Making the Magazine Leap
Monday, July 12, 2010 Question of the day: How did you make the switch from magazines to books? Was it easier to find an agent via your magazine experience?
I made the switch in the most elemental way possible: I wrote a manuscript and shopped it around to agents while still juggling my freelance work. It really was that simple! I don't think there's a magic formula or anything to making this transition, though certainly, it requires discipline, as you're not getting paid to write your fiction, and without a deadline, it's very easy to let it lapse. Most magazine writers are excellent at meeting mandated deadlines, but when they're self-imposed deadlines - with no guarantee of publication - they're a lot easier to ignore.
Actually, let me rewind - it wasn't simple. That's probably not the right word to use. But in terms of overall formula, that's how it worked. The details though were a little trickier. My first manuscript took me four years to write, thanks partially to what I stated above: deadlines and motivation, but also partially thanks to the fact that I didn't know what I was doing. Once I finally completed the ms, I landed an agent but an agent who didn't end up selling the book. So I wrote another one. Which did sell. Albeit with a new agent after I parted ways with the old one. All the while, I was still freelancing at a very rapid pace to keep the checks coming and to keep my byline out there. I would work on magazine pieces in the morning - they had concrete deadlines after all, and I needed to be sure that I met them - and write fiction in the afternoons. I was crazy busy, too busy probably, but I didn't want to let that deter me: once I'd written fiction, I knew that I had to see it through. So I did.
Again, both simple and not. I wrote a good query letter (which, yes, referenced my magazine experience) and cast a wide net in a blind agent search. I found one (after the first agent didn't work out) who I knew was right for me, and well, four books later, she still is. That's truly all I did - not much different than anyone else. Now, did my magazine experience help? It probably got my query letter read more frequently and also probably got me more requests for partials. But 100%, it did NOT land me representation. The manuscript has to stand on its own - I don't care if you have ever magazine credit known to man - without a strong manuscript, you're not going to land an agent. So again - and I've stressed this countless times here! - please be triple sure that your manuscript is ready to see the light of day.
So that's how I did it. There really isn't a secret handshake or magic formula. It's mostly about self-discipline and writing a good book. (Really! And that should come as good news to those of you who don't come from the writing world - it really is anyone's ball game.)
Reader Comments (6)
Hahaha I figured it was a little something like that.
However, I am interested that you gave Agent Number One the chop... I'd be interested in how that came about and how you did it.
And whatever happened to that first MS?!
But really, there's a secret handshake, isn't there? ;P
I also would love to hear what happened to that first novel that didn't "make it" with your initial agent. I am sending out queries for my first novel and getting lots of requests for the full ms but then no takers once they've read it! I am in the midst of research for my next book which I feel sure will be better than the one I am currently shopping to agents.
I'm wondering when to call it on my current ms and just push through this next--hopefully better--novel and then start all over again. If that happens I'm doubtful the old ms could be revived later on down the road. I am excited about starting this next book, thank goodness, but I feel kind of sad pondering abandoning the old one...
Hi guys,
No problem! I'll pull this question out about my first agent and put it up later this week or early next!
Allison
Yes, please let us know what transpired! I love these glimpses into "the process." Thanks for sharing!
What shines through your post is the self discipline involved. I've never had such self discipline as in these days of writing combined with mothering 3 daughters, combined with all of the other elements of my life. I think it makes for better writing to commit to that manuscript, every single day,
I, too, can't wait to hear your agent story. I have culled so much from your experiences. Thanks so much for sharing.