Magazine ArticlesMake money as a freelance writer. Learn how to write and sell your articles to buying markets.
Writing WorkshopsFrom characters to copywriting, take a workshop to enhance your writing skills.
Writing PromptsSharpen your writing skills with writing prompts, picture prompts and song lyric prompts.
The Graveyard Bookby Neil Gaiman |
The Scene Bookby Sandra Scofield |
Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Marketby Alice Pope |
2009 Guide to Literary Agentsby Writer's Digest Books |
| Friday February 10, 2012 | 
|
Writers Ask the Expert Selling Your Book Internationally
| Selling Your Book Internationally |
 |
 |
| By Rachel Vater | |
|
Q: I have two novels out and a third commissioned by a big mainstream UK publishing house. I very much would like to find a US publisher. I have an agent in the UK and she did try once, when my first novel appeared, but let the matter drop when it was refused. Now that I have three manuscripts to sell I'd like to make the effort on my own; now that we have the Internet it seems to me there must be new and better ways than the old fashioned method of having my agent go to New York to peddle manuscripts! Do you know if publishers actually read these sites (that allow a writer to post their mss)? If an agent, not a publisher, replies, should I refuse and only deal with publishers, by putting them in touch with my current agent? -Sharon
If you're hoping to "upgrade" agents by finding one who can effectively represent your work to the larger U.S. market and abroad, you may wish to keep your intentions to yourself until you've located a new agent. Many U.S. agents can be queried by Email now, and a lot of them even prefer that method, so out-of-country postage shouldn't be a problem for you. I recommend querying agents who are listed on the AAR Web site. These agents adhere to a strict code of ethics and have a strong track record of sales. You can look them up individually by name online to see if they have a Web site where you can learn more about their genre preferences. If you are looking for an agent to represent your U.S. rights only, let them know this up front, and be sure to mention your prior publishing success in the UK. I don't recommend using the Internet to post your work online in the hopes that an agent or editor will happen to come across your manuscript. Your books will likely get lost in the shuffle with all the writers out there who don't have your prior publishing success. Keep in mind that the editors at the biggest publishing houses usually will not read anything that isn't submitted through an agent. Why would they take the time to peruse an Internet Web site that hasn't been screened by an agent? In the rare event an editor of a smaller publishing house noticed your work and wanted to offer you a contract, you could refer them to your current agent or use that opportunity to get a U.S. agent. However, if instead you devoted yourself to finding a U.S. agent first, your options wouldn't be limited to the smaller houses, and you'd stand an overall better chance of being published. Rachel Vater |
Most Popular
What's New
