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Finding a Publisher or Agent for your book – Some challenges in the UK if you are a new writer.

1. The vast majority of publishers are not interested unless you have an agent.

2. The vast majority of agents are not interested unless you have already been published.

3. Most publishers and agents do not accept unsolicited work.

4. There are people out there who will fleece you – telling you that you are the best writer since Moses wrote down the 10 commandments he received from Mr God – They just want your money – BEWARE.

5. Many agents who may consider your work want copious amounts of hard copy posted to them, which can be very expensive. They don’t appear to be eco friendly, or fear getting too much stuff sent to their mail boxes.

6. Many agents have depressing lists of criteria which any prospective new author must follow in order to submit work to be considered by them.  Some of these agents list instructions to follow, which would send most people to sleep – designed one may think to put you off sending them any stuff in the first place.

7. Many agents are based in and around London. Few are based in remote hillbilly type places like Scotland.

8. Some agents and publishers run competitions, looking for new authors. BEWARE – They may be simply compiling an anthology of material sent to them.

9. Many agents never even respond to emails sent to them asking for simple information. Very discourteous and disrespectful.

10. Many agents look for a referral from someone else. Mmmmm?

    AND

if these challenges aren’t enough, new writers are competing with the plethora of material from all sorts of well known and lesser known (if at all) celebrities, chefs, sportsmen and women, politicians, and memoirs from WAGS and other attention seekers. The saddest thing is that many people want to read the stuff that z listed celebrities get written for them.....perhaps a reflection of UK culture today....................BUT here’s a thought.......DON’T GIVE UP!!!

I was lucky with my first book. I found a trustworthy small publisher who liked my work.