Submitting to agents vs. directly to publishers - Writers Forum

CZ · 02-27-2007, 09:31 AM

Hi all -

I was wondering if a few folks here might point me in the right direction. I wrote a children's story (for beginning readers, age 6-9 or so), and I'm torn between sending it to an agent or sending it directly to a children's publisher.

I've just got my first rejection on it from an agent and it got me thinking - do agents spend time on 6-9 children's fiction? Am I wasting my time by sending it to agencies? I'm not under the impression that children's 6-9 fiction makes a ton of money, which is why I'm thinking of changing tack.

I realize this is a rather specific topic which nobody may be able to answer - in the meantime I'll just keep writing other things and figuring out who to send things to in order to keep piling up that rejection file

aspiring · 03-01-2007, 11:36 AM

I notice you're in London, so I can answer your question as it's quite UK-specific

Yes, you should definitely send direct to publishers. Agents don't take an awful lot of notice of first-time authors with picture books or early readers. They're more likely to sign you up on the strength of a 9-12 or a teenage novel. I published my picture book on the strength of a direct submission to a publisher (they picked it up off their slush pile).

Do you have a copy of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook? You can find it on Amazon, it's published every year and should be your bible of submission.

And you're right, the 6-9 age group doesn't make much money on the whole - advances are pretty low.

This http://www.write4kids.com/info.html is an American site but it's got some useful tips on it. Come over too to the children's board here:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php

Do PM me if you'd like more advice - it's not often I see UK-based children's writers here so feel free to pick my brains!

aspiring · 03-01-2007, 11:36 AM

I notice you're in London, so I can answer your question as it's quite UK-specific

Yes, you should definitely send direct to publishers. Agents don't take an awful lot of notice of first-time authors with picture books or early readers. They're more likely to sign you up on the strength of a 9-12 or a teenage novel. I published my picture book on the strength of a direct submission to a publisher (they picked it up off their slush pile).

Do you have a copy of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook? You can find it on Amazon, it's published every year and should be your bible of submission.

And you're right, the 6-9 age group doesn't make much money on the whole - advances are pretty low.

This http://www.write4kids.com/info.html is an American site but it's got some useful tips on it. Come over too to the children's board here:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php

Do PM me if you'd like more advice - it's not often I see UK-based children's writers here so feel free to pick my brains!

CZ · 03-04-2007, 01:19 PM

Wow. Many thanks, Aspiring! I do have a copy of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (and the children's one as well, which is what I used to find the first agent). I'm working on a YA novel right now - it keeps me busy.

Thanks again - seriously. I'll work on that cover letter tomorrow and send it off to a publisher this week.

mammamaia · 03-05-2007, 01:45 AM

...ditto that!...

I've just got my first rejection on it from an agent and it got me thinking - do agents spend time on 6-9 children's fiction?

...no...

Am I wasting my time by sending it to agencies?

...yes...

I'm not under the impression that children's 6-9 fiction makes a ton of money,

...you're right, it doesn't...

which is why I'm thinking of changing tack.

...not a bad idea, if making big bucks is your goal...

CZ · 03-05-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

...ditto that!...

...not a bad idea, if making big bucks is your goal...

Suffice it to say that I think I'll be keeping my day job for a few more years

I was thinking more from an agent's point of view when I mentioned the money aspect.

mammamaia · 03-05-2007, 08:02 PM

I was thinking more from an agent's point of view when I mentioned the money aspect.

...sorry to say, it's true from the writer's, as well...

CZ · 03-06-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

...sorry to say, it's true from the writer's, as well...

...and as long as I earn enough to keep myself able to buy chocolate, I'll be happy

Anyhow, it's off to a publisher and I'm going to try and not think about it for 2-6 months