Hi. New guy here (obviously). I live in Denver, I'm 41, I just completed a novel, and I'm here because I'm baffled about something. How do you get a agent to notice you? I realize that this is the introduction thread so I'll post the question elsewhere... Anyway, hello! Oh yeah, Bookman is my real last name. I'm not trying to be cute.
It's a sign, a portent of possible things to come! Welcome to the forum, I think you'll find some answers to your question, and maybe find that you're in the same situation as others!
Hi Bookman, and welcome to the forum. As for agents, do your research and find agents who are actually interested in your genre, then find out how they like to be approached (look on their website or phone them). They may want an introductory letter with a short synopsis of your story and/or a brief autobiography, they may want a few sample chapters of your work, or they may want your entire manuscript. Do your homework first, you'll save yourself a mountain of time and effort.
Hello Bookman, Welcome to the Writing Forums. I'll just stick to the intro matters here. So here is the standard tour: Please read How to Use the Review Room before you post there. Posting your own writing for people to comment on should not be among the very first things you do here. It is worth taking the time to see what other people have done to improve their writing, and see if some of it applies to your writing as well. That is part of why we require members to review other members' work before posting their own for review. On the other hand, there are no restrictions, other than content and copyright rules, on showcasing your work in your member blog. Also, be aware that posting a piece of writing on any public site, including this one, will greatly diminish your chances of selling it for publication. Removing the writing later does not alter that fact - once posted, it is irreversibly considered published. So do not post anything more than a small excerpt of any piece you are planning to submit for publication. If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Review Room, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well, and be sure to read through the forum rules, too, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Respect for one another is our principal mandate. As for the Review Room, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize constructive critique as a vital writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. The Review Room forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Review Room forum). Also, please use the same thread for all revisions and additional excerpts from the same piece of writing. See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. And while you're looking around, don't forget to check out our Weekly Short Story Contest and Weekly Poetry Contest. They actually run more than one week apiece, but any member may enter, and all members are urged to vote for their favorites. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
Wow, thanks for the warm welcome guys. I think I might like this board... Oh yeah, you'll notice I have a habit of doing this... I don't know why I do it, I just tend to end most of my posts with... I've been doing it for years on my college football forum and they quit giving me a hard time about it long ago...
welcome to the club! and don't worry about your ellipsis habit... as you can see, it's standard for me, in posts... love and hugs, maia
I am well, thanks. I'm having an amazing Memorial day and I hope all of you are as well. My brother-in-law was let out of the hospital this morning. I feel like I can start relaxing again...
