It is a thing universally acknowledged that a talented writer in possession of an excellent manuscript must be in want of an agent. But not for long.
I’m SO excited to spread the news that our own Erin Cashman, my beloved Erin, has a new agent for her brilliant high fantasy King Arthur retelling. She has signed with Caitie Flum at Liza Dawson after receiving several offers.
Erin is one of the best, hardest working, and most humble authors I have ever met. She has proved to me, once again, that if you have a solid manuscript, it will be picked up by an agent without any gimmicks or special access. Erin queried, she got tons of requests, and she got multiple offers.
This is truly how it happens, so if it isn’t happening for you–yet–don’t despair. Writing is a process. We have to learn our craft, and that takes time. It requires persistence, and a willingness to follow the rules, and an ability to learn when and how and why to break rules. It means writing with our hearts pouring out onto the page and believing in our books while being willing and able to see our work with a critical eye. It means listening as hard as we can to advice that will help to make it better, and it means seeking out learning opportunities.
Most of all, it means continuing to live our lives out loud and believing that we have more than one manuscript in us–because no one book is ever the end.
Laini Taylor had an incredible article of Five Writing Tips in Publisher’s Weekly yesterday. Read them all, but take this especially to heart:
“Be an unstoppable force. Write with an imaginary machete strapped to your thigh. This is not wishy-washy, polite, drinking-tea-with-your-pinkie-sticking-out stuff. It’s who you want to be, your most powerful self. Write your books. Finish them, then make them better. Find the way. No one will make this dream come true for you but you.”
So. Be inspired. Be motivated. Cheer for Erin, and cheer for yourself if you are writing–whatever you are writing.
Have a great week!
