Sanderson 2012.6 - Agents, Editors, and Submissions

Brandon Sanderson’s 2012 Semester at BYU: Creative Writing, Lecture 6

This video is a mirror of the materials posted by user writeaboutdragons. I’ve linked together the parts of the lecture into a single video, and provided some notes with timestamps below. Enjoy!

*Notes*

0:12 / Networking at cons
Personalize queries if you can
Editors are also at cons and easier to find than agents
Meet published authors if you can to network

8:46 / Alternatives to cons
Find agents/editors blogs or social media
Be familiar with the books editors have previously accepted

13:52 / Meeting editors and agents
Have a pitch if prompted, but do not bring your manuscript
Editors are expecting to be approached, but keep it professional
Get to know the editors, learn about their interests

31:00 / Submissions
Don’t do anything weird; double space, with page numbers

32:18 / Pitches
Have 3 pitches prepared and practiced
- One sentence “log line”
- One paragraph elevator pitch
- One sheet summary (including twists)
Fewer names is better
Goal is to make them want to read the book; find the spark and make it a hook

40:33 / Questions
Anecdote: 1000 queries ; 100 full chapters ; 10 MS requests ; 1 bought
Rejections should be sent within 6 months
Gentleman’s agreement: only one editor should have a full MS at a time
- This is phasing out