Tuesday, April 27, 2010

As Luck Would Have It

Just a short one as I'm off tonight to the London Writers' Club to see agent Lucy Luck (what a great name -- and sorry, I couldn't resist the title!) discuss that burning topic: How to Get an Agent. I've been to a few such events and it's always interesting to hear what people in the industry have to say, but this time I'm also looking forward to meeting a few of the writers I've stalked (ahem - followed) on Twitter.

Of course this means I do need to squeeze into my rarely worn 'normal' clothes (read: not stretch fabric) and comb my hair, but I'm hoping it will be worth it in the end!

I'll unload any pearls of wisdom I can glean later tonight or tomorrow morning.


And... there's news in the air! I'll share all tomorrow!


UPDATE: Lucy's Pearls of Wisdom

After actually painting my toenails and shimmying into my now-too-tight jeans, I managed to do the near-impossible and leave the flat! The group was a good size -- about 30, maybe -- and over a few drinks we all settled in to hear Lucy talk about what she looks for and how she got to be an agent. She's a friendly and bubbly speaker and it was a pleasure to listen to her.

Some of her points (keep in mind this is from a UK perspective):
  • The publishing industry has always been tough; it hasn't really got any tougher
  • Writers generally sign with the agent, not the agency
  • Translation rights, American rights and film rights are the most important things for writers to hang onto, to maximise later
  • There is a real disparity between the 'branded' authors and new authors in terms of what publishers are prepared to take risks on
  • What makes her commit to a book? If she reads the first bit, then puts it away and still remembers it after a few weeks and wants to read more, then she'll take another look
  • For her, it's all about cadence and voice
  • She works closely with authors to edit their MS but will usually only do three rounds of MS edits with them
  • DON'T begin your MS with a character waking up from a hang-over -- clichéd and she sees this loads of times
  • First person and present tense are incredibly hard to pull off
  • You have to practise writing. You wouldn't expect a concert pianist etc to be great right away.
  • You must write because you enjoy it, not just to get published.
  • Personalise your approach to agents. Do research on their websites.
  • Online presence and promotional skills are good (like the icing on the cake), but what's really important is the writing!

57 comments:

  1. Enjoy! And have fun with the non-stretchy clothes. ;)

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  2. Haha, you can borrow some of my detangling spray.

    Hey, sounds like fun, you have to tell us everything they teach you. Have fun!

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  3. I tell ya, getting into normal clothes and combing you hair, that for me sometimes outweighs going out in public! Have fun.

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

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  4. I'm looking forward to tomorrow!!!!

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  5. How exciting! Hope you have a wonderful and rewarding evening. Rubbing shoulders with writers you erremm follow on Twitter!

    Looking forward to your pearls of information tomorrow.

    Have a great time!

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  6. A night out in London is on my bucket list. I can only dream! Have a wonderful time!

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  7. oh, you tease!! Have fun, learn lots! :D

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  8. NEWS?!?!?! NEWS?!!?

    Oh you are a tease - you're a terrible terrible tease!!!

    LOL!!

    I hope you are spending this time NOT telling us - your loyal followers - by sprucing and scrubbing up nicely! You've got a reputation now you know..

    :-)

    I am most excited for you!!!

    You are just too bad!!

    Take care and enjoy tonight!!

    x

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  9. boo on the getting dressed.
    But Yay on the fun writerly times!

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  10. News? Now that's a way to keep us coming back for more - you have a talent at that. :)

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  11. Good luck, Talli, I thought that was a shamrock picture for a minute. I dont have normal clothes, I have my clothes and my sister's clothes for every other occasion in life. Now, you will have us all awake all night waiting for your news.....

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  12. Awesome. Have fun Talli. Best of luck.

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  13. Rooting for you girl, you deserve it, be good, K x

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  14. Normal non stretchy clothes are highly overrated but I suppose it's a must if you have to go out in public.

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  15. Have fun! And I like to console myself with the fact that you're at least 5 hours ahead of me, time zone-wise, so you'll be spilling the beans soon (I hope)!

