The Truth about Agents and Screenplays

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Mar 9, 1999

One of the questions I get asked a lot goes something like this: "I have used my military experience in special services to write a military espionage novel. The novel is finished and I need an agent. Can you suggest one?" The truth of it is I really cannot recommend any particular agent, publishing house, production company, or studio.

The why's for this lack of recommendation are varied. Mostly, it involves not knowing you as a writer and not knowing what audience you want to market. Do I know some agents? Yes, but if I were to recommend someone that turns out to be a poor writer simply because they asked for a recommendation I would be the one with egg on his face. So, don't ask.

To more directly answer the question, my first choice is a site that has a list of agents http://www.writers.net/agents.html . My second choice is the Screenwriters Guild of America, West site http://www.wga.org/ . My third choice would be to get hold of Writers Digest Books Guide to Literary Agents. This is a comprehensive list of agents throughout the world. A word of caution, some agents charge reading fees. As far as I am concerned, this is a no - go. The agent makes his/hers money from a commission on the sale of the book.

To answer another question: "I've just finished this novel (screenplay). Would you read it and tell me what you think?" The short answer is no. Excuse me, reading and commenting on screenplays and novels for military authenticity is how I make my living. I answer one freebee question per person at my Chat Board http://hollywoodnetwork.com/Lovett/chat/.... That's all the freebees you get. If you want me to read your novel or screenplay, write me. I'll send you my rate schedule.

Another question I get is: "How did you get started in the motion picture industry?" In previous commentary, I have answered this. See this site http://suite101.com/article.cfm/military.... The short story is that after I left the military I commenced on doing something I had always wanted to do - screenwriting. Attending seminars, classes, groups, etc., I understood that a lot of the young writers, directors, producers had no military background. This situation was also true of the industry's support people costumers, scenic designers, armourers, etc. Therefore, their collective representation of people in the military was stilted. Therefore, I asked the Internet Screenwriters Network to set up a chat board. This has all been an up - hill battle with few direct rewards. However, if you have the perseverance you can succeed. As Winston Churchill said, "Never give up. Never, ever, give up. Never, never, never give up."

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