Saskatoon Literary Agency

Welcome to Saskatoon Literary Agency. My specialty is novels, but I will consider short story collections as well. Please, no children's stories or picture books. I am willing to consider new authors at this time and am accepting e-queries. What could be easier than that?

My focus as an agent is on the client and on the sale. When a contract is negotiated, it is my job to help you, the writer, to market and promote your literary property. As most of you have probably learned, the publishers will usually set aside a relatively small marketing budget for new authors. Therefore, to ensure that your first (or fifth) book is a success, a large part of the marketing falls upon the agent and the writer. By aggressively marketing your first book and demonstrating the size of your audience, we can then command a larger advertising budget for subsequent works.

I do not charge a reading fee, however I do charge a two hundred dollar marketing fee to cover my expenses of long distance phone calls, shipping and photocopying. This is non-negotiable and is due upon activation of the agent/client agreement. Contrary to popular belief, agents do not work for free. Until those advances and royalties start pouring in, of which I will claim fifteen percent (twenty percent for international markets), I am forced to charge this fee. After your book sells, I work solely for the aforementioned commission.

Finally, don't get discouraged! If you've written a compelling book with vivid characters you will eventually find a publisher. DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Please note:

• Saskatoon Literary Agency will not submit works to subsidy publishers or represent those who pay to have their work published

• Saskatoon Literary Agency does not work with "book doctors" or recommend any one editor in particular, but the value of some of these organizations cannot be stressed strongly enough. It is through professional editing that your work brings in professional advances.

• Don't query unless you're ready to drop your manuscript in the mail today. I ask to see lots of manuscripts and often receive apologies, stating the work is "undergoing a rewrite." This tells me that you're seeking validation, which is fine, but are jumping the gun a bit, which is not.

• Unfortunately, there are times when a literary agent may feel strongly about a manuscript even though the response of editors is quite different than what is hoped for. This is more a reflection of the state of the publishing industry than of the merit of the writing.

• Always be professional! Whiners need not apply.

Literary Links

FictionAddiction - the definitive writing tips page
PureFiction - links, agents, editors, advice
Writers Guild of America - a must see for serious writers
Epubs - a listing of literary representation specialists
Writers Showcase - present your writing or find a publisher
Authorlink! - submit your work to an online showcase or browse their list of agents
Writers on the Net