What has luck got to do with it?
In a word, everything. I could have kept copies and lists of all my paper and on-line submissions, but in the end, I decided that would be too depressing and weigh me down; so I cannot give you an exact count the number of submissions I sent out; though by the time I had written round prospective publishers and agents, the total number must have been around sixty. Luckily, I found my darling agent in the right place at the right time and on the lookout for a book like mine. I call that lucky. The success I had so long hoped for, came along -as is so often the case – when I least expected it.
Everyone can help luck to smile on them by researching the market with care. It takes courage to send out submissions, but even so, we always have time to make sure that our enquiries are word perfect, grammatically accurate, polite and to the point. There are always ways in which we can refine our searches, and be clear that we have made an attempt to assess whether our work and the agent we have in mind are a good match.
Are you thinking about trying your luck with the larger agencies? Then find out who in the most likely agencies is looking for work of your genre and actively hoping to expand their lists. Search for agents who are interested in new writers or emerging talent or for agents who are looking to build their lists. Address your submission to them by name.
The Writers’ Workshop has a comprehensive list of agents which you can select from, according to your genre and preferences. For example, you may want to search for small agencies who are looking for science fiction only, are interested in new writers and actively seeking manuscripts. I found my agent by working through the list there; and I have found The Writers’ Workshop to be a mine of useful information and ideas, and their lists and articles are updated regularly.
The best of luck, and thanks for reading!
(Tom@HK http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracewong/ – wikimedia.org)
Please share:
June 20, 2016 @ 3:31 pm
I have to say that you must be applauded for sticking with it Fran – I’m not sure I would have had your staying power. I do hope that you continue to have success – I’m looking forward to your next book.
June 20, 2016 @ 4:52 pm
Dear Diane, thanks so much for your comment and your encouragement. I’m not sure I’m to be applauded, as in many ways I had come so far – and have since come so much further – that something in me simply refused to accept defeat. And, with each attempt I have grown both more stoical and more determined.
Bless you, always! 🙂
June 20, 2016 @ 3:59 pm
Extraordinary, Fran! Your determination and discipline, that is. Though it doesn’t surprise me a bit. I’m with Diane Dickson–looking forward to your next book/books!
Elouise
June 20, 2016 @ 4:54 pm
Dear Elouise
It’s so kind of you to pop in and leave your comments. Thank you. 🙂 I’m looking forward to my next books too. Can you tell me how this one is going to work out? 😉 xxx
June 20, 2016 @ 7:34 pm
Thank you, Fran! Can I ask: did you have point in mind when you would have stopped submitting? And did you read that your eventual agent was looking for your kind of book somewhere, or did you find that out later? I am really enjoying your recent posts.
June 20, 2016 @ 7:53 pm
Hi Claire!
Thanks for commenting, and for sharing these posts. I really appreciate that so much. I had no point in mind when I would have stopped submitting, no. I didn’t ever sit down and decide, ‘right, if this one doesn’t work, I’m retiring’ though I’ve been very tempted, sometimes!
I would not have stopped submitting, as such, until I had tried everything I knew to try (and I was lucky enough to be able to stop near the top of the list published by Writers’ Workshop). Hope always seemed to be waiting for me, tantalizingly out of sight, just beyond the next submission… And, as you probably know, as well as being essentially an optimist, I am extremely stubborn and hate to admit defeat.
I did not read that Isabel was looking for submissions, but I had in mind that I would prefer a smaller agency, and having become rather good at knowing what didn’t work, I thought we might be a good fit. Isabel’s website said she welcomed submissions of narrative non-fiction, which is my first genre.
I suspect that agents do not often advertise when they are looking for scripts – they don’t need to! But that sole proprietors, running their own business and making their own decisions, can and will back a single submission on a hunch. They have that freedom, though I realise that they are all getting busier and busier.
Thanks for such interesting questions! 🙂