6). Keep moving. Network. Find places in which you can make contact with publishers and editors. This is one benefit of belonging to a writers group.

7). Think small. Don't be afraid to consider alternatives to a large publishing house. Many of the "small presses" will actively read (and publish) un-agented writers.

8). Keep reading. Read resources such as Publishers Weekly, Literary Market Place, New York Times Book Review, Time, Newsweek, Writers Digest or the book review in your local newspaper.

In the 1999 Writer's Market Guide, an article on Literary Agents stated that "no, it is not easier to find an agent than an editor." This is so very true, so I believe these eight steps will help in our search for either or both.

After listing these eight steps, Mr. Levin added a ninth step, one which we all know: KEEP WRITING!

The sections of the book regarding query letters and winning proposals were pretty average things we've already heard and hopefully learned. However, Mr. Levin continued with giving us examples of a poor, fair, and good deal when it comes to negotiating contracts. This is something every author should be aware of!

Mr. Levin suggests that we not be afraid to argue for a better deal and that our goal should be for better than the Poor deal on first book, Fair deal on second book and Good deals on all future books.

I have barely covered the basics in this article, but the book is a wealth of information. Mr. Levin covers a variety of contract words and their meanings in lay terms and goes on to list some vocabulary of publishers as well as the publishers themselves.

Many authors don't have the time nor the energy to handle the legwork an agent handles and, therefore, feel their work would be better represented through a literary agent. But, as mentioned, it is not necessarily easier to get an agent to look at your work than a publisher. However, reading this book or others like it will better equip you should you be one of the few, the proud, and the lucky to get published without the guidance of one.

Learn more about this author, Pamela S Thibodeaux.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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