Ask Me Anything (June 2024)
It’s Q&A day!
Today’s first question is available to all readers! And there is a bonus one below the pay wall for paying subscribers.
Enjoy! You can submit questions for future months here.
Q. Should a first time author try to get a literary agent first before sending their novel to an editor or pay an editor and then submit to a literary agent?
A. If you feel like your manuscript is as close to perfect as you can make it and you don’t want to pay an editor first, try querying! But if you hear nothing or only get vague rejections, that is often a sign that you need an editor. There’s clearly some kind of problem and a professional editor like me will tell you exactly what it is. A literary agent will help with a little editing - and even more once you’re actually a client - but a manuscript really needs to be close to 100% perfect to receive an offer of representation. Agents are just too busy to help with anything less. If you’re lucky enough to get more detailed feedback - sometimes agents will write a “revise and resubmit” letter and give writers a chance to revise on their own - those are still very hard for writers to tackle without professional help. If you receive one, that is also a good time to call for professional help. But there’s really no right time to call in an editor. There is only the time that feels right to you, either before you submit or after!
** If you’re planning to skip the querying process and go right to independently publishing, you need a professional developmental editor, a copy editor, a proofreader…an entire editing, marketing, cover art team (depending on budget and your own skills, of course)! I’ll do a whole post on my tips for indie publishing soon.
Q. Why do agents or editors or publications ghost you, even if they previously expressed interest in your work through correspondence or at a conference?