Listen "Ep 79: Querying Literary Agents with Lauren Kay"
Episode Synopsis
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Lauren Kay's young adult debut novel, We Ship It, was a dream come true, but it wasn't easy to get there. Now, she helps other writers achieve the same joy, minus the roadblocks. Having secured eight agent offers in a month, she works with authors dreaming about a traditional publishing deal to help them write irresistible query letters.INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTSThe 7-year path to her first novel, for which she received a 6-figure advance (best quote: "Lightning speed in this industry is 7 years.")The importance of transparency in the book industry when it comes to timelines, sales figures, and overall expectationsThe idea of an author “deserving” their lead author status (I hadn't heard this before, and loved the discussion around it!)How changing our expectations as authors can lead to far better results The “before” and “after” of publishingTop mistakes to avoid when writing query letters + how to navigate the world of querying without becoming (too) disappointed CONNECT WITH LAUREN:Query letter masterclass: https://www.laurenkaywrites.com/insiders-guide-READY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/chapterone WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy. 👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility WONDERING EXACTLY HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH SO YOU CAN STOP GUESSING?Grab the action plan and finally feel confident you’re doing this the right way.👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/actionplan CURIOUS ABOUT AMAZON ADS AS AN INDIE AUTHOR?Snag the small but mighty tweaks that help your book actually sell before you ever spend a dime on Amazon ads.👉 PublishAProfitableBook.com/trialSupport the show****** Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth
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