Guide to Literary Agents - Around the Properties

Around the WD Properties: 7-7-09

Chuck — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:56:45 GMT

Here is a look at things going on
around the Writer's Digest world
and more.

Call for Submissions!

The editorial staff of Writer's Digest Market Books is now open to queries for the 2010 editions of Photographer's Market, Songwriter's Market and Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market (which will be published in October 2009).

These books, similar to Writer's Market, offer craft- and business-related articles for photographers, songwriters and artists as well as interviews with both newer and more experienced professionals in these areas. (Refer to past editions for examples.) If you have an idea for an article or interview, e-mail your query to alice.pope@fwmedia.com.

Short Short Story Competition

The 10th Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition is accepting entries! We're looking for fiction that's bold, brilliant ... but brief. Send us your best in 1,500 words or fewer. But don't be too long about it—the deadline is December 1, 2009.

The Grand-Prize winner will receive $3,000 (that's $2—or more—per word).
For guidelines, prizes and to enter online, click here.

Sign Up for My Magazine Freelancing Webinar!

Editor's note: I did the webinar yesterday with Zac and everything went very well. Keep your eyes on www.writersdigest.com/webinars to see the next time we teach the class

I am teaching a webinar on Freelancing this Thursday at 1 p.m. It's all about the basics of freelancing for magazines, newspapers and online. We'll talk about everything - how to come with ideas, how to compose a query, how to resell old pieces, how to pitch a market correctly - all that stuff. Freelancing should not be underestimated. You bring in more money, you build your platform, you build your credentials and you make sure you're not putting all your eggs in one basket.
And as if the webinar wasn't awesome enough already, I will be joined by Writer's Digest managing editor Zac Petit, who will chime in with some great advice. Every question asked will be answered, either live during the seminar or afterward. Sign up today!

Around the WD Properties: 3-30-2009

Chuck — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:46:43 GMT

Here are some cool things
going on around Writer's Digest

Webinar: Query Letter Writing
        How to Write a Book Query Letter that Gets a Response
        Live Event: Thursday, April 9, 2009; 1 p.m. Eastern
        Submit your one-page book query letter for potential critique in this hands-on session from Writer's Digest Publisher and Editorial Director Jane Friedman.
        Want to learn more or sign up? Click here for more info.

Poem-a-Day Challenge
       Robert Brewer, who manages to poetry site Poetic Asides, is celebrating National Poetry Month by challenging writers to compose a poem each day.
       Well, on April 1, more than 1,000 comments were made - most of them poems in the challenge. Get involved!

Around the WD Properties (and the Internet)

Chuck — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:45:36 GMT

Here are some great things going on
around the WD properties:

Harlots' Sauce, a "nonpartisan magazine on the net" has posted a long and informative interview with WD Editorial Director Jane Friedman, who discusses How the Internet Has Got Publishing By Its Tail.
Jane is a wonderful resource of information - especially about the state and business of publishing. If you're interested in how the landscape is changing, listen in.

Here are some great things going on
around the Internet itself.

Check out the Writers on Writing Blog to download audio of an interview with literary agent Vicky Bijur.

F+W Media's own "Cup of Comfort" Book Series is paying for good submissions. Check out the link for all info, but know that 1) we pay for accepted stories, 2) the book topics at hand are "couples" and "golfers", and 3) the deadline is in the fall.

One contest out there is looking for the Funniest Play on Earth.

Around the WD Properties: 2-18-2009

Chuck — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:01:55 GMT

Here some cool things going on
around the other great Writer's
Digest properties.

1. Ten Disciplines for Fiction Writers

Check out author James Scott Bell's 10 tips for managing the day-to-day task of writing. Bell says, "Good writing takes practice, and practice makes perfect! Use this disciplined approach to write your very best."

2. New Writer's Digest is out

The March/April issue of WD is out now. The issue takes a long look at self-publishing and the state of the publishing industry. It also features an interview with publishing juggernaut James Patterson.

