Articles
Andrew Lownie uses his expert knowledge in the publishing field to maximise the potential of his clients and build up their careers. Here Andrew Lownie, and some of his clients and guest columnists, share advice on a variety of topics to writers. Elsewhere on the site you can find a Frequently Asked Questions list on literary agents, as well as advice for submitting work to agents.
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From Author to TV Expert
31 Jan 2011
Claire Richmond on how television companies need expert commentators which is good news for authors who can use television to build their profile . Authors have a lot to offer the TV industry but if you want to be a TV expert you have to ask yourself two questions: what are you doing to promote yourself to the TV industry and what kind of TV opportunities are you interested in? TV researchers, producers, heads of development and commissioners find experts and ideas for new programmes in lots of different places. The bookshop is definitely one of them. And I know, because I spent 15...Read more
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What Editors Want
13 Jan 2011
Thirty four editors have kindly explained what they are looking for this year giving a fascinating insight into the commissioning mind. Richard Atkinson, Senior Commissioning Editor, Bloomsbury, I’m always on the lookout for books about the slightly geeky stuff that you didn’t know you needed to know about – maths ( Alex’s Adventures in Numberland) and clouds (The Cloudspotter’s Guide) have done well for me in the past. I was quietly devastated when Simon Garfield’s Just My Type came out from Profile last autumn – I’ve aspired to publish a popular book about typography for years. I’m...Read more
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More Submission Tips
31 Oct 2010
Andrew Lownie, drawing on some recent submissions, lays out some rules when pitching to an agent. APPROACH THE AGENT PROPERLY It's very easy to identify an agent so no reason to address e mails as follows: Kind att of the general manager . Dear Sir / Madam. I take the liberty to address you . Dear Robert, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Respectful One, Hi There, Dear Potential Partner, Dear Media Entrepreneurs/Book Publishers & World Citizens, Good day, Dear Beloved One Dear Sir Andrew Dear All Hi guys, Dear Agent Lownie, Hello My Good ...Read more
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Writing True-Life Stories
10 Sep 2010
Bestselling author Cathy Glass shares some tips on how to write memoir. True-life stories, also known as inspirational or misery memoirs have enjoyed so much success in recent years that they have become a genre in their own right. This type of writing probably began about ten years ago with Frank McCourt's Angela’s Ashes,and Dave Pelzer's A Child Called It. The book shops now stock so many of these books that they often dedicate separate shelving to the genre. According to the main publishers the success of True-life stories is set to continue; as I write there are three in the To...Read more
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Addressing me
09 Sep 2010
First impressions in a submission are important especially the opening sentence of an e mail or letter. Here are some of the ways I've been addressed in recent months. Dear Folks , if I may. Dear Beloved, Dear Adrew Kownie, Bear Andrew, Dear Ms. Lownie, Dear Mr. Andrew Lownie and Friends, Dear Someone, Dear Mr Downie Hey Dave, nice of you to reply. Hallo Andrew, Dear Mr. Levin, Dear Professional and Reputable Literary Agent! Heavenly Greetings, To Revered Chairman/Secretary General Most respected Sir, Dear One: Hello My Dear, MY...Read more
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Blogging
29 Jul 2010
Drawing on his own experience, Nicholas Storey shows how blogging can substantially increase book sales. Reading David Craig’s promotion of Google AdWords, in his article dated 22nd June 2010, prompted me to suggest an article about my own recent experience with a free internet-based advertising vehicle to which AdWords can be applied. But first some background. In 2006, I sent Andrew Lownie the script for the book that became History of Men’s Fashion: What The Well Dressed Man Is Wearing (Pen & Sword Books, 2008). By early 2007 he had sold it. From the time of his enthusiastic rece...Read more
