Agents: From Hello to Goodbye

Cole Gibsen

Paula Stokes

If you’re around writers for any length of time, the topic always comes up: Why do you need an agent when you can publish a book yourself? 

While the number of self-published titles has almost tripled since 2006, according to an October 2012 report from Bowker Books, the traditional publishing route still has its proponents.

Two agented local authors--Paula Stokes (AKA Fiona Paul) and Cole Gibsen—will address the pros and cons July 13 in their talk on “Agents: From Hello to Goodbye.” Sponsored by the St. Louis Writers Guild, the workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road in Kirkwood. Free to Guild members, $5 for nonmembers.

The Young Adult novelists will cover the querying process, dealing with rejection, finding the “right” agent, and determining when to part ways with an agent.

Paula is the author of VENOM, BELLADONNA, and the forthcoming STARLING and THE ART OF LAINEY. When she's not writing (rare), she's kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. She's petted tigers, snuggled snakes, snorkeled with stingrays, and once enjoyed the suction-cuppy feel of a baby elephant's trunk as it ate peanuts from her palm. Paula is a graduate of Hazelwood West, Washington University, and the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. She currently makes her home in the Central West End.

When Cole isn't writing books for young adults, she can be found rocking out with her band, sewing crazy costumes for the fun of it, picking off her nail polish, or drinking milk straight from the jug -- provided no one is looking. She is the author of the young adult KATANA series. To learn more about Cole and her books you can visit www.ColeGibsen.com or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/colegibsen