Get Signed

Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author

De: Lucinda Halpern

Narrado por: Lucinda Halpern

“All aspiring authors know the value of a great literary agent, but few know how to get one. Lucinda Halpern has written the definitive guide to attracting an agent and laying the groundwork for a book well worth publishing.”— Adam Grant, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential, and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking

A step-by-step guide from a New York literary agent that will show you how to create a winning concept, craft an irresistible pitch, and land your dream book deal.

In this practical, immediately actionable guide, Lucinda Halpern, who has represented New York Times bestsellers and brokered numerous deals with major publishers for over a decade, divulges what agents look for in authors and the shortcuts they use to get book deals but have never revealed—until now.

Lucinda has personally helped hundreds of writers and entrepreneurs launch timeless, best-selling books. But the path to literary success begins with knowing the answers to questions like:

• How do I make my book idea marketable to agents and publishers?
• What essential ingredients should my book pitch possess?
• What common pitfalls and errors should I avoid?
• How do I find a reputable agent who shares my vision?
• What can I do if I'm getting rejected by agents and publishers?

With her unique 6-step method, Lucinda provides the tools and concrete strategies to:

• Write a query letter that gets an agent's attention
• Build an effective marketing platform
• Create a timeless bestseller

Packed with interviews from best-selling authors, leading book editors from Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, and more, Get Signed is the indispensable roadmap you need right now to get noticed and become a published author.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Hay House (P)2024 Hay House

Reseñas de la Crítica

“All aspiring authors know the value of a great literary agent, but few know how to get one. Lucinda Halpern has written the definitive guide to attracting an agent and laying the groundwork for a book well worth publishing.”
— Adam Grant, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential, and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking

“While Lucinda Halpern offers invaluable advice for navigating the choppy waters of literary agencies and publishing houses, she does something even more valuable with Get Signed. She entices the writer to elevate the storytelling, to create a timeless book, and to launch a dream career.” — Jenny Jackson, VP and executive editor at Alfred A. Knopf and New York Times best-selling author of Pineapple Street

“Lucinda Halpern and her book are the map and the compass for any beginning writer looking for a way to find their perfect agent. There is no question in my mind that it will forever be the only book anyone trying to break into publishing will ever need. If only I had it when I was starting out! Wherever Lucinda leads, I will follow.” — Sam Wasson, New York Times best-selling author of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.; Fosse; and The Big Goodbye

I Loved This Book! Such A Great Resource For Writers Who Wish To Get Signed

I loved this book! Lucinda Halpern is a wealth of information. I highly recommend this book for writers who wish to sign with a literary agent and traditional publisher. I learned so much! And I loved that there was a supplemental PDF to refer to. I took a lot of notes. I did the exercises and now I feel ready to get signed! I am so thankful that she wrote this book to help writers. I am so happy that she read the Audible version too. I loved that she was cheering us to succeed. Honestly, buy this book. This book will give you everything you need to know to get signed.

The importance of the right literary agent

This book was an important tool to help me understand the ins and outs to finding your perfect literary agent who will make a huge difference in your book publishing journey!

Concrete examples & conversational style

A well-structured book that guides you through the process of preparing to get signed. Chapters allow you to skip to relevant material easily. Narrated at an engaging pace. A+.

Loved this guide

As a published author to be, I’ve found this guide to be one of the most straightforward path to make it happen.

What every author needs

After reading and listening to this book I have no doubt that I have been equipped to go to the next level as an author. Lucinda’s past performance and wealth of knowledge as a tried and true literary agent is priceless. The secret sauce that every aspiring and published author needs is in this book. Lucinda, thank you!

An elegant guide written by one of the industry’s top agents

I liked this book so much I read it twice.

From the punchy how-to material to the inspiring stories (many about authors I already knew, like Mike Michalowicz, Dan Martell, and Ben Hardy), this book is the perfect guide to both motivate and instruct you toward your goal of being a published author.

Get this book now. You won't regret it.

P.S. - I'm working on my book proposal now and can't wait to submit it to Lucinda Literary!

