Ask a Literary Agent

Should I query an agent with several books at once?

Happy Birthday America

I’d like to introduce you to a new blog about writing that I have come across, and the blog is titled storyfix . Imagine storyfix, and imagine who out there that’s aspiring doesn’t need their story fixed?

You can read a marvelous interview by Jo-Anne Vandermeulen on her blog “Conquer All Obstacles,” about Larry Brooks and what his aspirations are, for the wanna-be author like you and me.

Larry shares such great tips on getting published in his post like this one, “ Reprise: What Are My Odds of Getting Published?


You can follow Larry on Twitter and FaceBook


I do hope you find his articles as intuitive and helpful as I do.
Happy Writing!

I’ve been on sabbatical

I’ve been on sabbatical for the last month and a half, not a vacation in the sense of the luxurious beaches filled with enjoyment, but computer-less and in pain. It’s a two part scenario, first off my BFF (for the puter has become the aged and demented best friend), and not having one and borrowing airtime from family and friends is like standing outside the bathroom door waiting your turn, while you do the pee dance hoping beyond hope they will soon finish so you can have your turn.

Finally, I’ve purchased a new(BFF) best friend (puter), and hopefully it will last as long as its counterpart. Also, in the month of May, I took a leave from Sweet Hearts of the Rodeo due to arthritis, a constant bud that will not leave your side, but I am managing to keep his burst of pickiness (which is sort of like a prickly pear cactus stingy and sticky) under control.

Getting back into what I love, writing, learning the craft of writing, and reading about the subject of writing, I came across several good articles on the topic, and want to share with you the links.

Alexandra Sokoloff’s Blog article Story Breakdown – THE MIST (Act One)

Here is a link to Stephen King’s website where you can review the synopsis for his novella “The Mist”.

She talks about foreshadowing, now in literary terms that means the reader is tipped off as to what comes later.

What Ms. Sokoloff does is breakdown the ingredients of masterful story telling in several sequences.

Another good article I came across today on Rachelle Gardner’s Blog Rants & Ramblings, where she talks about Query Letters in “A Funny Thing Happened...On the Way to my Query Box” a must read for those wanting to get published.

Ms. Gardner Monday June 15, 2009 post about the dreaded need for an author platform.
The Dreaded Author Platform

Last week at the Write-To-Publish conference, the one topic that kept coming up in conversations, panels, and workshops was AUTHOR PLATFORM. Yes, the hated p-word!

Another good article I came upon this fine Monday morning is by Michael Hyatt titled “The Sovereignty of Readers” you can read.

This is a quote that Michael Hyatt shared of P.J. O’Rourke’s

"Usually, writers will do anything to avoid writing. For instance, the previous sentence was written at one o'clock this afternnon. It is now a quarter to
four. I have spent the past two hours and forty-five minutes sorting my neckties by width, looking up the word /paisly/ in three dictionaries,attempting to find the town of that name on /The New York Times Atlas of the World/ map of Scotland,sorting my reference books by width, trying to get the bookcase to stop wobbling by stuffing a matchbook cover under its corner,dialing the telephone number on the matchbook cover to see if I should take computer courses at night, looking at the computer ads in the newspaper and deciding to buy a computer because writing seems to be so difficult on my old Remington, reading an interesting article on sorghum farming in Uruguay that was in the newspaper next to the computer ads, cutting that and other interesting articles out of the newspaper, sorting -- by width -- all the interesting articles I've cut out of newspapers recently, fastening them neatly together with paper clips and making a very attractive paper clip necklace and bracelet set, which I will present to my girlfriend as soon as she comes home from the three-hour low-impact aerobic workout that I made her go to so I could have some time alone to write."[P.J. O'Rourke]

Janet Reid’s Blog article on Ineffective tactics a must read.

from Janet Reid, Literary Agent by Janet Reid

Publishing houses that accept manuscripts directly from authors have guidelines for how to send work to them. You'll find those guidelines on their websites.

If you choose to submit to them, read the guidelines. Then follow them.
Don't call an editor to say you represent yourself.
Much like a lawyer who represents himself, you'll have a fool for a client.

You don't need tricks to get attention.
You need good writing.

And after good writing, you need to present clear and compelling evidence you are not a yahoo.

Happy Writing!

Margot Finke Interview

Update: Margot Finke PRESS RELEASE: Books from Guardian Angel Publishing now available ON your iPhone! Read about it here: Margot Finke's Blog

“We are excited with our newest venture,” said GAP President and Publisher Lynda Burch. “Licensing our picture books with iKids Play™ will allow for worldwide English distribution by Apple iTunes Applications of our books on the newest technology to hit the market.”

