I had an unfair advantage in that I worked in publishing and knew a few agents already. I met my first literary agent at a networking event at Waterstones Piccadilly in the early 2000s. She introduced me to a film agent. That didn’t work out and we parted ways… but soon after my first film got off the ground and I signed up with the director’s agency to do the deal. They also did my first book deal. But that didn’t work out either, so we parted ways (it was all very English and polite), and then I had to start submitting to agents. I made a shortlist and was lucky enough to get an offer from the splendid Ed Wilson at Johnson and Alcock for books and the excellent Matt Dench at Dench Arnold for scripts… None of which help you, however! It’s not uncommon to get dozens of rejections from agents. I always recommend going to a bookshop/library and finding books similar to yours, and then look at the acknowledgements in the back. The author will usually name their agent. Make a list of a dozen and start there.
Also, have a listen to this episode of my podcast about getting an agent. Some great tips… bestsellerexperiment.com/ep218-gray-williams-getting-published-with-an-amazing-agent/
Great video. I was just curious how many rejections you experienced with literary agents when breaking into publishing?
I had an unfair advantage in that I worked in publishing and knew a few agents already. I met my first literary agent at a networking event at Waterstones Piccadilly in the early 2000s. She introduced me to a film agent. That didn’t work out and we parted ways… but soon after my first film got off the ground and I signed up with the director’s agency to do the deal. They also did my first book deal. But that didn’t work out either, so we parted ways (it was all very English and polite), and then I had to start submitting to agents. I made a shortlist and was lucky enough to get an offer from the splendid Ed Wilson at Johnson and Alcock for books and the excellent Matt Dench at Dench Arnold for scripts… None of which help you, however! It’s not uncommon to get dozens of rejections from agents. I always recommend going to a bookshop/library and finding books similar to yours, and then look at the acknowledgements in the back. The author will usually name their agent. Make a list of a dozen and start there.
Also, have a listen to this episode of my podcast about getting an agent. Some great tips… bestsellerexperiment.com/ep218-gray-williams-getting-published-with-an-amazing-agent/
@@MarkStayWriter Will do. Thank you so much for taking the time to give such a detailed and helpful response.
@@MrK.A My pleasure. Good luck!