New Website to Help Authors Find Agents or Publishers

I'm grateful to my colleague Sandy Mather for drawing my attention to a brand new website for writers called Let's Get Published.

Let's Get Published aims to provide a platform for authors of fiction or non-fiction who are seeking a publisher or agent. The idea is that you join the site (which is free) and upload a sample of your writing. This is then available for anyone to read on the website. If an agent or publisher sees your work and likes it, they will be able to contact you and (hopefully) make you an offer you can't refuse. The site's founder, Nigel Edwards, explains the concept as follows:

Instead of writers sending out manuscripts to agents and publishers, why don't the agents and publishers go directly to the manuscripts? Absurd? Not at all; the medium to do just that exists with the world wide web. Writers could publish work samples on their own websites - but how are the agents and publishers to know where to look? There are millions of writers and thousands of agents worldwide. What's needed is a common portal, or meeting place, which is exactly what http://www.letsgetpublished.com/ provides.

Of course, the success of Let's Get Published will depend ultimately on whether agents and publishers do actually visit the site in search of new talent. Nigel Edwards promises he will do everything in his power to ensure that the site is widely publicised. On the FAQs page he says they will use three main methods:

Firstly Let's Get Published will contact people in the publishing industry directly and tell them of the service we offer. Secondly we will link to various internet sites where we believe there is mutual benefit. Thirdly, and most importantly, we hope that our members will spread the word themselves. A personal recommendation is worth vastly more than any mail promotion!

Let's Get Published has only just been launched so at present the site is a little bare. You could, however, argue that now is the ideal time to join, as your work will not be crowded out by other people's!

Becoming a member is quick and easy - just click on Sign Up at the top right of the main page and complete the short application form. Once you are in, you will be able to upload samples of your work, set up your profile page, publish 'snippets' for other members to comment on, and so forth.

Overall, I think any author who is currently seeking an agent or publisher should check out Let's Get Published. Yes, there are a few mildly irritating ads to negotiate, but this is a small price to pay for the range of features and services on offer at the site.