It is my pleasure to introduce Margot Finke, a wonderful author of children's books.

WIN a DOOR PRIZE: Every 10th person to comment or ask a question WINS a free link to Margot reading one of her books + the illustrations.

My first question was to ask Margot to tell us about herself, and when she started writing? Here is Margot's Bio.

Margot Finke is an Aussie who writes mid grade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years, she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family.


Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between her writing. Her husband is supportive, though not interested in children's books. Their three children are now grown and doing very well. 4 grandchildren are the delight of Margot's life.


Early on, several writers in an online group mentored her. Margot now like to return the favor by offering free writing advice and help on her Website, her Blog, and in her "Musings" column. Her Manuscript Critique Service specializes in personal guidance - a shrewd professional critique can help writers avoid the pitfalls that cause rejections. "I am always thrilled when a client of mine has one of their books accepted."


Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my Heroes!"

"Margot's latest rhyming book is "Rattlesnake Jam" - a fun frolic with Gran and Pa, plus Gran's determination to cook rattlesnake jam, instead of Pa's favorite, rattlesnake pie:
http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/Margot%27s%20Books.htm#other

"Coming soon - "Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind" - Ruthie's parents move her far from the school and friends she knows. Ruthie doesn't understand why this happened, and becomes a horrible problem child. Then, something wonderful changes everything. Both Books: Autographed (paper) copies from my website, or Amazon, B&N, Borders, etc + Fictionwise for downloads.
http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/Margot%27s%20Books.htm#other

"7 Book Animal Series - Aussie and US : http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/Books.html#clues
(Autographed CDs my website - Downloads: Readers Eden and Fictionwise)

"Website - Writing Help, Manuscript Critiques etc: http://www.margotfinke.com

"Blog - Writing News, Trailers, Books: http://margotfinke.blogspot.com/

"Musings" column - Lots of writing tips and advice: http://www.underdown.org/finke.htm

2) Have you ever thought of writing anything else but children's books?



If I could live to be 150 years old, I would definitely write for other genres. As it is, time is against me. My late start at serious writing demands I spend my time in the children's field of writing. And with the variety of ages to write for, it is quite enough for this late-start-Lizzy to cope with. I know many do cross the genre lines successfully, often using a pen name to differentiate between their books for children and those for adults.

I listened to you read your book "Mama Grizzly Bear" - A rhyming tale: introducing kids to Mama and her cubs, and I loved it, it's an informative delightful tale.

Thank you. Mamma Grizzly is a favorite of mine. The whole series (7 books in all) is available on individual CDs, or as E-Book Downloads. I am very proud of the quality, layout, and illustrations in each of these books. Yet, the poor quality of some e-books still taints all of them. People forget that there are many paper book out there that would have been a lot better if the editor had blue penciled more paragraphs - famous names included!


Children today are computer savvy, and love reading fun and informational books on a screen. I find it is the adults who are reluctant to try this new and increasingly popular book medium. In time, Book Readers will drop down to a more reasonable price, and offer color viewing. Then
e-Books will really take off. There IS room for both paper and electronic books - a time and a place for both.


E-Books are environmentally GREEN, and in today's bad economy, far cheaper than buying hard cover books. "Buy Green e-Books and Save Trees!" is a great global warming slogan.

3) Your books are about animals, do you do a lot of research?



Yes, I did research the ones I was unfamiliar with. Each book in the series offers simple facts about a number of animals from the US and Australia. I devised the books as fun reads: a sneaky way for children to learn about wild and wonderful critters. Parents, teachers, and older readers, can go to my Books page and view illustrations and sample verses: http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/Books.html#clues -
Titles Are: Kangaroo Clues - *Don't Eat Platypus Stew - *Never Say Boo to a Frilly - Mama Grizzly Bear - Prairie Dog's Play Day - Humdinger Hummers -Squirrels Can't Help Being Nuts. NOTE: Titles with stars (*) have 3 shorter stories.


They can also hop over to the two pages listed below, for extra information about all these animals + links to sites that offer more in-depth details.

Wild US Critters: http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/US%20Critters.htm#US

Down-under Fun: http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/Down-Under.htm#you

4) Are children's books easier to market?

