Agent needed for debut novel

[Ginfox]

My husband is currently out of work, and is taking the opportunity to write the book he's been mulling over for years. He's 12+ chapters in, and has spoken to a couple of agents re: getting it published. One was not helpful, the other was downright rude. Any advice on how to proceed? Or is it a case of plugging away until someone relents and actually has a look at the thing?

Thanks all.

ginfox I suggest you get him a copy of The Artists' and Writers' Yearbook. It's a bit of a reality check, I'm afraid. Most agents won't consider looking at a manuscript until it is complete. Even then, each one has strict requirements about what type of submissions they will consider, and what format these have to be received in.

That said, there are signs that agents are realising they need to be a bit less arrogant about the process, with the rise of respectable self publishing as a bit of a challenge to their domain.

Depending on the genre I would suggest your husband seriously looks at the option of on line publishing - see the Amanda Hocking story in the Guardian for inspiration. It's very hard work doing the editing etc yourself, but as he has time on his hands maybe it's a viable option?

Also have a snoop around the Creative writing threads on MN for lots of other tips. Actual published authors hang out there!

Good luck to him.

Thanks FP. Yes he's got that book, and he's released the first two chapters as a kindle on Amazon. I'm proof-reading for him as my grammar is better than his, but I don't know if it's good enough IYSWIM.

We knew it was going to be like this, but it's still a blow to your confidence when people won't even talk to you. I have to keep reminding him that he should write it for enjoyment, as he never actually intended to publish it in the first place.

we print DH's book ourselves and sell it through his website (not vanity publishing, but print on demand)

That's interesting Talkin. How much does a book cost to print? Does he plan to do this long term, or just to generate interest?

www.printondemand-worldwide.com/
we use it as a mixed advertising tool, gift, diversification
the books are a sideline, but they look dead good when they come back from the printer

Not sure what the benefits of an agent is, tbh. Have you looked at lulu.com or the idea of publishing as an e-book? There are lots of self-publishing services out there so worth spending time to find a 'package' that suits.

Here's an interesting article with some useful links about half way down.

Exciting! Good luck.

Oh, my appalling grammar!