agents Archives | A.S. Akkalon

Weird things happen when you read 300 Query Shark queries

In preparation for querying agents, I started to read all 347 Query Shark entries. As I read, weird things began to occur. I blame the Great Cat.

I see querying in my future. Yes, I’ve decided I’m going to have a go at getting an agent for my nearly-complete WIP. (Sign up for my monthly updates to get the inside story once I start.)

As I finish editing, I’m starting the next stage: writing my query. I drafted my first query for this book years ago. Actually, fifteen versions thereof. (Don’t worry, I never sent them anywhere.)

This time I’m doing it right. I’m following instructions.

I’m reading all 347 entries of Query Shark.

A very serious blog post on traditional publishing

Kristine Kathryn Rusch argues knowledgeably and convincingly that authors should self-publish. I still don’t plan to. Here’s why.

I promised you a very serious blog post, and here it is.

I’m a long-time fan of Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s (though for some reason I can never remember her name).

She’s a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, but I admit I’ve never tried her fiction.

I’m a fan of her blog.

She writes about the publishing industry, but not regurgitated primers on how to get published or the latest gossip. She writes well-researched, detailed posts about the nitty gritty things you need to know if you want to make a living as a writer, such as licensing rights, contract clauses, and why you should avoid agents and traditional publishers like the coronavirus.