My marketing experience is with children's books, so I can only offer an opinion on promoting these. I suspect the same applies to any genre. Let me say first, that writing the darned thing is the easy part. Promoting your published book takes huge amounts time, effort, and planning. Unless you are Mick Jagger or Queen Elizabeth, the publisher leaves 97% of this in your nervous and unprepared hands. You have to learn how to write press releases and tee up newspaper and radio interviews for yourself. School visits, book signings and library visits, are a high priority. Designing business cards, postcards, bookmarks, and maybe even craft or writing projects for schools, all take chunks of your time. "Promote or Perish" is your daily mantra. Will you ever have time to write again? Some writers thrive in the hothouse scrimmages of book promotion. Others wilt, longing for the solitude of their computer, and a chance to follow the seductive scent of a new story idea. Bottom line - publishers want books that sell. So, if you want a happy publisher, who will accept your next masterpiece, PROMOTE and SELL!

5) Is it easier to find a find an agent or a publisher?
Aha. . . this is a classic catch 22 situation. Today, many publishers prefer writers who have an agent. Agents, on the other hand, like to represent writers who have already published a book. This often applies to the larger publishers and agencies. Luckily for writers, many editors who were downsized during past publishing house buy outs, have opened literary agencies of their own. They know the business, and they have excellent contacts. This is a good thing.

Look for an agent who has just opened for business: they are hungry for clients, and therefore more likely to take a good look at your manuscript. With publishers, begin by researching the smaller houses. They are newer, less set in their ways, and more likely to give a newcomer a chance. For both publishers and agents, make sure they are legitimate, and looking for books that feel like yours. Their online Submission Guidelines are where you will find exactly what they want from you. Finding the right agent or publisher often boils down to good research.

Beware of Agent and Publishing Scams: Check this link, for advice on how to make sure the publisher or agent you choose is legitimate: http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/Beware.htm

6) Tell us about your blog and your website, do you think it is essential for the aspiring author to create a blog or website early in their writing career?


Once you have a signed contract for your book, you do need a Blog or a Website. I have both. Making the general public aware of you as a children's author, + the titles of your books, is called "Branding." Someone says Jo Rowlings, and we instantly think of Harry Potter.


My Blog is a kind of "Stop Press" way of putting out instant news about my books and the writing services I offer. It is also a way of posting opinions, book trailers and covers + the writing and book news I want to share - fast! My Website is where I keep a permanent display of my books, covers, and the details about other services I offer. Always link the two together.



If you set it up just right, your Blog news will be posted all over the web. Learn how to Ping after every new post, add the right widgets and links, and connect to Feedburner, etc. A Blog that is not hooked up simply sits there - dead news! I know, it does sound scary at first, but it really is quite simple. I use Blogspot.com. Research the Blog you choose, and start hooking it up to various Blog Readers. Take your time. As you learn more - do more!

7) Share any thoughts you may have on creative writing?


Writing for children is not something you can rattle off over a weekend, and expect to get published, ASAP. It is a craft that must be learned. The idea is to paint word pictures that stick in a child's head. A few evocative and fresh adjectives, mixed in with active and powerful verbs, works wonderfully. Focus on what is important to the plot, and prune back those long and waffling sentences. This advice applies to all ages of children's books, but especially so for picture books. Keep your writing as tight as your Granny's new girdle!

If it's been a long time since you sat in Ms Learnit's English class, take a writing lesson or two. These days, you can do this online, in your jammies, if you choose. Join a good online children's writing list, and make notes of all the great advice and information that flows there. Go to writing conferences. You can network there with other writers, pick their brains, and listen to guest editors and their words of writing wisdom. Write! Write! Write! Join a critique group for guidance, support, and helpful writing feedback.

Only those who refuse to quit will become published. So, don't allow rejection letters to stop you writing. Many of today's famous authors received loads of rejections before that first acceptance.


Perseverance is as important as talent and hard work. Keep researching those publishers and sending out your manuscripts.


Remember, mates, editors do NOT make house calls!

Thank you Joan, for asking me these gritty questions. Working with you has been a huge pleasure.

Margot Finke.


Thank you too, for taking the time to answer all the questions, and the wonderful advice you have shared.

Taking the Plunge and Mystery out of Creative Writing.

I want to thank Raven, for joining me last week here at “A Writer’s Group Blog,” she did an excellent job sharing with us her insight thoughts on sensory memory. As an aspiring author, I know it took a lot out of her, so give her a big hand for taking the plunge into the cold dark water and coming up with such insightful comments.

I’m sure you are looking left and right wondering what kind mystery lies in creative writing, suggestive by the title of this article. Well, it is a mystery to this aspiring author that more wanna-be’s (aspiring authors) are not blogging, sharing blogs and social networking than there is, that’s where the mystery lies, not in the craft of fiction.

Where does the mystery lie!

Too me, there is real mystery that the aspiring won’t take the plunge to promote themselves by creating a blog, or a webpage, or joining Twitter or Facebook, diving headfirst into social networking to promote themselves. It’s no longer about sitting and waiting for the royalties or being famous novelist with editors and agents breaking down the door for you, it’s not something to take lightly, but something every writer, poet, artist of any caliber should be thinking about and doing. I’m not a social butterfly and find myself often quivering over the possibilities of the mistakes I make, which is often, both speaking and writing, usually what comes to mind, comes out of the mouth, either spoken or written. Those flub-dubs a scattered brain can formulate.

As you know, I’ve been following J.A. Konrath’s Blog Tour. Think of it, me doing an interview with a well-known published author—wow, I was shaking in my boots, scared all the way down to the knobby toes in my socks. Not only is J.A. Konrath a talented author, and a heck of a nice guy, humorous as well, it was a quite an experience and a treat for this aspiring author. I wouldn’t have had the chance, if I had not taken the plunge.

I follow a lot of blogs, especially those that discuss creative writing. Blog following is part of social networking. Day 28 of J.A. Konrath’s blog tour, he was interviewed by another well-known author, Alexandra Sokoloff here Jack Kilborn discusses the “Anatomy of a Horror Scene.” You can’t go wrong as you study the craft of fiction, by following such talented published writers and the tips and techniques they share.

Why not take the plunge?

What are the benefits of creating a blog, a webpage, joining a social network group? There are many and I’ll attempt to name a few.

On Twitter and Facebook, social networking sites you come in contact with agents, publishers, published authors and wanna-be’s like ourselves.

Blogs, ah the blog, many authors, agents and publishers are blogging, and giving advice to the aspiring, sharing their views on the subjects such as marketing, the craft of fiction.

Webpages: Authors construct their own webpages (or have a professional do the job) to feature their latest novels or to help sales increase on books all ready released. It is definitely a good self-promotional tool.

Read: Literary Agent Nathan Brandsford’s article “It's The End of Publishing As We Know It: Do You Feel Fine?

Read: Seth Godin’s Blog Advice for Authors

In today’s day and age, it is not just about writing the greatest novel ever told, it’s about self-promotion, and exposure, the internet is becoming one of the hottest marketing tools available.

Read: Ten Great Ways to Promote Your Book

Happy Writing!

From the Typewriter to the Bookstore: A Publishing Story

Peddling Backwards when I should be peddling forwards!

The New Year is in the third day and I feel like I’m peddling backwards instead of forwards, cleaning up task that should have been completed days ago… in the old year.

Updates…the homeless mom and the sixteen year seem to have a new beginning to look forward too with all the well-wishers keeping in touch and giving a helping hand. Thank God.

Blinky’s page is updated with answers to questions that has been poised and I must say she has done an excellent job answering questions that people cannot truly know the answers too, unless they walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Life is never easy, nor does it come any easier as we grow older and the aches and pains flood the body making it more difficult to do the task we did when we were younger.

Sweet Hearts of the Rodeo: Boy those ladies have certainly done a marvelous job reviewing Butler’s session 3 and 4 ( I’m behind and I hope they will forgive me for not responding yet to their analysis, I hope to get to it by the end of Sunday) and giving well constructed thoughts on his writing process.

Onto another subject and thought regarding the group, three ladies out of the group has had stories published in this year’s T-Zero Quarterly, a writers village online magazine Link: http://writersvillage.com/t-zero/. And I’m not sure if it is open to the public? But Writer’s Village University offers over 200 courses for the aspiring author. The Ladies, whose short story was published, are:

The Beaded Sandals
short fiction by Carolann Neilon Malley

Trying To Beat The Moon
short fiction by Kathy Kubik

The Pond
short fiction by Laurel Wilczek

And Kathy has a poem published also,

Diagnosis
a poem by Kathy Kubik

All are extremely talented writers-- way to go ladies; I’m looking forward to seeing your name in print, again.

I’ve far to many irons in the fire, but there seems to be so little time to accomplish all that needs to be done in a day.

Twitter: is fascinating and I’m learning the method of tweeting as I build followers. And you meet so many interesting people to name a few there are, publishers, writers, journalist, webmaster, bloggers the list is endless, as an aspiring author a definite place to be.

Facebook: Like Twitter, FaceBook is another place to increase your network and meet interesting people.

Onward and upward, writing, blogging and keeping up with the task I have set myself to…
Happy Writing!