The Gilbert Sisters on: How Do I Get Published?

The very first audience question answered by Elizabeth Gilbert and Catherine Gilbert Murdock at our Eat, Love, Write event last Thursday was, “How do I get an agent?”

“Don’t think about that yet.  Think about writing.  A superlative story will find a way to publication,” said Catherine Gilbert Murdock, who has published four young adult novels.  She stressed the importance of worrying more about perfecting what you have—of writing, rewriting, and rewriting again—before trying to find an agent to read your copy.

Elizabeth Gilbert was quick to agree, discussing the publisher’s point of view.  “They know instantly when it’s a gem.  It shines by itself.  All you have to do is learn how to produce diamonds.”  Simple enough, right?

Gilbert also threw in a quick story about an author she knew discussing this with a magazine editor at an event.  Eager to get published, he asked, “How can I get something written in your magazine?”

“Easy.  Just write something better than anything else I’ve ever read,” he replied.  Problem solved.

Both sisters firmly believe that the most successful stories don’t come out of the constant search for an agent, but rather the constant work put into a good story.