Hi - i joined today after stumbling on the site during a flat moment yesterday. I was published by Highland Books in 1992 (non-fiction) and have now decided to take the plunge and send my proposal for a children's book to a few agents. OK I know I said I'd never do it again, but....
I looked at the Waterstones competition and didn't like their terms, (£1,000 - and they say they're looking for the next Rowling...erm?)
Can anyone recommend an agent who is taking on new writers? For kids fiction?
I feel very nervous - I went through the usual hell of rejections before having my last book published. But hey... I'm a glutton for punishment.
love and blessings Helen

Best thing to do, Helen, other than personal recommendations/networking etc, is look at the Writer's Handbook or Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, and just go through the list of agents highlighting those who deal with children's fiction - then send it off.

Good luck!

LoL

A
xxx

Hi there, yes I did this last time - and found the 30 or so replies of 'we're not taking on new authors' very discouraging.
i guess i could phone them all first, but I'd be so grateful for any shared experiences, advice etc.
After my book was published in 2002 I self published the next 3, and have sold a few thousand copies, and am in profit, but i have come up with an idea which seems mainstream. i have a friend in the book industry (not an agent - sadly) who says this one needs to be seen.
i know we've all heard it before, and dreamed it, but I am loathe to try the Yearbook approach .... yet! Help???!!
this is awful - since joining this morning i keep breaking off from writing to see if i have any replies??
helen

a lot of the directory entries here at WW have comments as to whether they accept submissions - well worth giving that a browse.

Thanks for that, how do I access the lists?
helen

Helen - go to the dark orange buttons at the top of the screen you are now looking at and choose the 4th one along from the left - it's all in there!

Happy searching!

)

LoL

A
xxx

Helen,

Welcome to WW.

It is fiendishly difficult to find an agent these days and, even when you’ve got one, it’s difficult for them to sell new authors to the publishers.

However, you have a slight head-start in that you have been published before and the ones you’ve self published are doing well. To sell a few thousand copies without the support of a publisher is no small achievement.

If I were you I’d go through the Directory on here, and the Yearbooks, make a list of all the agents who handle children’s fiction, and send the first two or three chapters with a synopsis – whatever they specify. Make sure that in your introductory letter you tell them of your past publishing successes. If they’re genuinely not taking anyone on then you just have to accept it but, for those who may have a little slack, that’s bound to stir some interest.

Good luck.

Dee

Doh!
I tried to access the directory and found it blocked because i'm ony a trial member.
I'll have to investigate the cost of full membership.
This forum is so FAB! Suddenly i have contact with people out there, who are in the same boat as me.

Any more ?

I'm in a similar situation to you, Helen - just joined the site on a trial basis, have been published a bit before, recently finished writing a children's book for the 8-12s.

Two publishers I've sent a synopsis and three chapters to are Egmont Books and The Chicken House. Both say they will read submissions. Check out the latter's web site - http://www.doublecluck.com/ - I really like the look of them!

Frances

<Added>

You know what they say - the best time to get an agent is when you've just got a publisher!

Frances, this is so kind of you, I'll try both. My book is for 12 - ? I have a contact in the book world - he wrote Morpurgo's biography, and I'll also send my idea to him for help. But I'm wary even of doing this, as i had a dreadful, ghastly letter from a very WELL KNOWN writer (female) who used to teach me years ago. Her scathing letter, (she hadn't seen my work) sent me scurrying into a corner for weeks. And I've had some awful letters from agents in my time. they can be evil. i'd prefer to receive a pre-printed NO than a personal nasty.
But, 7 years on, after getting a few books under my belt, I'm going to try again. Will keep you posted.

Any agents to avoid?
H

Glad to be of some help, Helen. I'm seriously thinking of taking out full membership of WriteWords, even before my month's trial has really started, just to get access to the directory section!

That letter sounds awful - the one based on total ignorance. It's surprising how nasty people can be.

Agents to avoid - that's an interesting one! I hope names will be named (while avoiding slanderous or libellous comments, of course)...

Frances

Provided that we avoid libel and record only facts, we can and do record comments, good and bad, on the performance of agents and publishers. These are in the 'useful information' sections of the Directory entries. Many entries have such comments

For all this, we rely a great deal on reports of individual experience so if you have anything you want to share with others, please let me know via WW e-mail. Gradually we are building a comprehensive picture which,thanks to the wonders of the internet,we can constantly update. So, please - let me know if you have anything to report.

Richard (WW Directory Editor)

Dear Helly,
Have you tried Sarah Molloy, at A M Heath? She was my agent for several years; she's very nice; warm and personal in her dealings. She does children's fiction and has two of her own.
I've left her for complicated reasons, so please don't mention me if you do approach her. I don't kmow if she's taking on new clients at the moment but if you prepare your submission carefully, you might catch her interest even if her books are full. Remember that agents are ALWAYS on the watch for something saleable!
Sharon

thanks so much for this.
I will definitely give her a try, and not mention you, although i will say she comes highly recommended!

So here I go again, back to the dread of the postman, the daily calculations of ... how many days / weeks / hours does it take to get there, & back... etc

Helen