So you want to get published. You've spent years, months, or perhaps only weeks, pouring out your heart, your ideas onto the page. Your manuscript is great--says your family--and your friends like it too. Way to go! Or is it? Is your material really ready? Is it commercially viable? Does it have a chance? Or should you figure on self-publishing right away?

Realize, literary agents get 100+ queries a week. That's nearly 5000 a year. How do you get your query materials to stand out? How do you write with the sizzle to hook an agent? What's expected in the letter? What should be in the synopsis? Is the manuscript really good enough?

We understand your doubts, your hopes, and your dreams. And we want to make the process as successful and painless as possible. So we offer our query/synopsis development package.

Our Query/Synopsis Development Package involves a collaborative process resulting in a polished query letter, compelling synopsis, agent list and contact directions. and, access to our agent search expertise 24/7.

• Have you been rejected by literary agents and believe your writing project is dead?
• Do you have a manuscript, nonfiction proposal, or book idea and wonder what to do with it?
• Have you paid a fee to a literary agent and wonder what s/he has done with your manuscript?
• Are you confused about publishing options (POD, self-publishing, e-publishing, traditional publishing) and wonder which is best for you?
• Have you been offered a variety of book promotion services costing hundreds of dollars and wonder if they're right for you?
• Do you want to promote your writing career, for example, by entering contests?

• Take a targeted approach with our agent directory. You will know exactly how to begin your search using our list of top-selling agents interested in your genre. Choose from 16 fiction categories and 27 nonfiction categories or we can create a custom list for you. We update our database weekly to capture research on recent agent sales.
• Streamline the contact process. Our 15 Tips for Getting on the Fast Track to Agents provides step-by-step directions for contacting agents efficiently and effectively. You'll quickly identify those agents who are excited about your writing project.
• Eliminate wasted mailings. You will learn specifically who is interested in reading your sample chapters or manuscript. Otherwise, you'll waste money every time you mail your manuscript to an uninterested agent -- $40 for the average 300-page manuscript. (Copying manuscript @$.10 per page=$30.00; manuscript box=$3.00; Priority Post=$7.00)
• Avoid agent scams. Our agent directory lists only legitimate agents interested in your genre. We help you avoid unethical agents who make their money by charging up-front fees, rather than selling manuscripts to publishers.
• Consult with an objective expert who has your best interest at heart. You hear about a new agent, but have no idea if s/he is reputable. How do you find out? You're contacted by an agent. How should you respond? As questions arise about the agenting process, you have access to our expertise 24/7. When you become a client, we're happy to answer your questions and help you determine your best publishing strategy.

• Is my manuscript ready? We'll help you get your manuscript in shape for printing. Our editing services range from proofreading to copyediting and developmental editing. More on our editing services .
• Which self-publishing or POD (print on demand) company should I choose among the many available? Companies are so different in terms of price structure, services, royalties, and quality. We can help you sort through the various options and prices.
• What options and add-on packages are worthwhile? Self-publishing companies offer a amazing number of add-on packages to pump up the cost of printing your book. We help eliminate unnecessary services so you'll avoid wasting money.
• What should I realistically expect once my book is self-published? You want to have a reasonable understanding of book sales and royalties--and if you should quit your day job.

After receiving my MFA, publishing many stories, and receiving awards for my writing, I knew I was a skilled writer. But, like any writer, I have areas in my work that need improvement. Trish, you gave me exceptional, directive support in those areas – in my case, plot and wordiness. With your guidance, it took me only six months to write the book I’ve been trying to write for years -- and to get a top New York literary agent to represent me. You led me (at times hand-held me) through the process of creating a superb query and synopsis. I could not have done this without you.

Kerry Cohen Hoffman,MFA, Portland, OR