T Campbell's Blog
Writer of Penny and Aggie, Fans (also called Faans), Rip & Teri, Search Engine Funnies and A History of Webcomics. Experienced webcomics editor, currently seeking full-time work and working on strange and interesting new things...Sunday, March 06, 2005
A Form Letter for Literary Agents.
(This is the rough draft. I'm having a pro look it over. But feedback is definitely welcome. Bear in mind that modesty is not encouraged when selling yourself to a literary agent. Report on the weekend's events is scheduled for early tomorrow.)
Dear __________,
Graphic novels have been one of the few solid growth sectors in publishing in recent years, and they are poised to hold steady as more traditional publishers take interest. There has never been a better time to represent a comics creator, and I feel I'm one of the best you could represent.
I've been writing comics both in print and on the Web for six years. I've been recognized by popular sources as "one of the best writers in our field" and "an absolute master of pacing." I have a printed miniseries and trade paperback, Penny and Aggie, due out later this year, and Tokyopop has selected me as a winner in their "Rising Stars of Manga" competition. Online, I have bucked the trend of "everything is free" and not only written the second-most-successful subscription comic, but edited the second-most-successful subscription comics website. I've written over sixty stories in genres from comedy to drama to escapist science fiction.
I'm also an established comics commentator, having written the widely praised "History of Online Comics" for Comixpedia.com and a section of the upcoming book, Webcomics.
I'm now ready to concentrate my efforts in print. Being a writer with artist collaborators, I can produce a variety of projects quickly and simultaneously.
I have some projects now ready to seek representation.
The Verge. Edgy science fiction in the mold of Cory Doctorow, set one generation from now. A blogger with a self-appointed mission to keep up with technology learns he's failed in that task when a power he can't identify tries to kill him. His flight will lead him to great discoveries about himself, the world he thought he knew, and the future of humanity. Artist: Sam Romero.
Rip & Teri. A spy romance, beginning as Rip, a retired superspy, finds his false identity exposed. He runs from Teri, the nonviolent schoolteacher he loves, knowing his enemies will catch up to him and refusing to endanger her with his presence. But neither he nor Teri could have imagined how far she will go to keep him. Artists: John Waltrip and David Willis.
Pop Star. The first installment of this ongoing series, primed for the shojo market, is set to appear in Tokyopop's "Rising Stars" digest, but its long-term future is up for negotiation. Featuring Tina, pop singer extraordinaire, this wacky comedy mixes over-the-top characters with all-too-true stories from the headlines. Artist: Amy Mebberson.
Comics Haiku. A set of 100 simple, funny short poems about the icons of American comics, from Superman and Spider-Man to Charlie Brown and Dilbert. Artist: N/A.
T Campbell's Treasury of Romance Comics. An anthology of, and guide to, the best romantic comics in existence, with an emphasis on modern titles still in print. Curious readers who are well-disposed to comics and romance-- another growth genre in the publishing field-- will greatly appreciate this volume. Artists: various.
Other projects are in early development.
I look forward to speaking with you!
Dear __________,
Graphic novels have been one of the few solid growth sectors in publishing in recent years, and they are poised to hold steady as more traditional publishers take interest. There has never been a better time to represent a comics creator, and I feel I'm one of the best you could represent.
I've been writing comics both in print and on the Web for six years. I've been recognized by popular sources as "one of the best writers in our field" and "an absolute master of pacing." I have a printed miniseries and trade paperback, Penny and Aggie, due out later this year, and Tokyopop has selected me as a winner in their "Rising Stars of Manga" competition. Online, I have bucked the trend of "everything is free" and not only written the second-most-successful subscription comic, but edited the second-most-successful subscription comics website. I've written over sixty stories in genres from comedy to drama to escapist science fiction.
I'm also an established comics commentator, having written the widely praised "History of Online Comics" for Comixpedia.com and a section of the upcoming book, Webcomics.
I'm now ready to concentrate my efforts in print. Being a writer with artist collaborators, I can produce a variety of projects quickly and simultaneously.
I have some projects now ready to seek representation.
The Verge. Edgy science fiction in the mold of Cory Doctorow, set one generation from now. A blogger with a self-appointed mission to keep up with technology learns he's failed in that task when a power he can't identify tries to kill him. His flight will lead him to great discoveries about himself, the world he thought he knew, and the future of humanity. Artist: Sam Romero.
Rip & Teri. A spy romance, beginning as Rip, a retired superspy, finds his false identity exposed. He runs from Teri, the nonviolent schoolteacher he loves, knowing his enemies will catch up to him and refusing to endanger her with his presence. But neither he nor Teri could have imagined how far she will go to keep him. Artists: John Waltrip and David Willis.
Pop Star. The first installment of this ongoing series, primed for the shojo market, is set to appear in Tokyopop's "Rising Stars" digest, but its long-term future is up for negotiation. Featuring Tina, pop singer extraordinaire, this wacky comedy mixes over-the-top characters with all-too-true stories from the headlines. Artist: Amy Mebberson.
Comics Haiku. A set of 100 simple, funny short poems about the icons of American comics, from Superman and Spider-Man to Charlie Brown and Dilbert. Artist: N/A.
T Campbell's Treasury of Romance Comics. An anthology of, and guide to, the best romantic comics in existence, with an emphasis on modern titles still in print. Curious readers who are well-disposed to comics and romance-- another growth genre in the publishing field-- will greatly appreciate this volume. Artists: various.
Other projects are in early development.
I look forward to speaking with you!
Comments:
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Since I have absolutely no capacity to judge the viability of immodesty (spot the stage fright!), the only nit I can pick: "a winner" makes a little antenna go up in my head. How does the placement system work for RSoM?
