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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Writer and Agent



Joe Kertes, author and founder of the Humber School for Writers, recently spoke at Humber College about the business of getting published. This is a summary of his talk.

A manuscript has five readers. In order they are


1. You
2. An agent
3. Editor of a publishing house
4. Reviewers
5. Readers

It's important to have an agent because they can walk by the slush piles and the assistants. They can walk in the front door of a publishing house and say to an editor, "I think you should read this."

An agent has done her homework. She knows which publishers will like your book and which won't. Writers don't usually know this information.

Underneath publishers are a network of scouts. Your agent will know these scouts and be able to put your book in their hands.

The hierarchy goes like this:

Publisher
Scout
Agent
Subagent

Agents can negotiate better terms than you can. They won't sign away film rights, for example. Publishers will leave out clauses and agents will spot these omissions.

Agents can get after publishers and demand the marketing of your book.

A first-time writer takes 10 times the amount of time to promote. Most agents won't deal with the entry-level writer.


Literary agent, Margaret Hart, also spoke about the role of agents and what they are looking for from writers. Here is a summary of her talk.

A lot of agents are former English teachers who appreciate good writing.

Manuscripts have to be ready: a good story, well-written, energetic, a good arc to the story. If you want to stay up reading the book, that's a good sign.

Recently a publisher at Penguin asked Margaret Hart, "Can you tell me this is excellent writing?" It made her pause. She could say it was a good story, promising writing, even good writing, but excellent writing?

An agent wants to be able to say about your book. "Yes, it's excellent writing."

Sometimes a publisher can't take a book because they just bought a book on the same topic.

Writers have to be patient and wait their turn. An agency is representing numerous authors.

End of Talk (Humber School of Writers, July 10, 2010)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Country Roads: Memoirs from Rural Canada at Munro's Books





Munro's Books in Victoria is carrying Country Roads in their Canadiana section right near the front of the store. So easy to spot that cover with its colourful chicken! I'm very proud to have a memoir in this book.

Friday, July 23, 2010

David Mamet's Advice

START, EVERY TIME, WITH THIS INVIOLABLE RULE: THE SCENE MUST BE DRAMATIC. it must start because the hero HAS A PROBLEM, AND IT MUST CULMINATE WITH THE HERO FINDING HIM OR HERSELF EITHER THWARTED OR EDUCATED THAT ANOTHER WAY EXISTS.

If you'd like to see the whole memo go to:
http://www.movieline.com/2010/03/david-mamets-memo-to-the-writers-of-the-unit.phphttp://

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Humber School for Writers


The week is winding down and what a rich experience. Last night's student readings were amazing. I read from my newly finished novel, Pike Bay Lodge, but I was just one of about 45 students who read at the event. There was such variety in the writing: everything from baseball players to rubber chickens, to Cape Breton mines. And speaking of Cape Breton...
Alistair MacLeod led a wonderful workshop full of insight and laughter. He told us to write about the things that worry us, reminding us that these things are directly connected to where we live in Canada. In addition to the morning workshops, we were treated to many lectures. Today's talks were inspiring.
Wayson Choy offered this advice: "The things you comfortably remember are boring." So when you write, you should go to the material that makes you ask, "What is my mother going to think of this?"
MG Vassanji related the story of writing his nonfiction book on India. A lovely, thoughtful speaker, he told us about going to his ancestral home for the first time. To complete the book, he had to return several times but as he advised, "It would take several lifetimes to see India."
The day concluded with a reading of As Birds Bring Forth the Sun by Alistair MacLeod that illicited a standing ovation. We are truly blessed to have this wonderful writer and generous man in our midst.