On Finding the Right Agent

By Jennie Davenport

As a debut author and, once upon a time, a querying writer, I can tell you that knowing whether or not a certain agent is the right fit is…difficult. Oftentimes, our judgment can be a bit muddled because we are so desperate to find one—any one, really—that will give our stories a chance. So in our search, we come across an agent who represents our genre, and we immediately think, “Oooo! Maybe he/she is the one!”

I thought that so many times it would be impossible to count. So, if you’ve felt that heart-wrenching pain from your ONE rejecting you—and even your fifteenth ONE in a row—YOU’RE NOT ALONE!

Querying is difficult and trying. It takes patience and the ability to learn and grow. And timing is everything. But don’t let that repetitive rejection dim your passion! Learn from it, grow from it. Never stop tweaking your query. Never stop looking for an agent. Never stop trying to be better.

Book Blast: Honor Among Orcs

I'll be out of town this weekend, which unfortunately means no Flash! Friday entry, but for those of you who may want something a little longer than flash fiction, check out this new book by Amalia Dillin!

Beauty must save the BEAST…

Honor Among Orcs

by Amalia Dillin

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Querying Far & Wide

Advice for aspiring authors online abounds, and we soak it up.  Some advice is so pervasive that we don't question it — after all, so many industry professionals agree as do the stories of other writers' successes, so who are we, as new writers, to think otherwise? But you know what, I disagree with one of the fundamental tips for traditional publishing success. 

I read quite recently in an interview with an agent I'm considering querying her opinion that considering small presses is perfectly valid — if you've already queried and been rejected by about 400 agents. This idea that we as writers should query any and every agent who represents our genre is quite common, but frankly, absurd. It places us in the position of begging for acknowledgement, as though we need the stamp of approval from absolutely anyone with the title "agent" before we can be taken seriously, which devalues our work, our talents, and our voice in this process. 

Flash! Friday: Prompt #2-16

Flash! Friday time! Quick refresher of the rules: 150-word story (+/- 10) on the photo below, which must include the dragon's bidding. This week's bidding: Space Travel.  Ready?

Foundation of the Author Platform

Nowadays, aspiring authors know the importance of building a platform — of becoming as easily accessible for potential and current readers as possible.  To that end, we join Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and more, each with its own customs, quirks, and ultimately benefits. 

But the original version of the author platform, the one that predates even the internet, continues to exist, and its importance has not diminished.  I'm talking, of course, of the Author Bio.

Not Quite Flash! Friday

Okay, so, I'll admit — even with 4ish hours to go before the Flash! Friday deadline, I'm deciding not to participate this week. Frankly, I have lots to do after some feedback on my work in progress, my adorable nieces coming over in a couple hours, and two meetings this weekend, both of which require reading and commenting on others' works.  And to top it off, no matter how I try to mull it over, the prompt just isn't inspiring me.  

Miss Flash! Friday stories? Check it out for yourself! Plenty pieces to keep you entertained in the comments at the link!