Monday 8 September 2008

Get an agent - PEN club



Finding an Agent and How to Get Published is a panel discussion at the United Arts Club, 3 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 with Literary agent Sheila Crowley, Editor Mary Webb and Publisher Eoin McHugh.

When: 8 p.m. Thursday 11th September

How to book: Email irishpen@ireland.com or phone 087 966 0770

Cost: €3 members & €5 non-members

If you haven't been to a similar discussion before, these are worth going to. They do tend to cover the same ground over and over though so I wouldn't bother if you've been before.

What they will say:
- It's really difficult to get published
- It's really difficult to get an agent
- Polish your novel to a high shine befor sending out
- it can take ages to get a response. Start on your next book
- don't give up the day job
- take a lot of care over presentation
- write a synopsis to show you can/have finished the book
- finish the book before you send it
- send first 3 chapters and synopsis
- Make your covering letter brief and pertinent (not impertinent)
- multiple submissions are OK
- don't send bribes
- don't handwrite in green ink or print on pink paper in the hope of standing out
- don't call after a week to ask for the contract

5 comments:

Sheila Killian said...

Thanks for that - great summary for those of us unable to get to Dublin

Unknown said...

Sure, you could give a talk like this yourself, no bother to you!

B said...

"don't call after a week to ask for the contract"

that'd require some nerve.

...which means it's exactly what I'd do, cos I'd be expecting the Philip Baker Hall sort that's head of the firm to say "I like you kid; you've got spunk. Here's the contract!"

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Great points, thanks.

Colm Keegan said...

cheers for the summary - i think i've save myself a few quid!