A Few Questions with Sheree Bykofsky

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Literary Agent, Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Writing, Writing Conferences

 

In the last of our series to introduce presenters and agents, GLVWG’s Dawn Sooy took a few moments to ask Sheree Bykofsky a few questions. Sheree will be taking pitches at the upcoming 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™, Saturday March 24 (advance registration required).

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Dawn – As an agent, you work with writers, hopefully, long-term, but who are strangers to you at first. Do you look at more than the work submitted to determine that relationship?

Sheree – Yes, I like to know I’m working with an author who knows what is expected of a professional author, even if this is their first book. I like authors who help me to help them so that each step of the way we both feel like we are on the same team. This professional relationship has made me feel genuine love for many, many of my authors. Ultimately, so many of them feel like they are friends and even family. Mutual appreciation makes this field so rewarding.

Dawn – Writers often say they became writers because they have to write. What drew you to becoming an agent?

Sheree – It is a perfect symbiosis of my skills. It involves my left and right brain in equal measure: assessing manuscripts, being empathetic to people, being the first to read the work of creative and brilliant minds, understanding the needs of publishers and searching for the perfect editor, negotiating contracts in the U.S. and around the world, educating authors. And when the result is a beautiful book and a happy, knowledgeable, appreciative author, what can be more rewarding than that?

Dawn – When you get a submission, how far into it do you get before you know this one is not for you?

Sheree – It varies, but it can be very quick. It isn’t hard to recognize a professional quality submission

Dawn – What trends in the publishing marketplace attract your attention? What genres are hot?

Sheree – For me the old standbys remain my favorite: prescriptive non-fiction: business, health, lifestyle, cooking, etc.

Dawn – I understand you are an exceptional poker player. Tell us a little about that; how did you start? Do you have an engaging story about a competition?

Sheree – I’m very excited that my 4th poker book THE KAIZEN OF POKER will be published in June, 2018. It is about improving your game, something everyone can do in all aspects of their life, at any level. I can’t wait to promote.

Here is a funny story. I was once playing poker at the Borgata. We discussed a rule, and I clearly said I knew the rule and they can trust me on it because I am the author of THE RULES OF POKER (now out of print). The stranger at the table, said, “How interesting that you are an author! Do you do anything else for a living?” I said, yes, I am a literary agent. He said, “Oh! Do you happen to know Sheree Bykofsky? That’s the only agent I know.” I told him I am Sheree Bykofsky and he didn’t believe me. Another man at the table confirmed it. The man said I had rejected his query a while back but had given him some guidance that he appreciated.

Dawn – I really appreciate this, Sheree See you at the conference.

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  Article submitted by Dawn Sooy

Dawn Sooy is a multitasker with the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, fulfilling the duties of Secretary and Conference Chair for the 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™.

A native of Eastern Pennsylvania, and too full of energy to even consider a rocking chair, Dawn published six short stories, the most recent, “Love Knows No Boundaries,” featured in the 2016 GLVWG anthology, Write Here – Write Now. She is currently working on a full-length novel titled, “From The Darkness,” scheduled for publication in early 2018, with plans to publish a horror anthology later in the year.

You can find Dawn on her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/DawnMSooyAuthor/

Meet Sheree Bykofsky

Tags

Literary Agent, Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Writing, Writing Conferences

Sheree Bykofsky founded and is president of Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Inc. A long-standing member of the AAR and the first agent to have a web page, Sheree has represented over a thousand authors in all areas of adult non-fiction as well as literary and commercial fiction. Her non-fiction specialties include popular reference, business, health, psychology, poker, spirituality, self-help, humor, cookbooks, pop culture, biography, women’s issues, decorating; crafts, music, and much more.

From her “LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.” – “I am a generalist and have eclectic and sometimes eccentric tastes. I represent all areas of non-fiction and commercial and literary fiction. I don’t limit myself to particular genres because I’m always surprised by what appeals to me. If I love it, then I’ll take it on. The only way to know is to try me. If it needs work and I want to represent it, I’ll tell you. If I choose not to agent you, you should know that I’m not judging you or your writing, or even your idea. I am saying that it’s just not right for me. Please also keep in mind that it is my strict policy not to give feedback when I pass on a book. What isn’t right for me may be perfect for another agent.

There are a few areas I particularly like in non-fiction: popular reference, business, self-help/psychology, humor, biography and current affairs, women’s interest, cookbooks, spiritual, multicultural, parenting, anything to do with games, movies, chronologies. In the past year I’ve sold over 15 poker books and authored three, the first of which, Secrets the Pros Won’t Tell You About Winning Hold’Em Poker, was published by Kensington in March 2006.  In fiction, I particularly like mysteries.  I’m always looking for a bestseller in any category.

Some of the genres I generally will not represent include poetry, thrillers, westerns, romances, occult, science fiction, fantasy, children’s and young adult.”

Sheree is the author, co-author, and editor of more than thirty books, including the best-selling The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Published (Pearson), now in its fifth edition. She has written articles for a variety of magazines and newspapers, including The Writer, which featured Sheree’s cover story “The Six Secrets of Getting Published.”

Some of the genres I generally will not represent include poetry, thrillers, westerns, romances, occult, science fiction, fantasy, children’s and young adult. Series of Poker Ladies’ Circuit Event at the Showboat in Atlantic City in December 2005. Sheree won a seat in the famous World Series of Poker two times.

Sheree will be taking pitches at the 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™, Saturday March 24 (advance registration required).

To read more on Sheree, click on the following links:

• Home:  http://shereebee.com
• Agency Website:  http://users.rcn.com/sheree.interport/

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     Article submitted by Dawn Sooy

A native of Eastern Pennsylvania, Dawn has plenty of experience with the best and worst four seasons have to offer. Armed with a Computer Science degree, she worked in the tech industry until 2012. She’s married to a great guy and between them, have four children, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. As an animal lover, she volunteers at the local animal shelter, sneaking in treats for the four-legged residents.

Too full of energy to even consider a rocking chair, with an insatiable itch to write, Dawn published six short stories, the most recent, “Love Knows No Boundaries,” featured in the GLVWG anthology, Write Here – Write Now. She is currently working on a full-length novel titled, “From The Darkness,” scheduled for publication in early 2018, with plans to publish a horror anthology later in the year.

Dawn is a multitasker with the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, fulfilling the duties of Secretary when needed and Conference Chair for the 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™.

You can find Dawn on:

• Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DawnMSooyAuthor/?pnref=lhc
• Website: http://dwstrange.com/dawns%20world/