You are the first editor / publisher who has been open about the age thing. If some one is past retirement age are they going to be treated seriously when pitching a debute novel? I really need to know if I am kidding myself hoping for a traditional publishing contract. Thanks for your honesty.
I'm chuffed to bits with this video. Thank you so much. Thankfully I viewed this before sending off my work, having heavily revised my Query Letter late last night... God bless.
Thanks for being brutally honest, it really does help the novice understand. Bad news for introverts however......I breakout in hives just thinking about public speaking. 😢😂.
I’m about to begin to find the right agent. Your words of wisdom have really made a difference. Fortunately I have a nine book plan, with the second book almost finished to the working document stage. Thanks.
Hi Sarah, thanks for the video very interesting and helpful information, I subscribed as i want to hear hear more of your thoughts. If I may I would like to ask you a question. I am a chef with a good background with lots of accreditation and awards to a very high level. I specialise in pastry, baking and chocolate and I have well over 1000 recipes of my own creation covering every aspect of this type of cooking. As a literary agent which is likely to be more interesting to you. A specialist book on one subject like say 100 biscuits & cookies or a blend of recipes covering desserts, chocolate, biscuits, breads etc etc? The thing I am worried about is pitching completely the wrong type of book and it being a shut door immediately. Is there a rule or gut feeling about this from a literary agents side? I could easily write either with my own personal style so neither is harder than another to write but if there is any reason to go one way or the other I would love to know your thoughts on this. Thanks in advanced Kind regards Tim
Thank you so much for this! I read some of your beautiful writings and was transported to swirling chickens and amazing experiences - from deeply moving empathy to glorious otherworldly wonderment - similar to deep meditation and beyond. Most inspiring (In Spiritus Sancti!) Thank you for what you share with this beautiful world!
Heading just completed my first novel I now find myself wondering where to from here? After watching this video I can't help but feel that writing the book was the easy part. Regardless thanks a lot for the insight.
Beautifully done, Sarah! Some quick questions: 1. I imagine the back-cover-style hook should NOT include spoilers, but the full synopsis should? 2. I'm concerned about what you said regarding age. I, like many others, am interested in serious writing now as I approach retirement. Is the agent/publisher route a dead-end (or at best a longshot)? Should I be looking at self-publishing? Thank you!
What I heard from other agent vids - they want to know all the spoilers - it is a consideration in their decision about representing a book, or even wanting to read the sample chapters.
Now I'm starting to think I should start a literary agency and a publishing company specializing in older debut authors. Thanks for the idea.
Let me know when you’re ready @spectator59
I just wanted to offer thanks for pulling back the curtain a bit, and making the magic a little bit more accessible. Sincere thanks, indeed!
You are the first editor / publisher who has been open about the age thing. If some one is past retirement age are they going to be treated seriously when pitching a debute novel? I really need to know if I am kidding myself hoping for a traditional publishing contract.
Thanks for your honesty.
Very useful information, I can now see why so many writing groups won't discuss traditional publishing and go the self publishing route.
was just thinking this
Thank you for posting this video. Great advice!
Brilliant video, insightful and helpful.
I'm chuffed to bits with this video. Thank you so much. Thankfully I viewed this before sending off my work, having heavily revised my Query Letter late last night... God bless.
Thanks for being brutally honest, it really does help the novice understand. Bad news for introverts however......I breakout in hives just thinking about public speaking. 😢😂.
I have no agent, I pitch directly to the publishers, it is possible and feasible to do so and cut the red tape.
Great info thanks a lot.
I’m about to begin to find the right agent. Your words of wisdom have really made a difference. Fortunately I have a nine book plan, with the second book almost finished to the working document stage. Thanks.
So useful Sarah, thank you
So glad!
Thank you so much for this! it's fantastically helpful!
hearing you say it also takes magic put a smile on my face, thank you :-)
Great advice. Just subscribed 👍
Hi Sarah,
thanks for the video very interesting and helpful information, I subscribed as i want to hear hear more of your thoughts. If I may I would like to ask you a question. I am a chef with a good background with lots of accreditation and awards to a very high level. I specialise in pastry, baking and chocolate and I have well over 1000 recipes of my own creation covering every aspect of this type of cooking. As a literary agent which is likely to be more interesting to you. A specialist book on one subject like say 100 biscuits & cookies or a blend of recipes covering desserts, chocolate, biscuits, breads etc etc? The thing I am worried about is pitching completely the wrong type of book and it being a shut door immediately. Is there a rule or gut feeling about this from a literary agents side? I could easily write either with my own personal style so neither is harder than another to write but if there is any reason to go one way or the other I would love to know your thoughts on this. Thanks in advanced Kind regards Tim
Full of great information, thank you for this video.
Thank you so much for this! I read some of your beautiful writings and was transported to swirling chickens and amazing experiences - from deeply moving empathy to glorious otherworldly wonderment - similar to deep meditation and beyond. Most inspiring (In Spiritus Sancti!) Thank you for what you share with this beautiful world!
Thank you Nosy Rosy. That is so great and the book is a wild ride indeed
Heading just completed my first novel I now find myself wondering where to from here? After watching this video I can't help but feel that writing the book was the easy part. Regardless thanks a lot for the insight.
Beautifully done, Sarah! Some quick questions:
1. I imagine the back-cover-style hook should NOT include spoilers, but the full synopsis should?
2. I'm concerned about what you said regarding age. I, like many others, am interested in serious writing now as I approach retirement. Is the agent/publisher route a dead-end (or at best a longshot)? Should I be looking at self-publishing? Thank you!
I was thinking the same thing.
What I heard from other agent vids - they want to know all the spoilers - it is a consideration in their decision about representing a book, or even wanting to read the sample chapters.
Before you approach an agent, do you need the novel to be fully written?
If it's fiction, yes. Always have a fully completed novel that's as good as you can get it.
Wow! That’s a great idea! MFC is 16yr old angry goth violin virtuoso…
Meryl Streep could absolutely play you to a T :)
Bummer I’m 62.
There's still time. Frank McCourt was 66 when he published Angela's Ashes, a Pulitzer Prize winner. I believe it was his debut novel/memoir.
Luckily I’m just 61 😂
iam writing my first novel and this information was so relevant to me. Despite im from South america. Greetings from the butt of the world.