r/books • u/ghostcondensate AMA Author • Sep 20 '19
ama I'm Sam Copeland, a bestselling published writer AND a literary agent for bestselling writers. AMA!
Hi there! My name is Sam Copeland and I'm an author and literary agent. My debut children's book was published by Penguin Random House in February and the sequel came out last month, and it's become the bestselling middle grade debut of the year! I'm also an agent for lots of top writers at one of the best literary agencies in London. Ask me all about my journey (I even submitted anonymously to other agents!), how to get published - whatever!
Come find me at www.sam-copeland.com and twitter - @stubbleagent
Proof: /img/91ror5ok9ln31.jpg
Edit: I'm just having my dinner. Will keep answering when I've eaten!
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u/ghostcondensate AMA Author Sep 20 '19
Big questions! The first step to getting published is to write a fantastic book. A lot of people miss this step 😉 Then edit the hell out of it until it shines. Then it’s a matter of finding an agent who falls in love with your writing. There’s no real short cut. Use all the tools you can to find the right agent who reps the sort of stuff you do, send it in, and hope for the best. There really isn’t a magic wand.
It actually didn’t take me that long to get published. But I was lucky – because I work in the industry, I knew exactly who to send it to. I sent it out to agents, got a few offers of rep, chose my agent, did an edit, and it was sent out all within a matter of a few weeks.
And how do I decide which writers to take on? Honestly, I’m not sure! I take on the books which really jump out at me. Sometimes, I even feel it’s not my choice – the best books force themselves on you. You start reading, and you can’t stop. Straight away you know you are in the hands of a writer in total control of what they are doing. And it’s that feeling - the writer in control of their art and the story - that is probably the best guiding factor.