3. New webinar: "Your Very First Page - How Editors Evaluate Your Manuscript in an Instant"

Writers Online Workshops instructor Joe Stollenwerk is leading this latest webinar - all about getting your story started off right.
"Agents and editors agree: Improper story beginnings are the single biggest barrier to publication. Why? If you have a bad beginning, no one will keep reading. Does your manuscript grab a reader’s attention at page one and never let them go? Find out in this session.

Get an insider’s perspective on how editors and agents can tell right away whether your manuscript is worth further consideration.
Avoid beginner mistakes that doom a manuscript from the first page.
Get a checklist for self-editing and revision that will improve your manuscript overnight.
BONUS: The first 25 people to register for this webinar may submit the first page of their manuscript (double-spaced), to be critiqued in live time during the session. Each critiqued piece will get a yes-or-no verdict on the question: Is it worth my time to keep reading this manuscript?

Around the WD Properties: 2-2-2009

Chuck — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:51:10 GMT

Happy Groundhog Day everyone!
(What a sham this day is, by the way.)
Here's what's going on around all the
great Writer's Digest peeps and properties.

"So the question is:
Does Phil ... feel lucky?"

1. Alice Pope is the mad blogger in New York these past several days. Pope, who edits Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, has been at the SCBWI conference in Manhattan, and has blogged about everything and anything while up there. She has some posts about advice from children's agents, naturally.

2. The Feb. 6 deadline is fast approaching for WD's Red Heart Black Heart Contest, which is seeking love poems, black-hearted love poems, love letters, rejection letters (and we don’t mean the editor/agent kind), essays on love at first sight, and essays on love lost.

3. The new issue of Writer's Digest (March/April) will be out soon, and it takes a long look at self-publishing today and also the self-publishing companies who are doing business here and now. Already online is an article that features a directory of self-published companies. Check it out here.

Around the WD Properties: 10-2-2008

Chuck — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:41:57 GMT

WD Editor Maria Schneider Leaving

The wonderful editor of Writer's Digest, Maria Schneider, is leaving the magazine after several years of service. She will be greatly missed. You can leave a parting message for her on her blog.

Articles Wanted!

Alice Pope, who will be editing the 2010 edition of Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, welcomes submissions for the next edition of NSSWM. Alice would like pitches for articles and interviews that fit the following sections in the book: The Writing Life, Craft & Technique, Getting Published, For Mystery Writers, For Romance Writers, and For Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writers.

To get an even better idea of what is wanted, you should check out a copy of the 2009 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market at your local bookstore or library. Queries can be sent to Alice's attention at nsswm@fwpubs.com.

Looking for a Writers' Conference?

As of now, I'm speaking at seven conferences in 2009, so, if you have a moment, check them off if you live nearby and see if you're interested in dropping by! There are some really good gatherings in this list.

Reno Writers Conference at Truckee Meadows Community College
March 14, 2009
Reno, NV

Las Vegas Writers Conference
April 16-18, 2009
Las Vegas, NV

Muse and the Marketplace: Grub Street Writers
April 24-26, 2009
Boston, MA

Writers Digest Books Writers Conference / Book Expo America
May 27, 2009
New York, NY

Southeastern Writers Conference
June 21-25, 2009
St. Simons Island, GA

Jackson Hole Writers Conference
June 25-27, 2009
Jackson Hole, WY

Around the Properties: WD News 9-16-2008

Chuck — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:10:30 GMT

There is a lot going on around the WD properties. Check out the news!

The Don'ts of Books Submissions

At the Maui Writers Conference, WD staffers were at a session where three agent panelists threw out some helpful tips on what not to do when submitting a book.

    1. Don't send your full manuscript off the get go. Only send what's requested in the particular agent's guidelines. (They almost always can be found online.)
    2. Don't respond to a rejection letter or ask "why." Just move on.
    3. Don't be rude or disrespectful—rejection isn't personal, it's just part of the business.
    4. Don't submit to one agent at a time. The industry is slow so it's unrealistic for agents to assume you haven't sent it to other people (unless an agent asks for an exclusive read).
    5. Don't resend a query or manuscript a day or two later with a note, "I found a mistake in my proposal and fixed it." Once it's sent, it's sent.

