Tips for Publishing in 2021: Interview with Former Literary Agent Turned Editor, Amy Tipton
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Many writers are grabbing at straws when it comes to book publishing. What is a book synopsis? How do I write a query letter? Do I really need my manuscript professionally edited? These are questions that writers may struggle with.
The industry can feel like an elite club that only lets in a chosen few good writers. For the writers who took their dreams into their own hands, self publishing has been the way to go. But if you’re planning to go the traditional route and you haven’t networked your way into a book deal, you’re going to need some pointers from those who have been on the inside. For this reason, I interviewed former literary agent turned editor, Amy Tipton a few weeks back.
Amy is the founder of Feral Girl Books. Amy offers various services for writers including query letters and manuscript editing. Want to get ahead in 2021 with book publishing? Check out the tips Amy gives to writers seeking publishing.
D: Amy, what is your background in publishing?
A: I graduated from Naropa University with a B.A. in Writing and Literature and received my MFA from New College of California in Writing. I have been working in the publishing industry for years and started freelance editing in 2018.
Prior to starting Feral Girl Books, I was a literary agent at Signature Literary Agency since 2009. (I first stepped into the role of literary agent at Peter Rubie Literary Agency, now FinePrint Literary Management, in 2007.) I started out as an assistant and office manager — I feel I worked for/with everyone! ha! — including JCA Literary Agency, Diana Finch Literary Agency, Gina Maccoby Literary Agency, and Liza Dawson Associates; I even worked as a book scout for Aram Fox, Inc., and as a freelance editor for Lauren Weisberger (author of The Devil Wears Prada).
I really got going though once I started representing authors such as Edgar-Award winner Courtney Summers, Stonewall Prize winner Kirstin Cronn-Mills, as well as prolific authors Amy Reed, K. Ancrum, and many others. (Not just YA authors either — I’ve worked on adult mysteries/thrillers and fun rom-coms and a few series — both adult and MG…)