Here's some gut reactions...
I would ditch the first paragraph. If I were a literary agent, I might take offense of someone trying to tell me about "trends" in my business, especially by someone who is supposed looking for my help and services.
Some might react with "We aren't you the little smart ass telling me what is going on in MY business? You snot nosed little twit! I'm a literary agent and you're NOBODY! HOW DARE YOU LECTURE ME?" and toss your letter in the garbage.
I don't think every agent would act like Kevin Spacey in "Swimming with Sharks", but if caught one before his coffee with Sweet-and-Low (NOT EQUAL!), you might get a nasty reaction...even if you are correct.
Second, why listing your ideas in the letter? Is this recommended by anyone as standard procedure in a letter like this? Again, if I were an agent, I might be thinking "Who the hell is this guy? I haven't even spoken to him yet and he's already pitching ideas! What nerve!" (wads up letter and slam dunks into garbarge can.)
But there is one thing that does seperates you from the tons of slush that probably lands on their desks from people writing comics about vampire dominatrixes and psychopaths who pitch stuff like "Wouldn't be cool if the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fought the Predator and Mr. Pinhead from 'Hellraiser'?"...
...you have been published! (Ching!)
..and you have been PAID for it! (CHING! CHING!)
I'm not an expert, nor do I pretend to be one, but I would find peers in your field who are getting deals and ask what they did to get an agent. I know that novel writers often make fatal mistakes in their cover letters and their presentations that get them rejected, even if they are good writers. Once they knew the traps and goofs they were making, they had a better go of it.
It can be a detail as simple as making sure you print it on good paper in LASER, not Inkjet with cheapo typing paper from Office Max.
It's little details that can defeat you, if you don't know what to watch out for.
Good luck.
I would ditch the first paragraph. If I were a literary agent, I might take offense of someone trying to tell me about "trends" in my business, especially by someone who is supposed looking for my help and services.
Some might react with "We aren't you the little smart ass telling me what is going on in MY business? You snot nosed little twit! I'm a literary agent and you're NOBODY! HOW DARE YOU LECTURE ME?" and toss your letter in the garbage.
I don't think every agent would act like Kevin Spacey in "Swimming with Sharks", but if caught one before his coffee with Sweet-and-Low (NOT EQUAL!), you might get a nasty reaction...even if you are correct.
Second, why listing your ideas in the letter? Is this recommended by anyone as standard procedure in a letter like this? Again, if I were an agent, I might be thinking "Who the hell is this guy? I haven't even spoken to him yet and he's already pitching ideas! What nerve!" (wads up letter and slam dunks into garbarge can.)
But there is one thing that does seperates you from the tons of slush that probably lands on their desks from people writing comics about vampire dominatrixes and psychopaths who pitch stuff like "Wouldn't be cool if the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fought the Predator and Mr. Pinhead from 'Hellraiser'?"...
...you have been published! (Ching!)
..and you have been PAID for it! (CHING! CHING!)
I'm not an expert, nor do I pretend to be one, but I would find peers in your field who are getting deals and ask what they did to get an agent. I know that novel writers often make fatal mistakes in their cover letters and their presentations that get them rejected, even if they are good writers. Once they knew the traps and goofs they were making, they had a better go of it.
It can be a detail as simple as making sure you print it on good paper in LASER, not Inkjet with cheapo typing paper from Office Max.
It's little details that can defeat you, if you don't know what to watch out for.
Good luck.
Try re-wording the paragraphs a little .Ignore the part about the trends , give examples of work you have done in the past
End with:
I have some projects now ready to seek representation and others in developemt.I look forward to hearing from you, and speaking in more detail about what I have covered here.
Leave out the project details this way they will contact you if interest.
Ps. if you are going to quote someone show who it was so the source can be verified.
End with:
I have some projects now ready to seek representation and others in developemt.I look forward to hearing from you, and speaking in more detail about what I have covered here.
Leave out the project details this way they will contact you if interest.
Ps. if you are going to quote someone show who it was so the source can be verified.
Forgive the following critique from one in no posision to give advise (or correct spelling).
I'm tending to agree with Darth Ferret, though I should prefer to change the overall tone of the entire missive.
If "modesty is not encouraged" then feeling should also get tanked. Sentence #2 would then become "I am (probably/among) the best you could represent.
Having made that opening a bit more forceful, the rest of the missive sounds weak.
Brevity is the soul of wit. Stick to the concrete. Melt paragraphs 2-4 down into your opening. Lets see...
After six years of critically-acclaimed writing (and editing) in multiple genres, both in print media and on the internet, my next several projects will be in print. I seek an agent capable of representing my interests in these endeavours.
Attach several pages of bibliography for effect.
Wow. Did I do that?
Now if only I could get my resume to read like that.
Best of luck!
(I have GOT to change this Blogger name...)
I'm tending to agree with Darth Ferret, though I should prefer to change the overall tone of the entire missive.
If "modesty is not encouraged" then feeling should also get tanked. Sentence #2 would then become "I am (probably/among) the best you could represent.
Having made that opening a bit more forceful, the rest of the missive sounds weak.
Brevity is the soul of wit. Stick to the concrete. Melt paragraphs 2-4 down into your opening. Lets see...
After six years of critically-acclaimed writing (and editing) in multiple genres, both in print media and on the internet, my next several projects will be in print. I seek an agent capable of representing my interests in these endeavours.
Attach several pages of bibliography for effect.
Wow. Did I do that?
Now if only I could get my resume to read like that.
Best of luck!
(I have GOT to change this Blogger name...)
Thanks, guys. First paragraph pretty much ditched, RSoM note revised, summaries shunted from the query to the follow-up. Now to see what the pro thinks.
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