Constructing the Thriller

Also picked up at the Maui Writers' Conference, here are writer Gary Braver's tips on driving a thriller forward. Click here to read the whole thing - all 10 tips and an explanation on each.

    1. You need to have a good story.
    2. Write about the underdog.
    3. Multiple points of view can give you great range in a thriller.
    4. Open your book with an action scene.
    5. Early on, make clear what your protagonist wants and what he fears.

WD Popular Fiction Awards

Deadline: 11/3/2008

The WD Popular Fiction Awards is now accepting entries. Compete and win in all five Categories! The Grand Prize-Winner will receive $2,500 cash.

Around the Properties: June 4, 2008

Chuck — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:30:18 GMT

Here's a look at what's going on around all the Writer's Digest blogs and properties.

TV producer and WD blogger Chad Gervich has just announced a new pitch workshop for writers. It's all online at his ScriptNotes blog. He's working in conjunction with The Buried Editor, who is having writers post their one-sentence pitch. And speaking of contests, Blake Snyder, who was the lunchtime speaker at our conference in the LA, is having a contest of his own over on his blog.

One of the most popular and practical features of the year is now online: It's the 101 Best Web Sites for Writers. Check it out!

Submissions to the WD Annual Writing Competition are now closed. More contests coming...

Around the Properties: May 3, 2008

Chuck — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:58:56 GMT

Here's what's going around around the WD properties...

The launch of There Are No Rules is here. My boss, Jane Friedman, the editorial director of Writer's Digest Books, recently launched her own blog to tackle the big questions of publishing.
I remember watching Jane speak at a conference one time when an attendee asked, "How do publishers get books on those tables you see when you first enter Barnes & Noble?" (I was thinking, Good question! I have no idea...) Jane didn't miss a beat. "They pay for it," she started, explaining the whole process. If you want to know things about trends, publishers, remainders, sales and all that, Jane's blog is a great place to check.

Writer's Digest staffer Brian Klems, who runs the Questions & Quandaries blog, recently answered a pair of submitted questions:
1. Why do authors use pseudonyms?
2. What is a literary executor?

Keep your eyes on the blog for forthcoming interviews with Jacqueline Hackett, an agent at Literary-Works; as well as Bernadette Baker, an agent with Baker's Mark Literary who specializes in graphic novels.

And I won't talk much about this last part because I plan to do a bigger post soon, but the Writer's Digest Books Writers' Conference (in conjunction with BookExpo America) is set to go down on Wednesday, May 28, in downtown LA at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Be there or be square!

Around the Properties: 4-1-2008

Chuck — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:06:23 GMT

Robert Brewer, editor of the Poetic Asides blog, has challenged poets everywhere to write one poem a day for all of April. The challenge has started off with a bang and dozens have pasted their poems in the comment section of his post. Any poets out there should flex their creative muscle and get in on his challenge!

Writer's Digest has a cool new website! Check out the new and improved Writersdigest.com! While it still has great content, this new site allows browsers to easily search for all kinds of past articles on whatever subject they wish. You want to find more on thriller writing? Just go ahead of search...

Around the Properties 3/12/2008

Chuck — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:57:50 GMT

This weekend (March 14-15), I will be in Newport News, Va., presenting at the Christopher Newport University Writers' Conference. If you're around the area, pop on over. Children's agent extraordinaire Michelle Andelman will be there, and so will Virginia's poet laureate, Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda.

Submit your work today to the Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. WD runs several contests, but this is the big one. It includes numerous genres and categories (from literary fiction to screenplays) and the grand-prize winner gets a trip to NYC to meet with agents and editors. The entry deadline is Thursday, May 15.

Around the Properties: 2-28-2008

Chuck — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:58:04 GMT

The new issue of Writer's Digest (March/April) is out. Some of the content is online at www.writersdigest.com, including the following articles:

An interview with genre writer Laurell K. Hamilton
J.A. Konrath's take on Amazon shorts and digital publishing in general
How to form a support group for novelists
and more...