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  16. Go get 'em!!! How did the whole combing your hair thing go?

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  17. I've just had a shower (exciting update). Now I have to decide what to wear! Quite a quandry, as all my non-stretchy clothes are at the back of the wardrobe...

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  18. Have a great time! Can't wait to hear your newfound pearls of wisdom!

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  19. have fun! what a great club to be a member of!

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  20. Have fun! And post what you learn for us, I need an agent, too!

    As for the stretchy clothes, sometimes I still wear it underneath the regular clothes. I'm stubborn like that. :)

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  21. Tease!

    I hope you have a great time in your non-stretch clothes (that made me snarf out loud!). :)

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  22. Have a blast Talli! I look forward to a full report!

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  23. haha! have an awesome time! we want details!!

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  24. It's always fun to have non-stretchy pants. At least for a little while. If I don't have to go out, I never dress to impress either.

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  25. Have fun!!! Combing hair is always a good idea; I should try that today too. I'm sure you'll learn a lot!

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  26. Oh...I hope you have good news to share. Good luck!

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  27. Looking forward to hearing more!

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  28. I've just painted my toe-nails! Now I've really gone crazy. I still had last August's polish on them!

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  29. AGH we have to wait until tomorrow for news?! Heehee. I really hope it is good news about your book, honey. Will keep fingers crossed for you. And have a lovely time tonight - gosh, I really have to get into doing these sort of things. I guess checking out the London Writers' Club is a start - thanks for highlighting it! Hope the toe-nails look fabulous. And the rest of you, naturally! :)

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  30. But stretch clothes are comfortable (she says lounging in hers). I'm pretending I'm going with you.

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  31. Enjoy!
    Hey I gave a blog award today!

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  32. I've met Lucy; she's really lovely. Hope you have a good time.

    I know the non-stretchy clothing thing, I'll have to do that myself tomorrow.

    Helena xx

    PS. I came over from your other blog - I had no idea you had two.

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  33. Looking forward to what you learn!

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  34. GOOD LUCK! Share the wisdom when you get back - looking forward to it!! :D

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  35. It's good to put on real clothes and go out in public once in a while. That's the only way I know whether I still fit in my jeans or not.

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  36. Good luck with Luck and have a good time! Looking forward to some lucky pearls of wisdom.

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  37. Wishing you lots of fun and lots of luck.
    I have a friend who's represented by Lucy Luck, she sounds fab
    x

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  38. Looking forward to hearing what Lucy Luck had to say. We all need a bit of what she's named after.

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  39. Sounds like a great time, can't wait to hear the scoop!

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  40. Have fun and bring back all the good details. :)

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  41. a writer's club! what fun! that's like, a mini-conference all the time!

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  42. I just keep trying to come up with more "luck" puns.

    Have fun.

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  43. Ha! I wear a lot of stretchy clothes when I sub gym. Try not to adjust the uncomfortable attire too much. Have fun with Lucy Luck.

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  44. Ooh, can't wait to find out your news:)

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  45. Talli--I can't wait to hear your news! I hope have a wonderful time tonight.

    You won my signed book contest! :) I think I have your email, but if otherwise--email me at skmayh (at) q (dot) com with your address. Funnily enough, both winners were from England.

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  46. Talli,
    What a fortuitous name! I'm wishing you all the best and also that you meet some of your writer-friends.

    Am looking forward to reading about the news that's in the air tomorrow. :)

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  47. Have a great time! What an awesome opportunity :)

    (PS - strangely I'm discussing stalking in my post today :))

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  48. Have a great time! Can't wait for the news!

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  49. How fun! Can't wait to hear all about it!

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  50. Oooohhhhh awesome! have fun and I hope you get a lot out of it. And that is a pretty Bad-Ass name!

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  51. Fun! I hope you have an awesome time. :D

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  52. Can't wait to hear those pearls of wisdom. I could use a few agent pearls, my jewel box is just about empty.

    There's a little something for you over on my blog. Swing by if you have time.

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  53. I love writing group! Hope you had fun.

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Coffee and wine for all!