I think a personal website's a good idea. It's not pushing that stuff in the editor's face if they're not interested, but it's there if they are.

A lot of successful people seem to forget that, and I guess that's what breeds arrogance/shite bahaviour.

One of the odder experiences of the being-published process is that while you're working on the book you get friendly but honest input from your agent and editor. But once the editing's done and they're into publicity mode, no one says anything bad about the book at all - it's all lovely darling. It's partly sheer kindness to the terrified/baffled author but it's also about creating an atmosphere of this-is-the-greatest-book-ever. And most people who come up to you at signings etc. loved the book or they wouldn't be there. It would be really, really easy - given how neurotic and insecure writers are - to start believing that yours really is the most wonderful book in the world. The more fragile your ego, the more greedily (desperately?) you believe the positives, the more you lash out at the negatives (reviewer, frank agent, honest editor of next book, bookseller with too many of yours still on her/his shelves...).

Emma

Hmmm. I have never in my life had my arse licked, not even for one second, and I would feel hugely uncomfortable if it all started now. For the last few years, I have done hideously bad jobs that don't usualy generate any kind of respect (cleaning mansions, for example; looking after the children of rich people while rich people had lunch or went shopping). Usually, if friends of the rich people came over and the kids were sleeping, I was banished to another room. Now and then, someone who saw themselves as kind to the poor would condescend to ask me a few sociable questions, and if I said I was writing a novel and had been taken on by an agent, I suddenly became worthwhile, or, for some reason, they got kind of angry. ('How dare a servant be literate? This goes against God's will.'

Anyway, I like to think it would take an awful lot of that 'Your book's so wondeful' crap for me to fall for it. But then again, I wouldn't mind being told it's alright, or at least, that someone has enjoyed it. I hope I do never begin to believe mine is the best book in the world. I never believed in Santa, despite being told ALL the time that he was real - it simply seemed impossible. But I do know how desperately we all cling to hope that the thing we've spent years creating is what we wanted it to be - ie utterly brilliant. But I generally do find compliments about my work hard to take, which then makes me look like a dickhead cos I say, 'Oh, don't be so silly. It's a load of crap.' And then they all think that's
false modesty and that I'm an arogant arsehole.

And once again, I'm leaping ahead of myself. I haven't even got a deal.

Sarah

Sorry. Much rambling above.

I sent a sub today that actually asked for a brief bio paragraph in the letter - usually I try to avoid like the plague - so did put in the dull stuff - like age - where I live etc (actually, thinking about it, they get that from the address? Oh dear.)

Tried to get creative and say how the local landscape is used in the novel - all a bit cringeworthy really - but who knows?

It helped that I am not really expecting much?

Having got turned down by just about everyone already I am loosening up a little in these letters now - going for 'deceptively casual, friendly but professional' - lol. Well, I can dream...

sarah

I think that saying how local landscape is used sounds cool, unless, of course, you live in shit, trying to become a writer, which is what I do.

You're right - I think they might get info on where you live from the address, but who knows whether they read that??

Tried to get creative and say how the local landscape is used in the novel

Don't knock it; it worked for Stephen Booth

How about this bio:

Dear Agent

As an undiscovered genuius, capable of forming entire continents with the magic of my pen, I have personally selected you, after much debate with several leading executives, to represent my novel.

Now, I understand that your career has been fairly hit-and-miss. There was that terrible novel you promoted a year ago, that ended up in the bargain bin of Woolworths a week after its release, but as a forgiving being of semi-messianic proportions, I am willing to overlook this, and allow you to proceed with representation.

I am young, gorgeous, and don't really need the money, but I thought it was only fair to share my extreme intelligence with the rest of the world. I await your immediate acceptance, and will send you my schedule forthwith.

You may now kiss my hand.

Yours

An Unrepentant Author


<Added>

Lol! Except I can't even spell genius, of course!!!

I'd buy it.

Love the bio - but a tad self deprecating? Lose those adjectives! Like 'semi'

Ah yes, local landscape - I meant the pretty bits outside that don't need cleaning or digging by me - at least five miles away. Though if they ever make 'Withnail's children' and need interiors I should be quids in.

Might have to tidy up .

sarah

I just wanted to say thanks for all the excellent advice on this thread.