WD staffer Brian A. Klems runs the Questions & Quandaries blog, where he answers questions of all sorts. In the past month, he's answered submitted questions regarding the veracity of Wikipedia, how to get a late payment from a publisher, and what exactly a film "logline" is.

Our awesome blog dedicated to poetry, Poetic Asides, has its first "Poet Interview" up recently, with poet Dorianne Laux answering questions from blog editor Robert Brewer.

Around the Properties: 2-12-2008

Chuck — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:07:02 GMT

Robert Brewer, one of the editors of WD's awesome poetry blog (Poetic Asides), is inviting writers to e-mail him poetry-related questions that he will answer on the blog. Simply e-mail your questions to robert.brewer@fwpubs.com and put "Poetic Asides Poetry Question" in the e-mail title. Take advantage of this! Robert is a published poet who knows what he's talking about.

It's been too long since I mentioned Kevin Alexander's This Writer's Life blog, where he muses on writing, and basically just makes me laugh all day long.

In mere days, I'll be walking the hilly streets of San Francisco, and presenting at the San Francisco Writers Conference. I will be speaking on how to get your freelancing career going, and how to write an awesome query letter.

Nob Hill in San Fran

Here is a good place to again mention other upcoming conferences where I'll be presenting. If you have a chance to make it out to one of these conferences, do so. They are all top notch.

CNU Writers Conference, Newport News, VA, March 14-16

Northern Colorado Writers' Conference, Fort Collins, CO, April 4-5

League of Vermont Writers' Spring Session, Rutland, VT, April 19

Northeast Texas Writers' Organization Writers' Conference, Camp Shiloh, TX (northeast of Dallas), April 25-26

Writer's Digest Books Writers' Conference, Los Angeles, CA, May 28
The granddaddy shindig of them all! This conference takes place just before the huge trade book fair BookExpo America, so we always have a slew of amazing editors, agents and authors presenting and taking pitches. Last year, we had 60 agents and editors at perhaps the biggest pitch slam of all time.

Agents and Editors Conference (Writers League of Texas), Austin, TX, June 20-22.

Around the Properties 1/23/2008

Chuck — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:09:50 GMT

It's been way too since my last "Around the Properties." Here are some awesome things happening in the Writer's Digest world.

Writer's Digest Editor Maria Schneider runs the Writer's Perspective blog and she has recently tackled the subject of blogging itself, and even written a great article called "20 Tips for Good Blogging."
Getting your name out there and developing a readership is essential for writers, especially those who primarily compose nonfiction. Blogs are a great way to reach readers and build a platform, so listen to what Maria has to say.

The WD screenwriting blog, Script Notes, has included some great posts lately for writers who wish to write for TV shows, be it reality shows (yes, they also need writers) or more traditional shows. Blog manager Chad Gervich is a true Hollywood insider, so don't miss his tips if you hope to see Hollywood in your future.

Thanks to Alice Pope's great blog for Children's Writers, I saw that Publisher's Weekly has listed a large number of recent awards bestowed upon juvenile books. This is important because we, as writers, must also be readers. And if you're going to read, you should read plenty of good stuff. So what constitutes "good stuff"? Check out the PW page if you're writing for children and you should be all set.

Lastly, I will be presenting at the Space Coast Writers Guild Writers' Conference this weekend in Cocoa Beach, FL. I don't think it's too late to sign up if you are in the area. Several agents will be in attendance hearing pitches. Check out the Web site to learn more. If you are attending, I'll see you there!

Cocoa Beach.
ETA: 48 hours.

Around the Properties 12/12/2007

Chuck — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:20:28 GMT

Here's a look at cool things happening at other Writer's Digest properties:

Script Notes, WD's new scriptwriting blog, is off to a torrid start. Chad Gervich, who oversees the blog, created 40 posts last month - many of them dealing with the still-ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America.

Another highly active WD blog is Poetic Asides, a blog completely dedicated to poetry writing, contests and discussion.

I just saw an advanced copy of the Feb. 2008 issue of Writer's Digest and, as usual, it's packed with great stuff, including interviews with Tess Gerritsen (The Mephisto Club) and Brock Clarke (An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England). In a few weeks, it will be in bookstores. Check it out!

