Writing a romantic novel

I have to agree with Jane. Successful agents are usually inundated - it was over 3 months before mine - the 6th I tried, because I'd thought she was one of the best who wouldn't be interested! - finally got back to me.

An agent by the end of the month!!!?
You'll be lucky

Thank you all for your kind comments and ideas. I am going to try to get an agent by the end of the month and if I don't I will self publish. My niece has self published 10 books with Amazon.

Annarami, if you want an agent, the Wrters' and Artsts' Yearbook will tell you who may be interested in the kind of book you write.
Also, authors often include thanks to family and agents in their own books, so that may give you a clue if you've read anything similar.
BTW, I don't think a 'weird' or non-happy ending will ever do for M&B! You really do need to know your market, know what sells, and what sort of reader you are targeting.

Finding an agent has never been easy, though, and I dare say it gets tougher all the time. I approached 6 before one finally took me on (a long time ago now BTW) and I had to do a lot of rewriting before she thought my novel ready to send out. (I'm happy to admit that it better afterwards - it can take a fresh eye to see what's wrong with something you yourself have read so many times.)
And that was a novel that ultimately did very well, including several sales of foreign rights.

And it wasn't my 'first' novel, BTW - I'd had plenty of rejections before that, and most published authors I know will say the same. I'm not saying this to put you off, but just to emphasise that persistence is often very necessary.
When you read about someone's 'first' novel, with a nice fat advance, it may well be their 11th, only the others never found a publisher.

"Novel Excuses;" by Bernard Salt: The Australian
Here's an interesting article you could discuss at your next book-reading session. I must say I agree with him!
Quote; "I have never read a novel in full. Ever! I am neither proud nor ashamed of this. I am simply a grown man who prefers the company of facts rather than fiction.
This is not to say that I am not an avid reader, because I am. I'm a voracious reader of newspapers,journals, magazines and works of non-fiction.
The fact that some people don't like to read novels is rarely discussed and if it is, then it is with reeling condemnation. How can you not read novels? Are you a Neanderthal?"
And so on and so forth! but so true! Good readings!

Muffinthemoo

MawBroon drat!

Oh and if you hadn’t noticed, the “Hanky, panky, spanky” thread was deleted a couple of days ago.

annaram1 “dear” may I respectfully suggest you familiarise yourself with the “Smileys” section at the bottom of your screen.
You will see and
I wonder which one you feel appropriate to your question?

After Maw's intervention, the comment about a "blow by blow account" has wrecked me

Maw dear what on earth does that funny face mean? I just want to know where to find the bodice ripping stuff.
Please, pretty please ...

MawBroom, could you elaborate please?

Thank you BradfordLass. The course I am taking suggests ways in which you can get your Amazon published book to be noticed. I am writing a short prequel which will be offered free . If people like it they should hopefully go on to buy my book.

It's incredibly difficult to get an agent or a publisher here in NZ, far more so than in UK which has a large population and access to Europe.
Publishing is a business and unless they know they can make a good profit, they won't accept you.

I know several talented writers who have gone to printers privately and their books look exactly like those on the shelves in bookstores - printing has come a long way.

A print run of, say 200-500 would allow you to make quite a nice profit for your own purse, rather than someone else's.

You can advertise free on the Internet or sell them at clubs you're part of, or have a market stall or give 10 or so to charities to auction or raffle off for their funds - and benefit by that publicity to sell more ...heaps of ideas

In the shark infested waters I mentioned previously, Austin Macaulay must be the biggest shark!

I hope you get that sorted Annaram1. Must be infuriating.

AM always brags about how wonderful they are and what good deeds they are doing, supporting charities etc. They are still vanity publishers.
I am just wondering what they will say when they open my email demanding to know where my finished book is.

Austin Macauley is not the only vanity publisher. I have been approached online by about 4 more. If they offer to publish your book and you have to pay them then they are vanity publishers. You have worked hard to write your book and a publisher should pay you, not the other way round.

That is the problem with self publishing, the need to do one's own marketing. Thanks for the warnings about Austin Macauley. I have received similar pop-up ads from them and was considering contacting them but now I don't think I will. Perhaps I'll just go back to writing stories for my little granddaughter! Perhaps GN could consider publishing a book of short stories written by we grans? Perhaps a competition to select 20 of the best?

Oh no - I have just got another bill from AM saying they want their £3800 and as far as I know they never published my book, or sent me a preview copy with cover to approve, and I never got my 15 copies included, Apparently the firm is in a mess with staff leaving all the time. I am never going to pay.
I will probably publish on Amazon and it is not difficult apparently, E L James started publishing Fifty Shades there.

Thank you Anja. Are you an author yourself?

I would also suggest you join a Writers’ Circle. You can get useful feedback and help from others. Or start one yourself.

You can look up agents online. Concentrate on those who deal in your particular genre. Then submit using some of these guidelines

Getting your book noticed. or you can self publish eg on Amazon.

Oh yes! Austin Macauley- avoid avoid avoid. It's better to hang on to your rights to the book rather than sell them off to a publisher who may not even get round to publishing it.
These are all tips and suggestions garnered from speaking to other writers. There's a huge writers community out there. Even if your local group has closed there are lots of online ones. Supportive and helpful. Check out Twitter.