MICHAEL MOHR BOOK EDITOR & PROFESSIONAL WRITER

It’s a funny thing, the first five pages of a manuscript. They say—I’m referring to agents, editors, and publishers here—that the first five pages (or first few chapters, really) should have no back story; that it should be all about dialogue, action, placing the character, the protagonist, into a journey; the point of no return. I agree that there should be limited back story, that it should use action and dialogue, and that the main character should start their journey. But

Well, people, fellow writers around the blogosphere, and internet trolls, I am still trying to land that ever elusive literary agent, seeking representation for my suspense novel, The Grim Room. I will tell you: This is a tough gig. It’s no longer about how talented you are. It’s about connections, perseverance, and dumb pure luck. I have been working on this novel for about three-and-a-half years. It has gone through drastic reformations. It has been completely rewritten twi

Many writers out there wonder how, in the hell, can they get their book into the worthy and capable hands of a literary agent. Well, it’s a process. For one thing, I’ll be blunt: If you have a connection of any kind, use it. If you can nail down a referral, that will help big time. But assuming that’s not an option, and you have to go in ‘cold,’ here’s how you do it. First off, start by writing the book all the way through. You’d be amazed how many agents tell me that writers

I think one of the hardest things about being a writer is that you have to trust your gut. For most of us aspiring authors, it’s a tough thing to suss out the productive from the non-productive. We, as a species—writers—are inundated with info and workshops and literary journals/magazines, critique groups, conferences, editors’ opinions, professionals’ opinions, etc. And ALL THE TIME. One thing I have come to realize over the years as a published writer is that, at some point