How does a new author know if his/her agent is doing a good job?

If your agent is representing your work with enthusiasm and placing it in front of appropriate editors, I’d say that agent is doing his or her best to gain a sale for you.


When is it time to sever the relationship with an agent and how should it be done?

That’s not an easy question to answer because agent/client relationships vary. However, if you feel your agent has exhausted all the markets and/or is not enthusiastic about your work, it might be time for a change. Before deciding, please talk with your agent and give him or her a chance to explain why your work doesn’t seem to be garnering the interest of editors. Chances are by the point you are feeling dissatisfied, your agent is also distressed. Your conversation may result in an amicable parting and mutual feeling of relief. Avoid surprising your agent with a certified letter or unexpected phone call announcing termination without giving any hint of dissatisfaction first. The most successful partings are handled with courtesy and respect on both sides.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tomorrow: Miscellaneous Questions

An Agent Speaks, Part 1

Tamela Hancock Murray's Official Bio

Tamela, a Virginia native, is an accomplished writer who has written many inspirational romance novels and novellas and several non-fiction books on Bible trivia for children and adults. She is honored to write for the inspirational market and enjoys encouraging new and established authors. She earned her degree in Journalism (with honors) from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Tamela is based at Hartline Literary Agency's office in Manassas, Virginia.

Tamela Hancock Murray's Un-Official Bio

Tamela is married to John, her real life knight in shining armor (I've met him so I can agree with her description) and is the mother of two lovely daughters. She has the accent of a native Virginian, which makes sense because she grew up in Victoria, Virginia. She graduated from Lynchburg College with honors in Journalism then later when on to serve as a Congressional intern and as an intern with the U.S. Department of State, where her duties included writing daily news briefs for the Secretary of State. She's won the prestigious RWA's Inspirational Readers Choice Award.

When writing her newest release, LOVE FINDS YOU IN MAIDEN, NORTH CAROLINA, she took her family to Maiden to see the scenery for themselves.

The Roaring Twenties come to a very small town… At a time when most American girls are dreaming of bobbed hair and flapper dresses, Hestia Myatt dreams only of becoming a doctor. On a visit to Maiden, North Carolina, to care for an ailing aunt, Hestia becomes reacquainted with a handsome former classmate, Booth Barrington. Things are going well for Hestia until her glamorous cousin, Selene, mysteriously arrives from New York. Selene turns the heads of every bachelor in town, and she seems to have set her sights on Booth. Will Hestia become resentful of her cousin, who can talk of nothing but speakeasies and wild soirées? Or can Hestia’s maidenly influence convince Selene to change her world-weary ways?

The Love Finds You series gives readers a taste of local life across the U.S. They weave fictional romance stories with compelling local history of American towns with intriguing names.

Please welcome my fantabulous agent--and, as each of her clients would also say, friend--Tamela Hancock Murray!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~

First of all, I want to say how thrilled I was to speak with the ACFW chapter in Richmond, Virginia, last Saturday. They are a warm and welcoming group of writers. I enjoyed my time with them. Thank you, Gina, for inviting me!

Gina told me she wanted to post a few helpful tips on her blog as a result of my talk. We covered quite a few topics, so Gina has graciously agreed that I can be her guest for more than one day. Today I’ll talk about submissions, based on the group’s questions:
　 　
Once you have decided you have received a submission and decided that you like the story and the writing itself, what other attributes are you looking for in that writer when deciding whether to represent him/her?

I enjoy working with enthusiastic authors willing to write for the current market. Along with guidance I am happy to offer, writers can learn by reading and studying books already released by the houses they hope will publish their stories. I appreciate writers who display a great attitude and spirit, along with realistic expectations.
　
If the writer's background establishes her credibility to write as an expert on her topic or the characters in her story (nurse, doctor etc.), does that have any influence on your decision to represent the writer if you like her story and the writing is passable/likely to improve?

The writing itself really has to be engaging, particularly in this market. Credentials are always a plus.
　
When you receive queries what is the most important thing to you outside the story?

A professional presentation. Give me as much relevant information as you can to help me make a good decision for both of us.

What would a newbie need to do to get noticed?

I look for a great story that makes sense for the editors I work with. Contest wins are a plus though not critical. Whether or not you are published, a recommendation from one of my current authors will get you a serious look.
　
Has the economy fall affecting the number of manuscripts publishers are accepting from first time authors?

In my experience, publishers are being cautious. However, opportunities are still plentiful.

What subject material in fiction is most sought after by publishers; particularly in the Christian fiction genre?
　
At the moment, I am seeing the most interest in historical works. The 1800s is a popular time period. Interest in Amish novels is strong.
　
If you receive a story that you KNOW isn't selling in the market but is written great will you still take it on?

No. For me to send work to editors that I know they won’t acquire wastes everyone’s time. However, I will usually ask the author if he or she has any other work I can review.

Can you name any pet peeves on submissions (other than not following the guidelines)

I know a pet peeve that aggravates just about every agent: A query emailed to innumerable agents at once. I can see 100 addresses in the address field, and I can get a clue from "undisclosed recipients" so a blind cc doesn’t work.

Along that line, make the query personalized. If you do submit to multiple agents, write to each individually. Please address the query specifically to the agent and spell the agent’s name correctly. You’d think I wouldn’t need to state something so obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many queries I received addressed to "Agent" or with my name hyphenated. Taking care with such details shows me you will be careful about your work at all times.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thanks, Tamela, for giving us some insight into querying agents.

Hey, you fantabulous blog readers, come back tomorrow. She'll talk about the agent/client relationship.