Today, I’ve decided on a very subjective exploration about what makes me give a novel an unflinching thumbs up. This is not a blog that represents anyone’s taste but mine. Purely personal. I’m guessing there wouldn’t be another literary agent …
Fiction
Tick, Tick, Boom! Raising the Stakes to Raise an Agent’s Interest
It’s summertime, so let’s talk stakes. Not steaks, which we could talk about, especially if you’re planning a 4th of July cookout. Today, let’s discuss an essential ingredient of storytelling that makes the difference between an agent emailing you back …
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Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing BIPOC Characters or Stories
“If I add a BIPOC character to my novel, will it improve my chance of finding a traditional publisher?”
I’ve been asked that question several times over the years. There are several motivations behind posing it. However, I believe that …
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Creating Your Own Style Sheet
I was recently talking to Brittany Stonestreet, a friend who is finishing up her Masters in Publishing at the prestigious Emerson College in Boston. She mentioned she was just completing the style sheet for her newest YA novel. I
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Avoid Character Labels
I read a fiction manuscript last week that described a character as a cripple. I winced when I read the word and stopped to think about why I had such an immediate revulsion. After all, it was historical fiction and …
Getting an Agent to Read Your Entire Query
As a literary agent, I love seeing stacks of queries in my inbox. Like the other agents at Books & Such, I enjoy discovering unique book ideas, moving memoirs and fresh new voices. However, all literary agents must balance limited …
Fiction Giveaway Time!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I was struggling to find a blog topic, but then my eyes fell on a stack of beautiful novels. I have an extra copy of each of these books by my clients …
Story–The Common Ground Between Fiction and Nonfiction
Story–The Common Ground Between Fiction and Nonfiction
By Cynthia Ruchti
In a January 16, 2011 post for Psychology Today, Dr. Pamela B. Rutledge expounded on “The Psychological Power of Storytelling.” She focused on the concept as it relates to changes …
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An Agent’s Prerogative
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
You’ve heard that it’s a women’s prerogative to change her mind. As an agent I’m going to claim the same prerogative. As I look back on some of the things I stated categorically about the craft of …
Brilliant Description
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
When I open a fiction manuscript nothing gives away the skill level of the writer more quickly than the writer’s use of description. The novice tends to fall in love with description, offering it generously and effusively. …