Around the Properties 11/06/2007

Chuck — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:38:39 GMT

The latest Writer's Digest special publication is out: Writer's Yearbook 2008. If you don't see it in bookstores now,. it will be there soon. The issue has lots of great information on writing for magazines and books, and the biggest draw is the list of 100 great markets to sell your work. The list of 100 has 50 magazines and 50 book publishers.

The new WD screenwriting blog, run by Chad Gervich, is up and running. Chad is a writer and a television producer who is right in the thick of things out in LA. He's blogged a lot recently about the WGA strike in Hollywood and what that means to writers.

Remember that novelist Jodi Picoult's keynote speech at the WDB conference in Manhattan is available online. Listen to her speech for free!

(By the way, it's election day. Remember to vote!)

Around the Properties 10/23/2007

Chuck — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:10:20 GMT

Phil Sexton, a cohort of Writer's Digest magazine, actually went through 80+ years of magazine back issues to scour for the best gems in WD's past. In doing so, he found old articles on writing penned by writers such as H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Tom Clancy, Ken Kesey, Dean Koontz, Stan Lee, and many more. His research led to a book called Legends of Literature.
In an article online, he talks about the book and his research. Check it out!

As always, Alice Pope's blog - Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market - has tons of information for writers of juvenile and children's fiction. A recent post includes a full listing for what Chronicle Books is seeking.

If you've ever considered going back to school for writing but don't have the time, consider one of many Writers Online Workshops. The online classes usually last six or 12 weeks and are taught by Writer's Digest staffers and contributors.
I myself will be teaching a class called "Getting Started in Writing" that starts on Dec. 6, so sign up now!

Around the Properties 10/02/2007

Chuck — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:41:58 GMT

I just got a copy of the latest Writer's Digest magazine (the Nov/Dec issue) and, as usual. it's packed full of great info. It won't hit bookstores for a few weeks, I take it, but here are some article teasers:

Ideas for unlocking your creativity
An interview with author Tom Perrotta
Agent Sharlene Martin shows actual real-life queries that bombed - teaching you what not to do

As reported by WDEditors.com>: For six consecutive weeks, our top selling book was The Little Red Writing Book by Brandon Royal.

It's never too early to start planning ahead. The next writers' conference organized by WD Books will be on May 28, 2008 in Los Angeles, just before the BookExpo America trade show.
Here's one great reason to be thinking ahead: There will be oodles of agents there to hear your pitch. At our 2007 conference, there were 60 agents - probably the biggest agent pitch slam gathering of all time. The conference in LA will attract not only a good number of literary agents, but also a large number of script agents and producers, as well.
The 2008 Web page isn't up yet, but I will let you know when it is.

Around the Properties 9/11/2007

Chuck — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:29:39 GMT

The most recent WD special publication is out: You Can Write for Children. (If you don't see it in bookstores, don't worry - it will be there soon.) The magazine is packed full of information for children's writers of all kinds - YA, middle grade and picture book writing tips.

WD's own "answer man," Brian Klems, has posted a new post on his Questions and Quandaries Blog about writing log lines for movie scripts.

The WD poetry blog, Poetic Asides, is still going strong thanks to numerous posts by both Writer's Market Editor Robert Brewer and Poet's Market Editor Nancy Breen.

On a side note, if you live in the Lexington, Ky. area, several editors from Writer's Digest will be at the Joseph Beth Booksellers tonight (Sept. 11) for a big Q&A session at 7 p.m. Stop on by!

Around the Properties 8/21/2007

Chuck — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:12:43 GMT

If you've ever thought about going back to school for more classes on writing, consider Writers Online Workshops. It's a variety of online classes and workshops taught by WD staffers, contributors and editors. Fall sessions are about to begin.
      I myself will be instructing "Fundamentals of Nonfiction Writing," starting on Sept. 6. Sign up now!
      Also see the full list of courses available.
      As well as the faculty link.

