On Monday night, I attended my first event for writers. Literary agent Madeline Buston from the Darley Anderson Agency gave advice on how to secure an agent at a talk set up by the London Writers’ Cafe. It was exciting to be in a room with writers and to meet an agent for the first time. Not only was Madeline human (yes, sometimes we wonder when we get all those rejections!) but she seemed friendly, down-to-earth and genuinely excited about discovering new talent. She was already on my dream agent list and the talk cemented that!
Madeline and her agency focus on commercial fiction and they find exclusive submissions very powerful. UK and US agents do things very differently so check submission guidelines very carefully! UK agents prefer to focus on your writing sample – the first three chapters whereas US agents like the query letter. Madeline read out a few examples of cover letters – they were short and to the point and she said she liked conversational tone. However, other agents like things more formal so this underlines again that one size does not fit all agents.
Madeline like most agents places great importance on the first chapter. This needs to be really strong and make an agent want to read on. She and her agency have dealt with a lot of bestselling authors (Martina Cole and Lee Child among them) so she said they have really thought about what makes a bestseller and they believe it’s all about character. So make yours leap off the page!
At the end of the talk, I plucked up the courage to speak to Madeline personally. I asked if she remembered my submission as her rejection email had mentioned how much she loved the title. She did remember it and again enthused about the title. She said she thought that it had potential and when I explained I was currently revising it quite extensively, she encouraged me to re-submit it to her. Regardless of whether she was just being kind or is really interested, it has spurred me on to polish up my novel and go for it again. I’d love to work with Madeleine and I will definitely send it to her.
Overall, it was definitely worth attending. I got a great insight into the life of an agent and the publishing process and what this particular agent it really looking for. I think it’s also helped my confidence – I sat in a room of writers, and I was one of them! And I talked to a real life agent. Next step – getting one to represent me 
Have you ever attended a literary event?
Victoria
xoxo
Novel Girl
/ February 8, 2012Thank you for posting this. Seriously I was waiting for this since you teased me. Congrats, girl!
I was surprised to hear that she asked you to re-submit. Even better that she remembered you. I’m sending writerly encouragement your way
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Haha thanks Rebecca! I was surprised too, we’ll see what happens
I really appreciate the encouragement, sending it right back to you too!
Theresa Milstein
/ February 8, 2012Sounds like a great experience. I attend a local conference every year and have been to a few other workshops and get togethers. Once, I attended a conference in New York, but it felt too big.
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Yeah I can imagine how big that would be. I liked the fact this event was small so it wasn’t intimidating and it felt friendly and accessible. I didn’t feel out of place, which I was scared I would!
Michelle DennisEvans (@MichelleDEvans)
/ February 8, 2012How fabulous! I have never attended an event with agents
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Thanks Michelle! It was really interesting to see what things are like from their point of view!
Deborah the Closet Monster
/ February 8, 2012Bravo for having the conversation!
I have been to a literary event! I went to a YA writers/readers gathering last summer. All was well and good until they read my name as an author, at which point I wanted to disappear into the floor. I wouldn’t have stood up if my dear friend (also a several-time beta reader of TMD) hadn’t shoved me to a stand.
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Thanks Deb! Woo get you miss author
Bonnie
/ February 8, 2012How cool is this!! I shared your excitement while reading this post. Fingers crossed for you, as always!
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Thanks Bonnie, I really appreciate it!
nrhatch
/ February 8, 2012Yay! I’m glad that she encouraged you to resubmit! Woo hoo!
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Thanks Nancy! Woo hoo
E. Arroyo
/ February 8, 2012Thanks for sharing. And you are brave…for all of us. =)
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Thanks Elizabeth! I think I need to be fearless with this but it’s not easy
bornstoryteller
/ February 8, 2012Good to hear things from different perspectives. Yes, here, it’s all about crafting that great query letter first. Good luck with the re-write: hope she takes you on this time around.
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Thank you!
suzicate
/ February 8, 2012Don’t give up…you’ll get there. Keep in mind how many rejections “The Help” got and look where it’s at now!
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012That does keep me going, thanks!
leashieloo
/ February 8, 2012I’ve never attended a literary event but it sounds like it was invaluable. That’s great advice about the character and first chapter, thank you for sharing!
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012It was really worth going, I’d recommend it. I hope it helps!
Lisa Wields Words
/ February 8, 2012This is so awesome, Vicky! How wonderful that she encouraged you to re-submit. Make sure you do it. I would even send her a lthank you note for talking with you at the event. It will keep your name in her mind.
Good luck. I feel good things coming your way.
Lisa
Victoria-writes
/ February 8, 2012Thanks Lisa. I will, great advice! I hope so for you too
Rach @ This Italian Family
/ February 8, 2012How cool that she remembered your piece!
Victoria-writes
/ February 9, 2012I know, I hope she lieks the rewrite! “finger’s crossed”
kford2007
/ February 9, 2012There must be something there if she asked you to resubmit. It has been my experience that agents/publishers don’t do that if they aren’t interested. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Victoria-writes
/ February 9, 2012Thanks Jenny, I hope so
lovelylici1986
/ February 9, 2012Very cool, Vix!
Congrats on attending your first event, AND taking (what REALLY IS) a big step and going for a one-on-one conversation with the agent. Good on you!
Good luck with your editing and polishing.
Victoria-writes
/ February 10, 2012Thanks hun!
Elin @andserenitytoo
/ February 9, 2012Wow exciting! How great to be around other writers and get feedback from a literary agent (good for you just to go up to her!)
Good luck with the revision process!
Victoria-writes
/ February 10, 2012Thanks Elin!
D...
/ February 10, 2012That is so great, that experience alone seemed to broaden your understanding of the process (seeing it from the agents point of view) and probably gave you a bit more confidence (giving you an idea of what direction to go in). I think the best thing to do, and this is really the best thing in any working venture, is to present yourself naturally. Meaning write letters in a way that you speak normally. This way you don’t have to keep up a pretense and you also can find the agent that works well with you. Well that’s my opinion at least. When it’s time the right agent will appear in the best possible way. That’s how life happens, without us really planning for it, we just have to be prepared. Prepare for great things my friend, as they are most certainly coming your way.
Victoria-writes
/ February 10, 2012It really did help and boost my confidence you’re right. Thansk for all your support and encouragement!
limebirdbeth
/ February 10, 2012I have never been to a literary event, I would love to go to one though. I have no idea where they are/ when etc. Maybe I should actually pull my finger out and do some research.
Good luck with the novel, it’s great news that she remembered you! What was the title?
)
Victoria-writes
/ February 10, 2012I would recommend it but choose one that’s relevant for what you’re looking for! Thanks, I really appreciate that. It’s called Pigeon Steps
limebirdbeth
/ February 10, 2012Yeah I definitely will, maybe we will make it a Limebird event.
Ohh, that is good. Now I want to know what it’s about!
Victoria-writes
/ February 10, 2012I will come to that
Aw thanks, hopefully you’ll be able to read it one day!