How not to #6

Continuing with our 'How not to' guest blogs, bestselling author and former literary agent Orna Ross explains what NOT to say to an Agent or Editor:

“This is the first of a trilogy.”

Writers often don’t realise it but when you submit work to an agent or editor , what you are essentially asking is for them to invest their money in you. Even if they love your work and can see financial potential in it, they know from long experience all the many things that can go wrong. Publishing is a tough game for everybody involved and many a sure thing has failed to deliver.

As a first author, you are a risky prospect. Asking them to take three times the risk only makes them three times more likely to say no.

Submit one (truly great and irresistible) book at a time.