| I am a published writer, and I thought I should be | | | | I was so disappointed that I even complained to |
| able to submit another manuscript to a publisher | | | | someone I least wanted to: My rather indifferent |
| directly. But all I received was rejection slips with | | | | sister. To my surprise, she gave me the phone |
| a note telling me that the publisher did not accept | | | | number of a literary agent whom she had run into |
| unsolicited manuscript without a literary agent. | | | | once or twice. I called this literary agent and |
| After more than 10 such rejection slips, I realized | | | | talked for over an hour. I found her congenial and |
| that I should look for a literary agent. | | | | she found the few chapters I sent her promising. |
| I went to the libraries and read directories about | | | | That was the beginning of a working relationship. |
| literary agents, and I noted down a long list of | | | | During the process of revising my manuscript in |
| names. I wrote each of them a query letter, a | | | | cooperation with her, I gradually learned why |
| book proposal, sample chapters, as requested. All | | | | most publishers only agreed to read an unsolicited |
| I got back was rejection slips with the same | | | | manuscript through an agent. Since 1980s, many |
| explanation: They only accepted new clients | | | | publishing houses were bought over by large |
| through recommendation. | | | | conglomerates, they shifted the editorial work |
| Undaunted I decided to explore other channels, | | | | onto literary agents, and so when a manuscript |
| and went back to libraries and did more | | | | reached the desk of their in-house editor, it did |
| homework. The advice was that I should | | | | not need much more editing. |
| participate in writers' conferences where I would | | | | I want to share my experience with other |
| meet fellow writers, editors, agents and other | | | | writers, in particular, aspiring writers, because I |
| people who knew the publishing field. I followed | | | | want to emphasize the importance of networking. |
| the advice and I took part in several writers' | | | | Writing a good manuscript is not enough. It could |
| conferences. One day I got lucky. I showed the | | | | be buried under dust if you don't have a literary |
| first chapter to an editor from a well-known | | | | agent to help you get it through to a publisher. So |
| publishing house. She was immediately interested | | | | it is of utmost importance to do your homework |
| and asked me if I had a literary agent. I said no. | | | | in libraries, go to the places where writers, agents, |
| She gave me the name of an agent who could | | | | and editors gather, talk about your writing |
| help me. I called the agent as soon as I returned | | | | projects to anyone who is willing to listen. Help |
| home. The agent told me that she was in the | | | | sometimes comes from someone you least |
| middle of a divorce procedure, and had no time to | | | | expect. |
| take on more work. | | | | |