Making those personal connections

How time flies...it's the first Monday in June (welcome to summer) and my turn to share the inside scoop of being an agent. But, I'm hoping you won't mind waiting a month for a new post, when I'll have much more exciting information to share because...

I’m in New York City this week meeting with the lovely editors there, acquainting them with Hummingbird Literary and all we have to offer. When I return I plan tell you all I can about my meetings, agenting and the wonderful world of publishing.  

In the meantime, in the spirit of meeting with the remarkable NY editors, I thought I’d share with you an excerpt from an interview I was fortunate enough to do with the one of the most gracious and generous people I've had the honor of meeting, the very talented Tara Lazar, author, and founder of the fabulously inspiring  PiBoIdMo. For the full post please visit Tara’s blog at http://taralazar.com/2014/01/13/outside-inside-publishing/

These days we have a big problem with supply and demand where there are many more writers than there are agents, editors, or publishing opportunities. Also, many writers don’t do the work of learning the skills and techniques of being a professional writer, honing their craft over time, taking courses and learning the specific requirements of contemporary publishing and their specific genre. They submit their work and overwhelm agents who then close their submissions except through conferences, referrals and special circumstances.

We understand that this is frustrating. Here’s a little information about what you can do to get past these restrictions. One of the best ways to get access is by making personal connections with agents and editors at conferences or through courses. There is nothing like a personal connection in any aspect of life. But remember that editors and agents are mostly overworked and underpaid. They do this work because they love books and helping others. As society changes with events in the world, we have to change with it. The thing that doesn't change is that first impressions make lasting impressions. If you meet an editor or agent make a great impression by being warm, helpful, kind, and positive. As the saying goes, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” Of course before you submit, make sure your work is wonderful, brilliant, original, professional and publishable. But this is a given. If you make meaningful connections, chances are they’ll want to help you if they can, and besides the possibility of publishing, you might just make a wonderful friend.

And so, I’m in NY to make those personal connections and represent my clients and their brilliant, original, professional and publishable work and make some wonderful friends.

Visit me here in July for the exciting details of my trip. Hope you are enjoying your summer - reading and writing and taking time to rouse your muse.