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Brandon Sanderson / Agents and Editors
« on: November 15, 2005, 12:20:42 AM »
I've conflicting statements in certain writer's journals which I understand is not commonplace, but one bugs me in particular. According to one article in Writer's Digest, a writer should try to sell his story when while he is involved in the process of writing the manuscript. Another article months later (undoubtedly by a different author) claimed that the manuscript should be completed. Anybody have any ideas concerning that? Because if the first is true, I can send out my first couple chapters now which would be so much more convient. Of course that's as long as they're willing to throw a contract at me.
Also, in Orson Scott Card's How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy, he states in Chapter 5, The Life and Business of Writing, 3. Agents,
"For your first novel, you don't need an agent until you've got a contract offer from a publisher.
{ . . . } Once you have that contract in hand, you can send it to the agent you want to have representing you . . ."
However, isn't it true that most publishers don't consider ANYTHING unless approached by an agent?
He also says not to hire an agent for any more than ten percent of your earnings. I agree and understand, of course, but it seems that there are very few of those.
Also, in Orson Scott Card's How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy, he states in Chapter 5, The Life and Business of Writing, 3. Agents,
"For your first novel, you don't need an agent until you've got a contract offer from a publisher.
{ . . . } Once you have that contract in hand, you can send it to the agent you want to have representing you . . ."
However, isn't it true that most publishers don't consider ANYTHING unless approached by an agent?
He also says not to hire an agent for any more than ten percent of your earnings. I agree and understand, of course, but it seems that there are very few of those.