A Must-Read for Aspiring Authors Seeking Literary Success

As a first-time prescriptive non-fiction author currently writing my manuscript, I knew that successfully pitching and querying literary agents required a clear roadmap. My search for expert guidance led me to Lucinda Halpern’s Get Signed—a book that is not only insightful and strategic but also refreshingly transparent about the publishing industry.

I first discovered Lucinda through a webinar hosted by the Harvard Club of New York Women’s Association, where she delivered a fresh and innovative approach to getting signed by a literary agent and published. Her expertise was undeniable, and after listening to Get Signed on Audible—narrated superbly by Lucinda herself—I continued to follow her work, newsletters, and insights for over a year. What became clear to me over 18 months of observation was that Lucinda is a rare gem in the publishing world, blending deep industry knowledge with a genuine sense of purpose and a noble heart to match.

Her book is both timely and timeless, offering an essential guide for any aspiring author who wants to navigate the publishing world with clarity and confidence. She demystifies the often opaque process, emphasizing the three pillars of a successful book launch: a strong big idea, strong writing, and a strong author platform. While having all three is ideal, she reassures authors that excelling in just two can still lead to a successful publishing deal.

But Get Signed is more than just a book—it’s an entry point into a highly motivated community of authors and industry professionals. After reading it, I joined Lucinda’s publishing educational program and connected with a network of like-minded, high-achieving writers committed to excellence. She has built a team of top-tier publishing veterans who are not only highly professional but also passionate about seeing authors succeed.

In today’s world of fast-moving content and short attention spans, books remain one of the most powerful platforms for transmitting knowledge, wisdom, and human experience. Yet, the publishing world has its own intricate gatekeeping system that can be difficult to navigate. Lucinda has made it her life’s work to educate, empower, and uplift authors—helping them refine their ideas, sharpen their craft, and strategically position themselves for success.

If you are serious about getting published, Get Signed is an invaluable resource. You might pick up this book for its step-by-step guidance, but you’ll walk away with so much more—a proven strategy, an empowering mindset, and, if you choose to engage further, a supportive writing community to fuel your authorship career. I highly recommend it!

Get Signed? Probably Not. Get Closer? Yes!

Agents receive >5K queries per year and sign on <5 new writers. Lucinda hedges on this, but she will improve your query an awful lot. She's very good at "show, don't tell" so her advice is clear, understandable and memorable. She also reads her book well and persuasively. I've learned with Mark Malatesta and Jessica Brody, who both are very good, but Lucinda has the most creative ideas and is the easiest to understand. So she increases the hope factor. Maybe her ideas will help. One never knows.

Essential

In an era where publishing moves at breakneck speed and yesterday's advice feels outdated before the ink dries, Lucinda Halpern's Get Signed arrives as a beacon of clarity and expertise. I can confidently say this guide is exactly what writers need in today's rapidly shifting landscape.

Halpern, a veteran literary agent whose client list boasts multiple New York Times bestsellers, has crafted more than just another how-to manual. She's created a comprehensive roadmap that acknowledges both the challenges and opportunities in modern publishing. While many bemoan how TikTok followers have become the new currency of book deals, Halpern takes a more nuanced approach, showing writers how to navigate this new reality while staying true to their craft.

The book's unique 6-step process stands out for its practicality and depth. Rather than offering vague encouragement, Halpern provides concrete strategies for crafting attention-grabbing query letters, building effective marketing platforms, and developing concepts that resonate with both agents and publishers. The inclusion of interviews with editors from major publishing houses adds invaluable industry perspective, offering readers direct insights from the gatekeepers themselves.

What truly sets Get Signed apart is Halpern's emphasis on creating not just publishable books, but timeless ones. While she doesn't shy away from modern marketing requirements, she consistently returns to the fundamental importance of strong storytelling and compelling concepts. Her approach strikes the perfect balance between artistic integrity and commercial viability.

I found the audiobook version particularly engaging. Halpern's narration brings an extra layer of authenticity and urgency to the material, making complex industry concepts accessible and actionable.

Get Signed isn't just another entry in the crowded field of publishing guides – it's the new gold standard. For any writer serious about navigating today's publishing landscape, this book isn't just recommended reading – it's essential.