Jana
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Quick fangirling - I discovered the Vorkosigan Saga a while back and I adore it, thank you so much. To business - I'm an aspiring writer currently at the end of editing my first draft manuscript. Since I've decided to try the traditional publishing route first, I'm currently starting the search for an agent and the whole process is, frankly, terrifying. How did you find / settle on your agent?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Re: agents, I went at it backwards. I had sold/published several books starting in the mid-80s without one, began to learn my way around a bit, took advice from a few writer friends, contacted my agent of choice, and we first met and shook hands in New York on Nebula Weekend, 1989. Still with each other. This is not a route that is really available nowadays, so my experience is useless for new writers.
My go-to book-or-blog for new writers is Pat Wrede's: http://www.pcwrede.com/blog/ or her blog e-book, Wrede on Writing. She only has a little to say about agent hunting, but what she does offer is sensible and sound.
Start with what Pat has to say, and look over what other advice you can find -- there will be tons, not all of it good -- and after that, I'm afraid, you are on your own.
Terrifying and depressing, yeah. This is normal. Sorry I can't be more help --
Ta, L.
(I should add, if your agent search does not prosper, Kristine Katherine Rusch's blog used to have some informed advice on how to do without one. But she is very experienced, so I'm not sure how much of what she advises can really be emulated by a newbie.)
My go-to book-or-blog for new writers is Pat Wrede's: http://www.pcwrede.com/blog/ or her blog e-book, Wrede on Writing. She only has a little to say about agent hunting, but what she does offer is sensible and sound.
Start with what Pat has to say, and look over what other advice you can find -- there will be tons, not all of it good -- and after that, I'm afraid, you are on your own.
Terrifying and depressing, yeah. This is normal. Sorry I can't be more help --
Ta, L.
(I should add, if your agent search does not prosper, Kristine Katherine Rusch's blog used to have some informed advice on how to do without one. But she is very experienced, so I'm not sure how much of what she advises can really be emulated by a newbie.)
More Answered Questions
Karl Mochel
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Laid off again. This is the second time I have had your books to lean on when things are not going well, and I love how warm they are to read. The first time was the Vorkosigan saga and now Sharing Knife and 5 Gods. ...and as an aspiring writer, I despair of writing characters so adroitly humorous and well-drawn. A question mark?
Ellen
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I’m rereading A Civil Campaign for the millionth time and am wondering about the Vorrutyer family. Where do Byerly, Richars and Dono’ s parents fall in birth order to Ges and his ill-fated sister (was she ever named in the series)? Did Ges have any children? Thinking of Richars as Ges’ nephew (or son?) certainly adds some potency to the references to his behavior by By and Dono from their younger years. Thank you!
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