Agent/writer interviews
Sophie Hamley from the Cameron Creswell Agency came to Bundaberg WriteFest, in May 2008, to hold agent/writer interviews...
Writers were required to submit the first 30 pages (in industry-standard format) of their manuscript, together with a two-page single-line-spaced synopsis (again, industry-standard) and appropriate cover letter.
Interviews were restricted to those writers who had a completed manuscript.
Manuscripts which met requirements were forwarded to Sophie to make a final decision who would be accepted for interview at WriteFest.
The opportunity was open only to WriteFest attendees, and successful applicants were notified two weeks prior to WriteFest.
What the writers thought:
Hazel B, Brisbane
Sophie looked up from her notes as I entered. She went straight to the point, sparing no punches, but giving positive feedback.
'Let the poetry come in,' she said. Then she gave me a few ideas on how to improve my work.
On the way home, my husband and I stopped at the cane fields. I shut my eyes - and the poetry flowed in..
Thanks to Sophie's advice, I've commenced revising my manuscript. I have also sent her a few sample pages of my memoirs, which she promised to look at.
The long drive to Bundaberg was well worth the fifteen minutes with Sophie Hamley.
DRD, Brisbane.
Having never met a real, live literary agent before, and having submitted 30 pages of my Young Adult novel, Blue Sky Falling, in advance, I wasn't sure what to expect when my turn came for my fifteen minutes with Sophie Hamley from Cameron Creswell Agency, Sydney, at the 2008 WriteFest.
Sophie turned out to be friendly, professional and encouraging.
I had prepared several questions in advance I wanted to ask, which I gave to her, and that helped the discussion after she had given me feedback on my novel and my query letter. (For the latter I used the tips on Agent Query: www.agentquery.com/writer.) Fortunately, Sophie liked them both, and she promised to get back to me on the full manuscript of the book within three months (I've learned that nothing happens fast in publishing). And she gave me an idea for another book, non-fiction this time. Like gamblers, writers live in hope, so watch out for Blue Sky Falling in your favourite bookshop (but perhaps not this year).