I'm in the process of sending out my children's novel to agents and have sent out a few query letters so far. However... I've been looking at the Chicken House website and am very taken with the company. They have a good approach and some really interesting writers. Should I approach them with my book now or wait until my list of agents is exhausted? Any thoughts appreciated!
And a Happy New Year to you all!!!
Sue

Dear Sue

My advice is just do it! Send to as many different people as you can, agents and publishers alike. Not forgetting to make a start on your next project as you do so. If a publisher, such as Chicken House or any other publisher, comes back and takes you on, you're in an even better position to find an agent.

Good luck!

Anne B

Yes, Sue, I agree with Anne. If you're interested in them, go for it. I take it they're a publishing house? It doesn't matter if they are, if they take your work, then yes, as Anne says, an agent is very likely to take you on. Think of them all as one great blob and poke your pointed stick into it.
Best of Luck,
Becca.

Thanks Anne and Becca. I shall get my proposal out straight away! Yes - they're a publishing house. Their website is fun - www.doublecluck.com and they have masses of experience in the field by the looks of things - the MD, Barry Cunningham, signed JK Rowling to Bloomsbury.
Sue

Ordinarily I'd say go for an agent but I've had a look at this website and they seem like a very specialised group - which is what you want in this genre.

So give them a go... but bear in mind you'll be on your own when it comes to negotiating minefields like advances and contracts.

HNY
Dee.

I think I will give them a try. Thanks for your advice!
Sue

Sue,

Good luck with Chicken House. They are a highly-respected publisher, and not too big, so you’d probably get more personal attention there than at a massive company. I agree that you should probably try publishers and agents at the same time – then you have something to go back to an agent about if a publisher bites. The only thing to bear in mind is that if an agent wants to take you on, you will have pre-empted some of their work, and perhaps your chances, in already approaching some publishers, e.g. if your book is already at Chicken House, the agent is likely to wait until they reply, rather than follow up your approach.

One thing you could do is look at some other Chicken House titles, which you could then mention in your covering letter to the editor. ‘Song Quest’ by Katherine Roberts, might be worth a look at. She writes fantasy but it’s different to yours. If you like her book, you could say that’s why you’re approaching Chicken House. This shows you’ve done your homework and adds a personal touch.

Good luck.


Terry

Hi Terry,

Happy New Year!

Thanks for your advice. I will certainly go with your suggestion in my letter. In fact, I had a Chicken House book for Christmas (Inkheart). Since I started writing for children, I stopped reading adult novels it seems!

I'll let you know how I get on.

Best wishes,
Sue

I'm off now to keep to my resolutions of drinking as much alcohol and eating as many chocolates as I want!