Is it worth submitting to US agents from the UK? Does it ever get a result? Are they interested in UK writers?

Just wondering

Colin M

I'd say so. A member of my writing group submitted to the US and now she has a four-book contract and departs in April on a 10-city book signing tour!

Go for it!

<Added>

Although I think it may be her UK agent who submitted to US markets.

Blimey, she's done well.

Best

Joe

Yes, she has. (And she writes for children, same as Colin does!)

Thanks Ani. I posted out a load of enquiry emails last night. That website that was posted up here was pretty damn useful for finding the right addresses.

everyonewhosanyone

Colin

Did you have a good look at that site? It's hilarious, isn't it? As well as informative!

It's very funny in places. He seems to have the gift of the gab, but you can see a few agents getting very annoyed at him. I like the ones who insist he remove their email address.

Anyway, as far as US Agents go, I got a "nibble" this afternoon, a New York agent asked for a sample of my novel.



Colin

After approximately twenty sniffy rejections from agents and publishers in dear old conservative up-its-own-arse Blighty, I submitted my first novel to two US publishers.

The first one was going through some big changes, but praised the work and invited me to resubmit if i didn't have any joy in six months or so. The second one requested the full manuscript, and three months later offered me a contract and a book deal.

In my dealings with America, I have found the publishers easy to talk to, approachable and open minded. In the UK, I have been continually praised with one hand, and slapped down with the other. Also, I have had the displeasure of reading several rejection notes with bad grammar, mispellings of common words and rather lofty opinions about stuff.

Conclusion: America is a lot more forward looking and relaxed about its publishing. The UK is stuck somewhere around 1873.

JB

I'd recommend subscribing to Writers Market (www.writersmarket.com). It's relatively cheap and if I recall you don't have to subscribe for more than a month at at time. It has an excellent database of US agents and publishers (and non-US too), which you can search by subject or whatever. One thing that's useful is that the Writers' Market page on each agent or publisher tells you what they're looking for at this particular time and gives tips about submitting. There's also links to the agents'/publishers' websites. US agents tend to be much more helpful on their websites than UK agents (most of whom don't even have websites), some even give you examples of the kind of cover letter, etc, that will most grab their attention.

JB, is this the one that's coming out in 2007 as mentioned in your profile? What's it called? And will it be available over here?
Apologies for being nosy, please ignore if you wish.

There seems to be a better vibe from America than some folk (not here) have led me to believe.

Joe

Terry, I just looked in the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.

I mustn't be up to speed with this internet business because after sending my submission I kept yakking on to my wife how amazing it is that I press SEND and a few moments later, a whole submission pitch appears in the PC of some dude in New York. Totally amazine. Mind you, I think TV remote controls are pretty cool too, and get giggly about barcodes.

Colin M

ps remember you're original post about your book JB. Great news that.

<Added>

ah, the bugger just rejected me. Say what you like about the Yanks, they don't hang about.

No, that's what I found - they are a lot more efficient when it comes to giving you feedback, even if it is a rejection.

The book will hopefully be available here. It depends how well it does in the states, I guess. I don't want to reveal its title yet though - surprises and all that!

JB

Write it in puzzle form. Whoever guesses wins a signed copy!

I have had contact with several Amercian agents, Iwould agree on the whole that the feedback is more astute and certainly a tad more hospitalable.

J Cham