My Journey to get an Agent
Sunday March 29, 2015 | By Hieronymus Hawkes | hunting for representation | Leave Comments
Are you or someone you know looking for an agent? Let me share with you what I've learned in the process. I'm aiming at fiction novelists. If you write short stories, or non-fiction or anything other than novel length fiction this isn't really for you.
There are a few things you will need to start the process--a manuscript, a query letter, a synopsis, and a list of agents.
First and foremost you need a finished manuscript. You can prep the other stuff, but before you send the first thing to a potential agent you need to have your MS completed, reviewed by alphas and betas, and edited as well as possible. It should be polished to a fine sheen, because this is the thing that will cement the deal. Even if you write a great query and a great synopsis, if your manuscript is subpar the agent is going to pass. (more…)
How to Build a Novel
Monday June 3, 2013 | By Hieronymus Hawkes | Blogging | Leave Comments
[caption id="attachment_326" align="alignleft" width="404"]
CC attributed to Boston Public Library[/caption]
I haven’t really talked about what I’ve been working on for my thesis. Of course it’s science fiction but it’s very different from my first novel, which is securely trunked for now. I had a different story in mind when I went into residency, but I felt like the story I decided to use was much more timely and relevant. Also, I had a much better grip on how it would end, and I wanted something I knew I could finish to complete my degree.
I’ve been writing with a purpose to publish for about four years now and still have nothing to show for it, but I know I’m a much better writer now than I was when I started this process, and it is a process. The more I learn the more I understand that the learning will never end and it should be a constant improvement as I get more words under my belt. (more…)
