Are You Really Ready for a Literary Agent?

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Alyssa Matesic is hired as my literary agent.

[@ItsJennB]

Thanks for the tip about summer being slow! I'm just starting this process so now I will take the summer to research and start sending letters in the fall 👍

[@soccerguy325]

Thanks so much for all the advice Alyssa. Likely all of us are total newbies to the business (I know I am), so your videos really help us manage our way through something that seems like a scary dark tunnel ahead. Thank you so much for you generosity!

[@gibbosandwich8466]

Thank you for your advice. I’m currently in the process of reaching out to different Literacy Agencies within and outside of the UK and so far I’ve heard back from two. It’s true when you mentioned it’s like dating or I guess applying for a job but I have faith that it will be a rewarding experience when the right agent comes along. Great videos!

[@vianneyvazquez]

Hi Alyssa, I'm excited to listen to your videos every Sunday! The way you describe publishing quells the nerves I feel about the process. I'm writing a novel, not done, but your tips are motivating. Thanks.

[@AK-xj2di]

You're excellent, I love all your videos

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Glad you like them!

[@bibi_shmibi]

thanks Alyssa for this video, just found your channel and it helps out so much navigating the scary path of publishing, I didn't even know literary agents existed before today, looking forward watching many more of your videos

[@AlyssaMatesic]

I'm so glad! Good luck with your publishing journey!

[@DesmoDreams]

Really useful thanks. Will definitely include reviews from my readers. The positive ones anyway! 😀

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Of course!

[@jamesbenthul4590]

I am appalled with how many agents ask for a bio. I have no writing accolades and am uncertain how to offer credentials as a fiction writer.

[@PaulJolley]

I have the completed non fiction manuscript in a series of books. Potentially 16 in the serious.

[@MrDanroche]

I’m probably the most resilient writer going. 30 short stories, 10 novels, and 500 rejections. Still writing. Still submitting

[@prashantkumar4217]

Love your perseverance! ❤️

[@MrDanroche]

@@prashantkumar4217 thanks!

[@nomasmedia2053]

I only wish for your determination. Well done 👍

[@MrDanroche]

@@nomasmedia2053 it’ll happen. Doors always open when you knock long enough

[@BrittneySamoneSilver]

Keep going.

[@A-Nonnie-Mouse]

What are your thoughts on using Wattpad for readers? I watched interviews with agents from a few years ago and they didn't consider it publishing at the time, but have things changed?

[@ellingtonthegoose7646]

hi, thanks so much for your videos, they've been really helpful! a quick question, if i am not eighteen yet, should i mention that in my query letter? i've seen some people say that age doesn't matter and to leave it out in case it looks like bragging, but others have said to mention it because the agent might want to know before they get involved. what are your thoughts on this?

[@ItsLeo96]

Hi Alyssa Thanks for the video. I have been getting rejections and I am running out of literary agency, where can I get a list of literary agencies? Kind regards Leo

[@David-fv7zg]

Do you edit/assist with Query letters?

[@NexusVoid90]

I'm sure she does help with query letters. She recently provided an assessment on my first novel and she also does developmental edits. Keep in mind that collaboration with any professional editor is an expensive investment; but it's absolutely worth the cost, in my opinion.

[@joshuaolsen6509]

I'm 70,000 words into the sequel to my novel "Creatures of Darkness and Assorted Naughtiness", which was published by Booklocker (self-publisher) and distributed across a ton of different sites. The sequel, I think, will stand entirely on it's own, but I'm curious as to whether an agent will get twitchy about the first novel having been self-published.

[@rowan7929]

I have just finished my latest book and requesting for beta readers. Hopefully I get good ones as in the past I struggled to find people who actually read my entire script or give me much needed feedback. After it has been edited, I hope I will get an agent as sadly, every agent I queried, has rejected my latest work. Which is more painfuller than a single rejection. Only a few offered me to query them again.

[@billy.bandit]

Good betas who *actually read your book and actually give thoughtful feedback* will be the hardest thing to find. Most new authors skip this, and it shows. Just take your time, ask friends to be super honest, cos an agent won't usually say why they passed on your book - only a beta will fill you in with life saving advice... Don't give up

[@rowan7929]

@@billy.bandit looks that way. Which is why I hired my editor to have a look at it. At least she not only makes sure my book sounds good, but tells me what makes sense or not. And any any other issues which pop up.

[@keithmurphy3470]

There are some reasonably priced beta readers on fivver, but I'm not sure if paying for betas is really a good route or not

[@dchap3871]

I second the Fiverr suggestion. It simplified the beta reading process into reliable consistent feedback. If you’d like suggestions let me know!

[@rowan7929]

@@dchap3871 Please do so. I write adult dark fantasy.

[@sjgeorge3831]

Ok I finished the full book 130k but o only have the first three edited, should I edit the rest before I reach out?

[@zw9438]

Should I get my work copyrighted before I send it into a literacy agent?