Anyone writing / written a book?

[HP2126]

Just wondering if anyone has either written or is writing a book?
If so, how have you found the process?
Have you contacted / obtained a literary agent / had your book published?

Hello @HP2126 🙂 This board is crawling with people who are writing books, have written books, are looking for agents... some have agents and a few have even been published. The waiting on agents thread is a good place to start, and reading through older threads can be very informative.

Which stage are you at? 😊

@Drybird2020 Thanks very much for the info, I'll take a look 😊.
I have just finished my first one, sent it to a couple of literary agents. Then I realised (after trawling through some articles) just how difficult it is to get one! 🙈

I contributed content (illustrations) to two published books last year and acquired an agent for all media through that, I’m writing something now which is for publication this year. I’m also looking into self publishing or a hybrid solution because (I like my agent but) there’s this feeling of everyone else getting the biggest slices of the pie in profits. On the other hand I’d have to do more stuff myself.

@Ylfa that's amazing! Is the agent you are with based in London?
Yes, I've noticed a lot of people are doing self publishing now, I wouldn't know where to start with. I'll have to do more research! Lol.
Is the cut an agent takes around 20%?

Yes London, not sure about the 20%, think it’s quite a bit lower. If I come across my copy of the agreement which is ‘filed’ somewhere I’ll have a look. Congratulations on finishing your book and very best of luck with it. Keep us updated!

I have 5 rom coms out that are self published. I pitched to numerous publishers and agents but was told I'm so so close but try writing X instead (where they'd suggest a significantly different book), then would be told to contact them for my next book. I found a dream cover designer and editor and haven't looked back since but I will start querying again in the future as I'd like to get into bookshops. At the moment I make money but not a wage (I make a few hundred a month). I'll admit my first book was the easiest as I was doing it for fun but I do love it all, very hard work but so worth it when you do that final read through! Best of luck op

I write historical fiction, I have an agent and a traditional contract. Getting an agent is harder I think than getting a publishing contract as there are publishers who will sometimes have open submissions.

My agent takes 15% but her negotiating skills mean my deals are much bigger than I would get without her - plus she's there to support me, offer advice and have my back in an industry that can be stressful and extremely confusing. So ime, a good agent is more than worth their comission - and I still end up with more money than I could ever make on my own.

When I was querying, I was on a thread on the creative writing board here with other people doing the same as me, so there was a lot of advice and shared experience.

Also, I found it really helpful to go on Twitter and follow lots of authors, agents and publishers. Authors often have blogs or articles about how they got their agent, agents themselves will post tips on polishing submissions, you will hear how many brilliant and successful writers got tons of rejections which can be heartening! And you can get a good sense of where your work might fit.

Good luck!

@stayathomer @LouiseMayAlcott @NoOtherShadeOfBlue @Ylfa
Thanks so much for all of your advice. I like the sound if an agent and traditional contract mainly as they seem to do most of the work that I have no idea to do. Self publishing does sound like another good route too and I know a lot of people seem to be doing that. Not sure I have enough spare time to do the work that would be involved in that though?
I guess I'll see what/if anything comes back from the submissions sent and gi from there.
Not many northern literary agencies though, they all seem to be in London!
Fingers crossed I hear something positive back! 🤞
Are there any specific literary agents people would recommend or have heard good things about in the childrens book market? Seems like a difficult market from my research x

HP2126
I'm Irish, so the first place any Irish author will send you to is Sarah Webb on Twitter, she's a children's author and basically heads up a load of literary festivals, runs courses and writes on the publishing industry in Ireland and the UK. On her website there's advice from many people from the publishing industry. First port of call though: the Writer's handbook. It is the bible of writing with listings for agents, publishers and guest pieces from experts. www.amazon.co.uk/Writers-Artists-Yearbook-2022/dp/1472982835/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@stayathomer thank you! 😊 bizarrely I've just bought that book, it looks really good and helpful!
I'll check out Sarah Webb too, thanks for the heads up, that's great! 😁 x