Last night I attended a writer’s BOOT CAMP at the Publishers and Agents Seminar at QWC, Brisbane to improve my industry IQ and to investigate ways to have my memoir, Me and Her: a Memoir of Madness published. This is what I learnt:-
• Manuscripts must be completed, revised, edited and polished. √
• When submitting a manuscript, check the online submission guidelines, following them exactly for each and every agent or publisher submission. √
• The one page double-spaced synopsis is not only a summary of the story but must contain a short sales pitch. √
• Reality Check. On average it takes 9 months after signing a contract for your book to be on the shelf.
Lyn Tranter representing Australian Literary Management reminded us how agents are advocates for authors, helping us to find the right publisher, then liaising between the publisher and the author to achieve the best deal whilst retaining their copyright.
Annette Barlow representing Allen and Unwin Publishers explained that you don’t necessarily need to have an Agent to be successful and you can submit popular fiction and non-fiction manuscripts directly to Allen and Unwin via Friday Pitch. Some other publishers are accepting unsolicited submissions in certain genres too but you must adhere to their guidelines.
Who came out trumps? … Kate did!
Kate Eltham CEO of QWC chaired the night asking the incisive questions, that needed to be answered. She gave us valuable websites to check:-
Australian Literary Agents Association
I loved Kate’s comment about creating BOOK KARMA by projecting positive energy out to the world from the moment the manuscript is born.
I’m now sitting cross-legged, eyes shut, meditating positive vibes to the universe that Me and Her will be published! …Ommm … Ommm …
I think for my first book an agent may be the way to go, learn the ropes so to speak. Once you past this milestone, it may be easier, and I’m sure with more confidence, to deal direct with the publisher without the middleman.
This sounds like it was a great night. Thanks, Karen, for summing it up in here. I will print this off for future reference. I’m with Kate – Book Karma – positive energy is the original dust jacket that will travel the distance and deliver your manuscript safe and sound. Like a cloak of invincibility! ‘Me and Her’ already has a home, waiting patiently not far off in the future. There’s a lot to be said for positive projection…
Lynn
I’ll add my positive vibes to yours – I’m certain that wonderful things are in your future. So glad to hear the seminar was so inspiring. I got to sit in a panel orchestrated by Kate on the weekend also – she’s incredibly knowledgeable and so approachable. I could listen to her speak all day!
I’m a regular at ‘Call my Agent’. There are many other wonderful blogging agents out there also, and although most are American, their advice is still spot on.
Hi Katherine, I’m sending out double-whammy positive vibes to you! Good luck with getting yours published too!
Thanks for the notes Karen – much appreciated.
Great post, Karen. Love the idea about projecting positive ‘book karma’. Joanna :))