Meet the Literary Agent: Madeleine Milburn

Madeleine talks to us about being a literary agent and the Festival of Writing. Book your place at the Festival of Writing 2015
www.writerswork...
September 4th - 6th in York, UK.
Watch the 2015 trailer!
• The Festival of Writin...
Writing and Direction - Lisa Goll
Titles and Camera - Lois Walshe
Editing and Sound - Zoe Kenndal Shafir

[@zacharychancey1315]

Thanks for this. It was very helpful. Breaking ground on my first novel now. Sci-Fi. Wish me luck. ;-)

[@davidreynolds2450]

+Zak Chancey Good luck, same here.

[@tracyjones1102]

Having finished my very first novel, I took the 'advice' of a friend who had read through my novel and considered it 'perfect'. I was very naive, did what was suggested and sent a (badly written) query and (even worse) synopsis out to every agent I could find - and unsurprisingly all rejected me. I think I made every rookie mistake in the book! Since then I have learned a lot, had my novel professionally edited and learned how to write a proper synopsis. Is it acceptable to now approach some of those agents again with this newly edited manuscript?

[@MrK.A]

Of course it's okay. You can always approach agents you've queried before with a different project. A no means no to your submitted manuscript, not you as a writer and every potential future projects.

[@alfogel3298]

What these writers don’t understand is that even if you get an agent, 99 out of 100 books ( if they are fiction) will fail in terms of an agent finding a traditional publisher and you ( after paying an agent ) making a decent profit. And almost all these videos do not tell you the book that the agent represents or any follow up as to how the book or books are selling.
So tell me, do you still have an agent and how are your books selling.
Writers get so exited when an agent wants your manuscript , so excited that you think you won the million dollar lottery. When all you won was an agent
who ( if this is your first fiction book) will not land you a lucrative traditional contract.
Best bet is to self-publish and do your own promotion.
Just my opinion.
I’ve been a published and self-published author for over 30 years.
All love in isolation,
Al

[@mydogrosemary2556]

You shouldn't be paying an agent anything. Their money comes from getting you published and book sold. You are using the wrong agent.

[@yoshimimiyazaki2602]

I've self published book 7 of a 10 book series and still working my day job. Just sent a couple of 3 chapters to the Milburn agency. If you are open is there any way I can pick your brain? Thank you. yk miyazaki [e-mail]

[@ilikegirls6715]

Umm, Where Are You From, Milburn?

[@michaeljarvie2898]

Haha. One of the agents who rejected my work. Even gets a mention in one of my books.