| Reason #5 You Don't Know the Industry | | | | also suggest, or hire editors that have experience |
| The least important of the five. You just simply | | | | in your genre. Without an agent, you are a small |
| don't understand the industry you are writing for. | | | | fish in a big pond and you don't know how to |
| Do your research. Find out who is publishing what, | | | | swim. |
| and why. Find your audience and write for them. | | | | Reason #2 Your Work Needs Editing |
| Also, don't just submit your work to any publisher | | | | If your reader cannot get through the first |
| or publishing agent out there. Being able to write a | | | | chapter without being frustrated or confused, or |
| query letter takes skill and is a skill that must be | | | | both, it is time to edit your work. Make sure that |
| mastered. Be selective, find a guide that will help | | | | you go through your work thoroughly and then |
| you find your way through the publishing world. | | | | have someone else read it to make corrections |
| Reason #4 Your Agent is a Crook | | | | and suggestions. Then, find yourself a professional |
| You have found a publishing agent to represent | | | | editor who specializes in your genre. They know |
| you, but they are lousy at what they do. If they | | | | the market, your genre and their grammar. Hiring |
| ask you for a fee upfront, run and don't look | | | | a professional will get your work noticed and the |
| back. Remember you are their customer, not the | | | | money will be well spent. Remember most agents |
| other way around. They get paid when you get | | | | know literature and were probably editors |
| paid. Make sure they specialize in the genre you | | | | themselves. |
| are writing in. Ask for references and a phone | | | | Reason #1 Lack of Content |
| number, also a client list if possible. If they don't | | | | Your manuscript lacks content. If you don't have |
| do their job, or know how to, your work won't | | | | a good, interesting story that inspires thought and |
| get to the right people that can sell it. | | | | makes the reader turn the page, don't bother |
| Reason #3 You don't Have an Agent | | | | trying to find an agent to represent you. If your |
| If you don't have an agent representing you, the | | | | characters aren't consistent and your facts aren't |
| chance of your work being looked at by a | | | | right, people will just drop your book and never |
| publisher is almost zero. You are just breaking into | | | | pick it up again. Sometimes ideas just don't work |
| the business and know little about the industry. | | | | and you need to know when to let go. Try to |
| Your agent can bring your work to the right | | | | find people to read your manuscript that will give |
| publishers, help with your contracts and make | | | | you an honest, ruthless opinion. This will save you |
| suggestions to improve your manuscript. They | | | | plenty of time, money and frustration. Happy |
| can also help develop your query letters and initial | | | | writing, and don't let anyone hold you back, not |
| contact with your targeted publishers. They can | | | | even yourself. |