Behind the Scenes with Literary Agent Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong

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In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid chat with Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Cathie discusses her journey in the publishing world, offering insightful tips on querying, writing from the heart, and maintaining professionalism on social media.

Guest Bio
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, author, and book lover. She began her writing career in 2014 with her debut historical fiction, The Edge of Nowhere, and later published the YA novel Roam, which addresses homelessness. With nearly a decade of experience as a literary agent, she’s passionate about championing fresh voices in publishing.

Key Discussion Points

1. Querying Best Practices – Cathie emphasizes the importance of being ready before querying, having critique partners, and researching agents thoroughly. She also highlights the need to follow submission guidelines precisely.
2. Writing from the Heart vs. Writing for the Market – Cathie discusses the balance between writing something personal and being aware of market trends, encouraging authors to merge the two.
3. Social Media and Professionalism – Cathie explains how social media presence can impact an author’s chances with an agent, stressing the importance of kindness and professionalism online.
4. What Cathie Looks for in Submissions – She seeks manuscripts that evoke emotion, stating that she loves stories that make her laugh and cry. Writing quality and chemistry with the manuscript are crucial.

Conclusion
Cathie offers invaluable advice to aspiring authors, stressing the importance of genuine, heartfelt writing, while also recognizing market needs. She highlights the significance of professionalism, both in submissions and online presence, for a successful literary career.

Mentioned Links

• Follow Cathie on Twitter for submission tips
• Cathie's manuscript wish list
• Podcast website: WritersWithWrinkles.net

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