The Writer's Connection(sm),
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach(sm)

"The Creative Process of Writing is a
Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"

virtualwritingcoach.com
September 2003

In This Issue:

1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Finding the Right Agent
4. Getting into Action


1. Preview

The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.

Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.

2. Publisher's Note

September 2003

Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,

This month we will discuss finding the right agent for you.

3. Finding the Right Agent

Now that your book is completed, edited, and reviewed by a critique group or trusted writer/friend, you're ready to send your book to a publisher. In today's competitive market, most publishers will not even correspond with a new author, and your completed manuscript will find the "slush" pile, forever to decay, until the cleaning crew throws it in the incinerator.

The choices for authors today are many: print-on-demand (POD), self-publish, small, independent presses, specialty publishing houses, or the traditional NY Publishing House. The best way to get your book to an editorial assistant is to find an agenta daunting task, at best. I recommend Jeff Herman's Writer's Guide to Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents. His most recent edition is due out in September, 2003, and you can secure your copy at your local Barnes & Noble. This compendium of information is invaluable because it lists not only the major publishing houses, but university presses, religious publishers, and agents.

You must do your research for the right agent. I didn't do this and landed an agent after fifty rejection letters that was well-meaning and qualified, but didn't have the inside track to New York. She lived in San Diego and her acceptance and appreciation of my writing was a Godsend after being rejected for three months. What I would do differently after nine books is the following: 1) read your favorite authors who write in your genre and go to the acknowledgement page and see who represented them with the publisher; 2) go to writer's conferences and "pitch" your book to agents; 3) practice the art of writing a good query letter; 4) know our audience and competition.

Contemporary, mainstream fiction is the toughest market to break through for a new author. The larger publishing houses have their cadre of writers who publish at least one book annually and the publication dates are well designed a year in advance to maximize reader interest. But don't be discouraged as you throw your rejection letters and postcards into the "No One Likes Me" pile. In Jeff Herman's book, are invaluable tips for selecting the right agent. A sample follows: First, see what kind of authors the agent likes to represent: non-fiction, children's fiction, adult fiction, horror, fantasy, sci fi, suspense thrillers, mysteries, women's issues. Narrow down your list of agent by genre and what titles they have successfully placed in the past year. Check out the publishing houses: are they smaller, independent presses or the "big NY firms."

Average commissions are 15% domestic and 20% foreign rights. Check to see if subsidiary rights (movies, TV, audio tapes) are included. Pay attention to the kind of writers they like to represent. Each agent describes their dream client as well as "the client from hell." The agent also gives information on common mistakes potential clients make when soliciting an agent to represent them. This will give you a clue as to how best to present your query letter.

If you're lucky enough to get a response for more information (only 2% do), then most agents will ask for the first fifty pages. Congratulations, you've made it to Round Two. After about three weeks, you will get a perfunctory rejection letter, an honest appraisal of your work and why the work did not meet their standards, or a request for the entire manuscriptnow your ego is inflated as you send your 350-page manuscript to the agent. In about another month you will get a one page rejection letter or a larger, flat 10x 13 envelop with a contract for representation. Read it carefully and have an attorney/friend advise you on the contract. Most are standard contracts stating the terms of representation, delineation of author and agent responsibilities, and fees. Under no circumstances, do you pay a fee to any agent in advance. Reputable agents work for you and they get paid after your book sells, hopefully, to a major publishing house. My advice is to hold out for an agent in New York City. All the major publishing houses are located in NYC and personal contact is paramount in getting an editorial assistant to read your manuscript.

Next month we will discuss how to get an editorial assistant to fall in love with your book.

4. Getting into Action

"Getting in to Action" is a monthly feature of The Writer's Connection. In this section of our Newsletter, we will discuss action steps the writer can take to improved his/her knowledge base in writing novels.


"This Month's Recommendation(s)"

1. Look through Jeff Herman's book and pick out ten agents who have placed a similar manuscript to yours with a major publisher.

2. Practice writing a one-page query letter to an agent.

3. Visit www.agentresearch.com and follow their advice. They even have a list of good agents and those to stay away from.

Subscription Information:

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Be assured your name and email address are confidential. We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.

Contact Information

Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-893-5405
Fax: 281-893-1735
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail: keith@virtualwritingcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.

Distribution Rights

The Writer's Connection (sm) is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or
distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site.

Republication of The Writer's Connection (sm) in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.

With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.

The Writer's Connection Mission:

The Writer's Connection is dedicated to helping first-time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.

The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.

We would like The Writer's Connection to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to
keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Writer's Connection interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.

Archives

You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection at our archive at http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com/archive.html.

About Keith Barton, Ph.D.

Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and for the past 13 years founded and runs a clinical practice in Northwest Houston. He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.

Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:

Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality

© 2003 The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton.