Editors/Agents looking for historical fiction

[michellemoran]

I've never been really certain how many people on this forum write historical fiction with the intent to publish someday. But just in case there are writers on here close to submitting:


Heather Proulx at Crown is actively looking for wonderful historical fiction (she recently became my editor and just purchased three books from debut authors!)

Dan Lazar, an amazing go-getting agent (not mine) is also one to consider when looking to place your historical fiction. He's with Writers House.


I never thought to post this information before, but if there are writers on this forum for whom this is useful, I'll continue to update once in a while if I come across agents/editors actively seeking his fic.

Good luck!

[Divia]

I'm interested. But here's a question. My first draft is done and nowhere near finished. I still need to rewrite it and have someone edit it. How far in the process should you be before you look for agents?

[michellemoran]

Hi Divia,

Have it absolutely polished, and be careful who you have edit the book. Agents will only look at a manuscript once (unless they request revisions, which is rare), so if they say no, it's a no until you write your next book. Wait until you feel the book simply can't get any better.

Two blogs I absolutely can't recommend highly enough is Nathan Bransford's (http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/) and Book Ends (http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/index.html). When you're ready to write your agent query letter, I would look at every one of their posts on querying. Miss Snark was also an invaluable resource for new writers. Although I didn't find her until after I was published, I still read her blog daily until she quit. Her posts are still up there, however, and have a wealth of info about querying.

[Divia]

Rockin.

Thanks so much for the information :) guess I better get moving!

[Margaret]

Thanks for all this good advice, Michelle! I especially appreciated the Bransford post about impatience, one of my besetting sins.

[michellemoran]

Ha-ha! Yes. My first historical fiction novel (not Nefertiti) never saw publication because of my own impatience. An editor wanted me to revise, and I did such a rushed - from breathless excitement - job of it, that she ultimately passed. Hard lesson. But a good one.

[Mara]

Thanks alot for posting, Michelle. Very good to know.

[Alaric]

Thanks for the advice, Michelle. Hopefully I get to use it some day!

I've got two different novels - both set in the Napoleonic wars - in planning, another idea on the shelf. It'll probably be awhile until I ever get to write them though, as I'm writing my thesis next year and (hopefully) my doctorate after that. Maybe one day. :)

[donroc]

Thank you, Michele.

[michellemoran]

Oh, I love anything set in the Napoleonic wars! Hurry up and get that thesis done ;)

[Margaret]

But don't get too impatient and rush it. ;)

[michellemoran]

Ha-ha! That's right!

[Barbara Passaris]

HI, Michelle,

MIine is a different story. I'm going to get it really shortened for you. I have a book out that was published by a small professional press. I captured their attention and they "bought" my book. It was my debut novel, set on the cusp of the American Revolution, and did pretty well for a small press book.

I do not have an agent, but would to have one for my future work. Here's my first question:

Will the fact that I have one publishing credit help me win the attention of an agent? I'd like to grow in my writing career.

Second: What's "hot" in historical fiction, and what's not? I've got a few projects in the works. One project is a crossover into mainstream with HF elements, set in two time periods--and is showing great promise. One piece is set in Rome.
The other is the sequel to my first book.

I'd love to have your thoughts. I'm picking your brain!

Barb Passaris

[michellemoran]

Hi Barbara!

I do think that your publishing credit will help in your agent search. Waaay back in my early college days, I had a manuscript accepted for publication at a small press in Canada. Then I wrote another manuscript and went searching for an agent. In my query letter, I explained that I had a work placed with a small press, and I think it helped in my securing an agent. I did eventually pull the manuscript from the small press (and never published it). I thought it would be bad for my career to publish something so early when my voice wasn't quite ready (a good move, it turns out). But the acceptance alone helped in my agent search, and I have to assume that, given a strong second manuscript, it will help in yours.

As for your second question, I can't really speak to what's hot in HF since I'm not an editor or agent, but I can say that my editor enjoys HF from the POV of real historical characters whose names/deeds have since become famous.

[Barbara Passaris]

Thanks for the input, MIchelle.

I have a few very good reviews under my belt. I also have one very nasty blogger out there who seems to be loving to trash my book. It seems to be very personal. All my writing friends (but one) seem to think that it's been written by someone who knows me. My husband has even come up with a couple of names who could have written it...No big deal, I tell myself, because even really well-known writers get trashed by one person, lauded by another. When you're out there, it's part of the "game." ANd not everyone is going to love your work.

I wrote Diana Gabaldon about this, and in her typically humourous way, she told me that "reviews are best read after a stiff drink." I laughed, and felt much better. Shes' very nice, and got back to me right away. I have to tell you, the above was my first bad press. And to be honest, it still hurts. I have looked at what the person said, and some of it bore some merit. Most of it was just nasty and personal...never mind about it, though. I'm just rambling. I also got some sage advice from EC2, one of my favorite writing bloggers on this site. I am still grateful for her kindness, as well.

I also know that I'm a much better writer now. I've got one agent who's interested in taking a look at my Renaissance Venice/Modern day Boston piece, though as we know, that is no guarantee. And I've got an introduction/referall for a really good California agent for this piece.

You see, I am very serious about my writing career. I've had to take a small hiatus from it in order to get settled in another state, start up a new teaching job--with all that entails--but I'm back at it, now.

Actually, I have been a real regular on the old HF...This new site, which I like so much better, started up when my husband and I had just moved back to Virginia...

Anyway...I've a lot to do with the writing thing, and am planning to join a society for writers in Virginia, keep up other memberships, renew my RWA membership, etc.

I do think that as writers we need agents. I've tried to do all of the promotion myself, and it's really hard. When you work outside of the home, it's really hard to do all that AND write. I know that all writers do some self-promoting. But having an agent gives a writer the necessary advantage, because typically, larger publishers have resources that small houses do not, and agents have connections that most of us do not have.

Anyway, thanks for your time, and thank you for the advice. I appreciate that you got back to me so quickly.

Barb

[michellemoran]

Barbara,

Congratulations on your good reviews, and don't worry at all about the bad one/s. Publishing houses are only concerned about trade reviews. Sure, a publicist might take a peek at what bloggers are saying, but only after a book is published and only so s/he can present the good ones to the regular board meetings.

Truly, it's often best to ignore negative reviews. Some negative reviews I've learned from, but others have criticized certain aspects of my novels by saying they weren't factual when in reality those particular aspects were entirely correct. My suggestion is to completely gloss over the nasty/personal ones, and if the urge strikes to respond to them, beat that urge down! I wrote a little bit about how an author should respond to negative reviews here (http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2008/10/guest-blogger-michelle-moran-on-how-to_22.html).

[Barbara Passaris]

Great advice on that site, Michelle. I've bookmarked it!

You know, I haven't responded AT ALL to her. Frankly, it's not worth my time. THe funny thing about it is that, as you said, she complained about the "high" language. I will tell you that I read and re-read the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin and came up with a cross between the two. In addition, I took a long look at Jane Austen. My family are wealthy Virginia Plantation People. I wanted the book to have an old feel to it, but for a contemporary audience. I, too, am a stickler for historical accuracy...did so much research for that novel. I have historical references worked into the events and dialogue throughout the book. But never mind all that because I don't want to sound defensive. Really, I'm not--at least not anymore. But I sure was at first. I think that it just hurt. I find it fascinating that people can find the time to just be mean. If someone is dissatisfied with a book, that person can surely return it. Most publishers have a satisfaction guaranteed policy. Why someone feels that they have to try and hurt a person's career is beyond me. Oh, well....different strokes for different folks, as the old song goes.

At this writing, I'm concentrating on feeling good about my work, about capturing a publisher's attention and getting my writing done--with my name out there, too.

But I AM driven with regard to getting some representation. Having your foot in the door is very helpful. I'm beginning to see that there's so much out there that it's almost a necessity to have someone help you "break in." I want a good agent who will work hard for me--someone who really believes in my work.

Again, Michelle, I thank you for your professional candor and for taking the time to reply!

~Barb Passaris

[Ariadne]

GalleyCat reports that agent Liza Dawson's looking for certain types of historical fiction and narrative history... details here (http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/agents/avantguild_liza_dawson_wants_your_gorgeous_histori cal_thriller_98695.asp).

[diamondlil]

Snowbooks are calling for submissions (http://www.snowbooks.com/weblog/2008/12/call_for_submissions.html)for their list in 2010.

[Richard]

[QUOTE=michellemoran;5255]
Dan Lazar, an amazing go-getting agent (not mine) is also one to consider when looking to place your historical fiction. He's with Writers House.
QUOTE]

Dan Lazar is a class act and responded to my query very quickly... unfavorably, but quickly.