Latest posts from Chip MacGregor
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Must a novel be completed before an agent will look at it?
Someone wrote to ask, “Must a novel always be 100% finished before an agent will want to take a look at it? Or if you spotted great voice in an unfinished work, would you take a look and offer encouragement?”…
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Should I use first-person or third-person in my novel?
Someone asked, “In your opinion, is it better to see first-person or third-person POV novels for a first-time novelist?”
I’m not one who gets too worked up about first-or-third POV as the “answer” to great fiction. A good novelist can …
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What does an acquisition editor do?
Someone wrote to ask, “Can you explain what an acquisition editor is, and how that’s different from a regular editor?”
As the name implies, the main role of an acquisitions editor is to acquire manuscripts for the publishing house. That …
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To Enter or Not to Enter?
What is the Benefit in a Contest?
Today’s guest post is by Nancy J. Farrier, IRCA Coordinator
Published authors may wonder about the advantages of entering a contest. As a finalist or winner, there are the accolades, possible increased sales, …
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What fiction trends are coming and going?
I’m trying to catch up on the hundreds of questions people have sent in. Someone wrote to say this: “The popularity in genres seems to go in cycles, with perhaps the exception of romance, which always seems to sell …
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Should the agent tell me where he sent my manuscript?
I dug into my “blog” file this weekend, and realized I’ve got a backup of more than 300 questions people have asked. Gulp. That means I could start today, take the next year responding to them, and still not get …
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How can I become a freelance editor?
Someone wrote this: “My friend wants to be a freelance editor. What advice would you have for her?”
Right now it’s a tough time to be a freelancer in book publishing. The publishing economy has been down, it’s hit publishers …
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How can I find my writing voice?
I’ve had several questions recently on finding one’s voice… so I turned to good buddy Les Edgerton, author of the brilliant ebook Finding Your Voice…
Writers’ Isolation
I’ll wager that most of you reading this do something else to earn… -
How can I connect with literary agents?
Someone wrote me to say, “I’ve got my manuscript done, I’ve run it by a professional editor, and I’m feeling ready to talk with literary agents. Can you suggest ways I connect with some good agents?”
Sure I can.
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What does an agent need to know?
So after reading over my previous posts on agent/author relationships, i created the list below, and suggested authors think about what they might want in an agent. For example, while working in my doctoral program back in the 80’s at …
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What's going on in the world of publishing?
I normally just offer advice about publishing careers on this blog, but occasionally I feel a need to mention things happening that everyone in the industry is talking about. So let’s digress today on a couple quick items…
1. The …
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Jerry Jenkins, self-publishing, and the end of civilization as we know it
I’ve had more than a dozen people write to ask me about the new self-publishing service Jerry Jenkins has set up through his company, CWG. I’ve looked into it, read the stories, studied the comments, and four thoughts have come …
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What should a good author/agent relationship look like?
…Someone wrote to ask, “Can you tell me what a good author/agent relationship should look like?”
I can try. Keep in mind that there’s no “perfect agent style” that suits everyone. One writer needs an agent who is a strong
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Why do you think a critique group is important?
Someone sent this: “You often encourage writers at conferences to join a critique group. But I joined one at a conference last year, and I didn’t think it helped much at all. I’m published, nobody else in the group is, …
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What do you expect of your clients? What do you do for your clients?
Someone asked, “As an agent, what do you expect of your clients? What do you do for your clients?”
1. I expect the authors I represent to write well, be creative, work hard at the craft, meet their deadlines, get …
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Do you enjoy being an agent the most at this point?
Someone sent in this: “You’ve been involved in just about every aspect when it comes to the publishing world. Do you enjoy being an agent the most at this point?”
I love agenting. Right now I can’t imagine ever leaving …
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A Guest Post: What I’d Change About My Writing Journey
Today’s guest post is by author Gina Conroy.You hear it all the time when people are trying to make sense of their trials in life…
“The struggles only made me stronger. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Maybe …
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What are the best steps to take when marketing my book?
Someone wrote and said this: “I have a nonfiction book releasing soon. When it comes to marketing my book, what is the wisest step I can take? Should I invest in a bunch of marketing books? Take a class in …
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How much money does a publisher invest in marketing my book?
Someone wrote to ask, “In your experience, how much money does a publisher invest in marketing a book? How much should an author spend?”
Whenever a large publisher decides to contract a book, they create a P&L (profit and loss) …
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As an author, how can I build a better platform?
This past weekend, someone wrote to say, “You have often talked about ‘platform’ on this blog. How do you define a platform? And what do you suggest I do in order to build a platform for myself as an author?”…
