How to pitch a literary agent

If you have done all the long and hard work writing and polishing your book, it’s time to press play. If you want to get a publishing deal, this is where the rubber hits the road. You are going to be sending your book out to at least 20 traditional publishers or literary agents. The process is the same for both.
Remember, this is ultimately a sales game. Few writers send their proposal to one publisher and magically get picked up by the first one. Yes, it can and does occasionally happen. If you are crystal clear on your genre, have a knockout proposal, know the current publishing climate, your book is highly contemporary/timeless/a great story or you have a big platform and author brand, then maybe the first publisher you approach will sign you up. But in my experience that is HIGHLY unlikely.
************************************
​If there is a story inside you and you want to write it - then you are in the right place. Sarah Bullen is an international writing coach and author mentor. She has worked with writers for over a decade to help you to write a book.
I have loads of video lessons and written ones.
Find me at
www.thewritingroom.co.za/
There you can:
Join one of my online mentorships
Buy my latest book
Book a session to talk about your book
You may want to write a non-fiction book to expand your career, you may want to tell your own story, write a memoir or a novel. After 15 years of coaching authors, writing and editing books Sarah will guide you through the journey from the idea to publication. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa but works globally.
​
"Writing is a journey. Writing a book is a deep dive into a process of creativity and structure. I totally believe in planning your book and writing with intent. Sometimes it just takes some clear direction, and an understanding on how to structure a book to take you from having a dream of writing to becoming a published author. Let's walk that journey together. The writing is your job, my job is to show you how, to hold you accountable and to find your best book."

[@brandonfindlay2249]

I just wanted to offer thanks for pulling back the curtain a bit, and making the magic a little bit more accessible. Sincere thanks, indeed!

[@nicholas4581]

iam writing my first novel and this information was so relevant to me. Despite im from South america. Greetings from the butt of the world.

[@markovichamp]

Wow! That’s a great idea! MFC is 16yr old angry goth violin virtuoso…

[@AggieC819]

Thanks for being brutally honest, it really does help the novice understand. Bad news for introverts however......I breakout in hives just thinking about public speaking. 😢😂.

[@punkrockghostie]

hearing you say it also takes magic put a smile on my face, thank you :-)

[@baqirhemraj7639]

I have no agent, I pitch directly to the publishers, it is possible and feasible to do so and cut the red tape.

[@kct2012]

Thank you so much for this! it's fantastically helpful!

[@thestewozshow7042]

Great info thanks a lot.

[@peterrodgers2709]

Full of great information, thank you for this video.

[@bobcurrie1642]

Beautifully done, Sarah! Some quick questions: 1. I imagine the back-cover-style hook should NOT include spoilers, but the full synopsis should? 2. I'm concerned about what you said regarding age. I, like many others, am interested in serious writing now as I approach retirement. Is the agent/publisher route a dead-end (or at best a longshot)? Should I be looking at self-publishing? Thank you!

[@tracy-marie]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@1NosyRosyWorld]

Thank you so much for this! I read some of your beautiful writings and was transported to swirling chickens and amazing experiences - from deeply moving empathy to glorious otherworldly wonderment - similar to deep meditation and beyond. Most inspiring (In Spiritus Sancti!) Thank you for what you share with this beautiful world!

[@thewritingroomlessons]

Thank you Nosy Rosy. That is so great and the book is a wild ride indeed

[@lindiwesangweni-siddo6870]

So useful Sarah, thank you

[@thewritingroomlessons]

So glad!

[@timfisher5925]

Hi Sarah, thanks for the video very interesting and helpful information, I subscribed as i want to hear hear more of your thoughts. If I may I would like to ask you a question. I am a chef with a good background with lots of accreditation and awards to a very high level. I specialise in pastry, baking and chocolate and I have well over 1000 recipes of my own creation covering every aspect of this type of cooking. As a literary agent which is likely to be more interesting to you. A specialist book on one subject like say 100 biscuits & cookies or a blend of recipes covering desserts, chocolate, biscuits, breads etc etc? The thing I am worried about is pitching completely the wrong type of book and it being a shut door immediately. Is there a rule or gut feeling about this from a literary agents side? I could easily write either with my own personal style so neither is harder than another to write but if there is any reason to go one way or the other I would love to know your thoughts on this. Thanks in advanced Kind regards Tim

[@bendybruce]

Heading just completed my first novel I now find myself wondering where to from here? After watching this video I can't help but feel that writing the book was the easy part. Regardless thanks a lot for the insight.

[@azoz273]

Before you approach an agent, do you need the novel to be fully written?

[@GFSTaylor]

If it's fiction, yes. Always have a fully completed novel that's as good as you can get it.

[@acceptfilms9415]

Bummer I’m 62.

[@denniszenanywhere]

There's still time. Frank McCourt was 66 when he published Angela's Ashes, a Pulitzer Prize winner. I believe it was his debut novel/memoir.