Looking for literary agents? > Likes and Comments

I queried a ton of literary agents this year while trying to get my debut novel traditionally published. I found that the process felt slow and outdated pretty much the whole way through. That's why I made WestQuery, a modern platform to find literary agents and track submissions. I mostly built it for myself, but it's available to anyone who's interested in using it, 100% free. If you're interested, feel free to check it out at the link below!

westquery.com

Thank you for this Ben. This can be a valuable service... Michael

In your experience, what are the benefits of traditional publishing over self-publishing or indie publishing? What pitfalls have you found for traditional publishing?

Hi Ben, thanks for sharing WestQuery. I had a look at it and have registered. I went through the traditional querying process with my first fantasy novel before eventually deciding to publish independently, so I can certainly relate to how difficult and time-consuming the process can be.

I'm currently writing the next book in The Auren Chronicles, and although I'm concentrating on finishing the story rather than querying at the moment, I'm going to keep WestQuery as a resource for future agent searches.

All the best,
T. L. Collins

Ben,

It's so difficult to go the traditional publishing way, as you've probably discovered. They're so limited and narrow in what they're looking for. Obviously, they're looking to make a profit, as with any corporation. Plus, as you stated, it's a long and laborious process. The only real advantage to the traditional publishing is the marketing aspect. These large publishers have the resources to push their works, whereas the majority of us indie authors don't... Yet, indie publishers (those that publish themselves, I consider indie) can write and publish as we want. We're not limited by those large publishing companies rigid formats... Unless you can somehow break that code into the traditional publishing companies' vault, there's not much of a decision to make for most of us indie authors.

Michael

I've started my own publishing company to fill the gap between self-publishing and traditional publishing. The issue I run into is the marketing.

Don

I've worked for the past 10 years with a very small publisher that my wife knew in college. I absolutely agree with Don that the marketing is the main issue.

The creative freedom of small publishing is great; I get to write the back copy and get lots of input in the cover designs, so I can ensure the finished product matches my vision. But the advertising is a huge problem, and makes for a VERY tenuous existence for me as a full-time writer, despite having over 30 books available and having made the USA Today Bestseller list twice.

I definitely understand why many classic authors had another revenue stream to supplement their writing income. It's a tough gig.