With the current economic downturn I am accepting very few new clients.  It is important to read all of the pages on the site so that you completely understand my modus operandi.

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• I don't charge a reading fee.
• I have a foreign rights agent based in London who represents my agency, selling translation rights.
• I have numerous literary scouts working on behalf of my clients. Scouts promote writers to publishers in non-English-speaking countries.
• I have two agencies in New York who will represent my clients in North America.
• I have a film agent in London who sells rights on behalf of my clients.
• My commission rates are available on request.
• Once we are working together any photocopying, postage, bank charges and any mobile, national and or international phone calls will be charged to you.
• I don't work with poetry, individual short stories or articles.
• I am a founding member of the NZALA (New Zealand Association of Literary Agents).
• I don’t edit my authors’ manuscripts (although I may suggest some editorial changes before submitting to a publisher).
• If you want your manuscript assessed or edited, check out the information I have on the links page about the best editors to work with, as well as the New Zealand Association of Manuscript Assessors (NZAMA).
  
• For other useful websites, check out the LINKS page.

• Write, e-mail or phone in advance of sending any material to check if I am taking on clients. This saves a lot of time for everyone. Tell me what it is you want to submit, i.e. a piece of adult fiction or children’s non-fiction.
• If you intend submitting your writing to more than one agent it is courteous to let all agents know of your plans.
• I do not represent clients with one-off projects. Nor do I work with poetry, short story collections or picture books.
  
• I don't accept submissions by e-mail or fax.
• Never send original material – always send a copy.
• If you want me to acknowledge receipt of your manuscript please enclose a stamped, addressed postcard.
• Include a covering letter and a one-page synopsis.
• Send the first three chapters of your book.
• The manuscript must be printed in double spacing on one side of A4 paper.
• Do not send bound pages.
• Number the pages.
• Print the title, your name and contact details on the cover page.
• Include the word count.
• Include your CV.
• Tell me if you have had any writing published.
• If you want your material returned, please include an SAE.

• I will phone or arrange to meet – that way we will both know that we're comfortable working together. I will explain how the submission process works.  It's a good idea for you to have lots of questions to ask so that I can address any of your concerns.
• If it's necessary I will advise you how to revise the proposal and/or the manuscript, either personally or in conjunction with a freelance editor.
• I will compile a list of the best publishers for your project and make calls to establish interest and circulate your project.  It is usual to submit to one publisher at a time with the responses usually arriving within four weeks. The time frame can vary from project to project and from editor to editor.
• Often there will be rejections and I will discuss these with you and together we can decide how to proceed. However, with some luck and good management there will be an offer that will lead to a publishing contract.
• The contract terms offered will be based on the number of books the publisher thinks they can sell. I discuss the offer with you and begin negotiations with the publisher.
• There are many ways of submitting manuscripts. The norm is the way described above. A multiple submission involves submitting to a number of publishers and giving them a time frame in which to respond. A multiple submission hopefully ends with the author and agent deciding which offer is most favourable. Finally, if there is a lot of interest in a project I can undertake an auction and the highest bidder wins. However, auctions are rarely held in New Zealand.