Podcast #37 is now available for download here.
Lori Perkins was a guest lecturer at Odyssey 2003, where she worked with students, critiqued manuscripts, and lectured on what agents do and how they do it. In this podcast, Lori explains why the importance of agents has increased and how agents currently fit into the publishing industry. Agents now do the job editors used to do. Most publishers no longer read the slush pile, so agents are left to do that, discover the promising new writers, and help them get their manuscripts into shape. Editors have little time to work with developing writers on manuscripts these days, since they spend most of their work day attending meetings and acquire 20-75 books a year. Editors wants agents to provide manuscripts in publishable shape and are willing to pay more money for them. Lori describes the different types of agents, the traits to look for in an agent, and the best way to get an agent. She gives advice on query letters and on where to find good information on agents. She also explains how not to approach an agent.
The L. Perkins Agency is a New York-based literary agency with 4 staff agents and agents in 11 foreign countries, as well as Hollywood affiliates.
The agency represents approximately 150 clients in such diverse areas as romance, erotica, science fiction, fantasy, horror, mysteries and thrillers, as well as popular culture nonfiction.
Since its inception in 1999, the agency has had 8 books on the New York Times Best-Seller List.
Lori Perkins can be reached at lori@lperkinsagency.com
Lori Perkins writes a blog about agenting at agentinthemiddle.blogspot.com.
For more information about Odyssey, its graduates and instructors, please visit our website at http://www.odysseyworkshop.org.
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