After publishing a snippet from my interview with Cathryn Summerhayes in a previous blog post, I started thinking that it would probably be more helpful to publish the whole thing. Cathryn is a literary agent at William Morris Endeavor, and I interviewed her a few months ago for my magazine the Artillery of Words. She has loads of good advice to put out there for new writers who are trying to break into the industry, and her answers and suggestions are well worth a read. Huge thanks to Cathryn for allowing me to pick her brains about the elusive world of writing.
Artillery: As a literary agent for William Morris you must read lots of manuscripts, what makes a book really stand out to you?
Cathryn: I think above everything a unique voice is what really makes something stand out – yes a plot, setting etc is all important but I need to be hooked from the first sentence if I’m going to keep reading.
Artillery:What are your three favourite books of all time?
Cathryn: Never Let Me Go by Kasuo Ishiguro, The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and The House of Sleep by Jonathan Coe.
Artillery: Is it important for new writers to include a covering letter and a synopsis when submitting a manuscript to an agency or publishers?
Cathryn: A covering letter is very important, but keep it shortish and to the point – no more than a page. A brief synopsis is always welcome but not pages and pages of description – think along the lines of writing something like the blurbs you see on the back of books – couple of hundred words should suffice.
Artillery: Would you suggest that new writers stick to major publishing houses or try the smaller independent ones as well?
Cathryn: I am a big fan of smaller independents and interestingly now a lot of the imprints in major publishing houses run like smaller houses anyway (4th Estate, Harvil etc). I think the most important thing is finding an editor who really gets your writing and is willing to represent you/your book in an aquisitions meeting and really sell it to the rest of the team, sales, marketing etc. Some authors prefer being published by smaller houses as they feel part of a family and know everyone from the receptionist to the MD but there’s no denying the sales clout of the bigger publishing companies. Keeping an open mind would always be my view. I have relationships with all the major and smaller publishers and it really is a case of matching the right book to the right editor.
Artillery: What common mistakes do new writers tend to make?
Cathryn: Over writing is certainly my biggest bugbear. New writers have a tendency to use three words when they could just use one…over description, mixing metaphors, making sweeping statements…you see a lot of it. I think writers are afraid to cut but in my view less is definitely more – you can always develop something and add words but I find it really difficult to pull out the quality writing from a manuscript that runs to hundreds of thousands of words. Don’t be afraid to be your own editor – if you don’t hack it apart someone else will. During the editorial process, cut cut cut would always be my mantra for new writers.
Artillery: Have you ever read a book that you have absolutely hated and if so which is it and why?!
Cathryn: I hate quite a lot of books…for different reasons. Laziness is a biggie for me – I hate it when a writer becomes so established that their agents sell substandard books simply because they know their editor will buy…I am not going to name any names but they know who they are. More recently I have to admit that I really didn’t like Room by Emma Donahue which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It was much hyped and pretty much everyone except me seems to love it but I found it sensationalistic.
Artillery: How long does it usually take from when a publisher accepts your book to when it is lining bookshop shelves for all the world to see?
Cathryn: I guess that’s a case of how long is a piece of string really. I’d say on average a year to eighteen months but I sold a book two years ago that won’t be published until June this year because the editor who bought it did so much work with the author and really made it a much better book. And then you have the rush books – if there’s something very topical then a book can be turned around in less than six months – particularly trashy celebrity memoirs etc…sometimes it’s a real race against time. When Michael Jackson died it was all about who could be the first to get a new MJ book in the shops – obviously the quality of writing and production can really be affected by this rush…
Artillery: Do you think the ‘short story’ is making a comeback?
Cathryn: Everyone keeps talking about the revival of the short story and I guess my take on it is that it never really went away – I am lucky enough to work with writers such as Alice Munro, Amy Bloom and Clare Wigfall who are all successful short story writers. I guess the hope is that with all the new fangled electronic readers, IPads etc people will be looking for a quick fix read for their journey to work or something, so short stories may fit the bill. Short story collections are a tough sell full stop and the writing does have to be absolutely exceptional but there is certainly room for them on any bookshelf and I hope that in the future they will be awarded as many prizes as full length literary novels.
Artillery: Do you think it is true that everyone has the potential to write at least one novel?
Cathryn:I certainly don’t think I ever will! I think a lot of people think they can write a novel because basically everyone has the wherewithal to do it – all you need is a bit of imagination, a piece of paper and a pen…I don’t think this is necessarily a good thing. Quality writing is a very tough thing to do and sometimes I think people assume it is easy – you know how to spell, you’ve read a few books, you can do it…! Like any artwork a good novel needs to be written by a skilled artist and it may take years for them to hone their craft. I wouldn’t dissuade anyone who said they wanted to write a novel but I would point out that it is not an easy thing to do and is highly unlikely to bring them instant wealth and fame!
Artillery: What genres are the most popular at the moment?
Cathryn: Crime and thrillers are as popular as ever, filling up most of the top fifty. There is a trend for nostalgia, particularly anything 1950s or wartime related. Chicklit is on the decline but glamorous fiction ie bonkbusters seems to be on the up again. In non fiction celebrity memoirs are still riding high and if this Christmas is anything to go by meercats seem to be the most popular animals!! It has been a good year for literary fiction thanks to books like Freedom by Jonathan Franzen which really got the mass market talking about clever books again…
Artillery: Is it very hard to get young children’s books published, there seems to be enormous competition for books for this age group?
Cathryn: There is huge competition for all bookslots, adult, children, fiction, non fiction. Sadly the market is over-crowded so it is very tough to find a publishing deal these days – but if your material is unique and innovative and well written then you stand as good a chance as the next man…
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