Hi to all!! I am currently working on my first book and am at the stage that I want to take things further and get published. Have been advised to get a literary agent. Am just so clueless and would really appreciate any advice from anyone. My genre is erotic, black lace i think its called. thanks xxx

Hi MissScarlett, and welcome.
Why don't you join us in the Intimate Moments group? It's just been set up for anyone wanting to try out sex scenes/erotica/love scenes.
Susiex

I will susie thanks for that!

Miss Scarlet, I am a virgin too and also working on my first novel. I have gathered that you don't try to get an agent till you've finished and polished your novel.

It seems it's different for non-fiction, and can be different for already published authors, but for a first timer I don't think an agent would be interested till you've produced the goods.

However, if the more experienced come along and tell you I'm wrong, then listen to them!

Another thought: if you're writing specifically for Black Lace, which is an imprint IIRC, then you may be better off targeting them directly rather than through an agent. Have you asked them if they have any writers' guidelines? I don't think most publishers do, but if Black Lace operate more like Mills & Boon than like many conventional publishers then they may have. Check out their web site and/or email to ask.

Deb

Miss Scarlett, there's a good basic round-up here:

http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/resources.htm

of the things you need to think about in trying to get your work published. It's put together by one of the editorial services, but you can ignore that, and just benefit from their experience...

Emma

Hi Scarlett,

I would repeat the adviced given here and also say that just hanging this site is interesting and educational, it's a good chance to pick up all sorts of interesting info from people who have been round the block more times than oneself

Hi Scarlett,

The best way to find the appropriate agents is here:

http://www.writersservices.com/agent/uk/agent_uk.htm

But I agree with the others that doind as much honing as you can on your manuscript before submtting will maximise your chances. If an agency rejects the ms, they won't look at it again after it's been polished unless they specficially indicate they'd be interested in looking at a revised ms. So you only get the one chance with each - and I'd guess that with something a bit 'niche' like erotica there's a smaller number of agents in the field than for more mainstream fiction.

Also wondering if the Romantic Novelists Association (which includes a ot of HMB authors, including their 'hotter' lists) caters for writers of erotica as such. Might be worth checking out their site to find out. They charge for membership but are a great place for networking within the broad romance genre, and offer a critiquing service to new authors as part of the benefits of membership.

Best of luck - oh, and welcome to WW!

Rosy