Novel & Shory Story Writer's Market has a new editor - Rachel McDonald. Get to know her through her posting on the NSSWM blog. Recently, she's posted some fiction writing contests as well as an excerpt from the newest edition of the book.

WD Columnist/funnyman Kevin Alexander has just completed his thesis, which has given him not only plenty to joke about, but also more time to write posts. Check out his Writer's Life blog here.

Children's Agents Talk Business: Around the Properties 8/7/2007

Chuck — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:30:21 GMT

On the CWIM blog, there's a great post where two literary agents who represent children's books—Tracey Adams of Adams Literary and Kate Schafer of KT Literary (formerly of Janklow & Nesbit Associates)—talk submissions, rewrites and what's needed for a killer submission.
The post is one of many recent additions from editor Alice Pope, who's spent the last several days ~~partying~~ networking with everyone who's everyone in the children's writing world at the SCBWI Conference in Beverly Hills. She has lots of posts and pictures up on her blog, so check it out.

The WD poetry blog, Poetic Asides, tackles haiku writing this week.

The latest issue of Writer's Digest arrived in my inbox today, which means it will be mailed out to subscribers and bookstores before long. It's packed with great information, including an interview with Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), and several articles about getting your money's worth as a writer (and don't we all want to do just that?).

Around the Properties 7/24/2007

Chuck — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:34:35 GMT

Here's what's going on around the other Writer's Digest properties:

Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market Editor Alice Pope has blogged like mad recently with the release of Harry Potter 7. Also, her first newsletter—all about children's writing—will be flying through cyberspace soon. Sign up for the free newsletter here.

On her blog, Writer's Digest Editor Maria Schneider discusses words we love to use as well as those we hate.

WD columnist (and immensely successful novelist) Jodi Picoult's latest column is online. See her thoughts on success and rejection here.

Around the Properties 7/10/2007

Chuck — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:11:10 GMT

Here's what's going on around the other Writer's Digest properties:

On her blog, Writer's Digest Editor Maria Schneider shares news of an exciting new contest for literary nonfiction writers.

Poetry bloggers Robert Brewer and Nancy Breen, editors of Writer's Market and Poet's Market, respectively, have posted plenty of new material in July. If you're a poet or interested in poetry, check out the blog.

The Writer's Digest Forum continues to grow, with thousands and thousands of visitors each week. Joining the forum is a great way to get writing feedback from peers, network with other scribes, and just stay in touch with the writing world.
Hot forum topic, according to WD staffer Brian A. Klems: Prologues. What's the deal with them and why are there so many these days?

Around the Properties 6/27/2007

Chuck — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:46:06 GMT

Here's what's going on around the other Writer's Digest properties:

A pair of Writer's Digest Books editors have teamed up to start a great new blog for poets. The blog—"Poetic Asides"—was recently created as a joint effort between Poet's Market Editor Nancy Breen and Writer's Market Editor Robert Brewer.

On the Writer's Digest magazine Web site, several great articles are online. Make sure to check out the 2007 list of the 101 Best Web Sites for Writers, an invaluable resource.

Kevin Alexander, our magazine columnist and resident humor writer, has added many recent posts to his Writer's Life blog. If you're in the mood to laugh, check them out.

Around the Properties 6/15/2007

Chuck — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:59:58 GMT

Here's what's going on around the other Writer's Digest properties:

Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, our great market book that focuses on fiction, has a new great newsletter. Sign up for the free newsletter here.

Kevin Alexander, our magazine columnist and resident humor writer, has composed his second "life-changing query letter" and posted it on his Writer's Life blog. Check out his posts if you want a laugh.

The July/August Writer's Digest issue is out (or will be very soon if your mailman is super slow) and Editor Maria Schneider talks about writers' writing spaces on her blog.

As always, the WD Editors site has news concerning many Writer's Digest Books, including this week's best-selling title, The Pirate Primer. Ahoy, maties!

The 2008 Writer's Market is officially finished! We just received the advanced in-house copies today, and the 1,162-page masterpiece is full of markets for professional writers. It should be on the bookshelves in several weeks.