How to submit manuscripts to a literary agency: Literary agent Fagerness at
January meeting of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild
by Ellen Shaw Tufts
---What's the mystique behind a successful literary agency---in this case the
super-prestigious Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency in Del Mat?
---Dijkstra sub-rights manager Taryn Fagerness spoke on "Do's and Dont's
of Working with a Literary Agency" at the jam-packed January 28 Guild meeting;
as one of the agency's seven staffers, she reads approximately 250 submissions
(many unsolicited) coming in each month, with a four- to- six week decision
timeline..
---"Every submission is reviewed by two editorial staffers before we reach
a decision," Taryn noted in her hard-hitting, often humorous hour-long
trrip into Dijkstra country, mostly focusing on submission dynamics and subsequent
editorial procedures.
---Recently the Los Angeles Times dubbed the Del Mar group as "the most
powerful (literary) agency on the west coast," and Taryn provided insight
into the prevailing literary agency subculture, often (unfairly or otherwise)
maligned as callous, venal and irresponsible in author submissions and editorial
decisions. In fact, the Dijkstra image came across as an splendid anchorage---however
temporary---providing meticulous editorial judgments, responsible and even caring
treatment of all submissions.
---She noted that a few incoming manuscripts have been wrapped with plastic
or elaborate giftwrap in an apparent bid for special attention; one arrived
with a miniature coffin bearing chocolates, and thus the entire staff put a
conglomerate sweethtooth on hold for the moment. (Actually, the Dijkstra group
does not handle mystery or romance genres.)
---Taryn covered various topics such as suggestions for expedient submission
procedures, maintaining smooth author-agent relations, keeping abreast of current
literary trends and genres, setting realistic writing goals, joining writers
groups and conferences, creating effective proposals, also the "elevator
speech" versus the "cocktail party speech" and she especially
recommended the widely-read daily publishing dossier, Publishers Lunch (www.publisherslunch.com)
and, of course. the indispensable Writers Marketplace found in all libraries
and bookstores. "Remember, we want only fresh projects to review----no
ISBN's or self-published volumes!'
--- As sub-rights manager she sells foreign rights to more than 35 foreign countries
along with film, audio and merchandising rights. Currently, she specializes
in general fiction,science fiction, memorirs, quirky non-fiction with a science
or environmental angle
---"I look for a spark, something that instantly connects to my intellect
or heart. I'm particularly drawn to highly original concepts and voices. I like
an element of the unexpected in fiction, something odd, interesting or unique.
I want to learn something about our world that I never knew. Above all, I look
for great writing, a great story and a great ending.."
--Her plea for correct sub,issions. to insure smoother manuscript reading :"Please
send the first 50 pages of your novel or a non-fiction book proposal, including
two sample chapters, to Taryn Fagrness, c/o Sandra Dijkstra Agency , ADDRESS
Del Mar CA 92014. Always include a stamped self-addressed envelope---the agency
does not accept e-mail submissions!."
---An informal "fiction/non-fuction" audience hand count was split
50-50 but later the audience unanimously carried home a clear understanding
of how a top-tier agency moves and, in this case, shakes the literary landscape,.
here and abroad.
---Guild president Peggy Lipscomb-Kazwara thanked Taryn for her dynamite talk
followed by her fielding questions from an ovefflow crowd .