Why a writer needs an agent
We鈥檝e all heard the stories of magnificent novels initially turned down by multiple publishers before sparking any interest. (How many times did Madeline L鈥橢ngle send out 鈥淎 Wrinkle in Time鈥�?)
In the case of Louise Erdrich鈥檚 first novel 鈥淟ove Medicine,鈥� however, there鈥檚 an interesting twist. Apparently Erdrich was turned down everywhere she sent the novel. Then, her husband, the writer Michael Dorris, decided to promote the book himself. He made his own stationary with the words 鈥�Michael Dorris Agency鈥� printed at the top.
The novel was then accepted by Holt and was an almost immediate success. (Note to writers eager to try this method: It helps to actually be able to write like Louise Erdrich.) 鈥淭he Plague of Doves鈥� is her twelfth novel.
