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Topic: advice re: shopping around 1st book
| Author | Message |
| gregp22 | Posted – 2/17/2008 1:02:40 AM | show profile i'm going to start shopping around my 1st book (i've written for quite a few mags/sites before), w/o the aid of an agent. i have a few publications i know of that do not require a writer be represented by an agent, and was wondering if any published authors out there have advice as to how i should go about this. i already have a proposal all ready to go. should i send the proposal out to several publishers all at once, or do it 1 at a time? what are the pros and cons? |
| gregp22 | Posted – 2/17/2008 1:08:29 AM | show profile forgot to mention, yes, i do alredy have a lawyer w/ a publishing background :) |
| aj | Posted – 2/17/2008 8:30:19 AM | show profile Try Getting an Agent First If you have a solid proposal with good credentials, there's no reason not to try to get an agent. This is the best way in to established publishers and you'll be protected and (hopefully) have someone working for you the whole time rather than fight an uphill battle yourself. If you don't get the response you're looking for from the agent, then you can try yourself via the publishers you mention that don't require agents. But any good agent should be able to get you in the door to both places so it's worth sending your proposal to them first. ------ Dream Big. Pay the Rent. www.makingitinthecity.com |
| Village Gal | Posted – 2/17/2008 9:16:40 AM | show profile I totally agree with AJ, the poster above. If you get an agent, he or she will do the work of shopping it around and you will have a better chance of landing a good sale. Why have you decided not to look for an agent?? |
| gregp22 | Posted – 2/17/2008 9:42:59 AM | show profile i already tried working w/ an agent, and it didn't work out - so now i'm on my own. i know that there are some publishers that only speak w/ authors if they have an agent, but i have several good contacts at a few publishers that do not require an author to be represented by an agent. i feel if i can do it on my own, at least i won't have to fork over the $ to an agent (and again, i won't be signing any contracts w/o showing them to my lawyer first)... |
| stinking prague | Posted – 2/17/2008 1:54:18 PM | show profile you need to explain what kind of book it is. and you should explain what you meant by having already worked with an agent. knowing these things would make a lot of difference. I'm curious why you skated over these in describing your situation. It suggests you're being a little too selective in giving information. hiding sumpin? give us some facts and we'll try to help you |
| Village Gal | Posted – 2/17/2008 4:27:53 PM | show profile Gregg, what do you mean you tried working with an agent and it did not work out? were you signed? did you have a contract? or have you been unable to land an agent? yes, writers fork over 15% when agents sell our books but agents can get us a better deal, so it works out in the long run. |
| aj | Posted – 2/17/2008 7:53:31 PM | show profile Try to get another agent Agents, like people (actually...gasp...they are people!) have their own personalities so it may take you a bit to find someone with whom you click. Try submitting your query to a few different ones and get as many meetings as possible before giving up on agentdom altogether. In the end, you'll still get better representation and hopefully find someone you want to work with for future projects. Perhaps if you post your book genre you'll get some additional names of agents who work in that area. |
| stinking prague | Posted – 2/18/2008 9:20:03 AM | show profile Actually, having re-read your third entry, you suggest that you were paying the agent money. Well, if that's true, it shows you don't know squat about publishing or agents. maybe you should quit pretending that you're hot shit and go educate yourself in the business. It doesn't take very long. then come back here and lay your cards on the table, face up. |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 2/18/2008 11:08:19 AM | show profile aj's point is well taken. Like dating, not every agent is going to be a good fit for you. Are you confident your lawyer knows every possible wrinkle your contract, should you sell this book, will contain and how to mitigate it, change it or negotiate it? An agent also has an ongoing role if your book is bought, and you may well need him/her as the book move towards publication -- not just a lawyer who can review the contract. |
| foodlit | Posted – 2/18/2008 11:21:56 AM | show profile Stinking Prague, That was quite a nasty post...and it appears that YOU didn't read his post clearly. He doesn't say that he already paid his agent, he says will save money because he won't have to pay his agent. Big difference. However, he's very wrong. A good agent will make him more money and negotiate a much better contract. The agent will more than earn their 15%. Showing the contract to a lawyer will do nothing, unless they specialize in publishing law, and even then they aren't likely to be familar with the ins and outs of boilerplate contracts, and to know which things they can negotiate on and what they can't. You'll be taken much more seriously if you have an agent. It's not at all uncommon for people to not click with the first agent they sign on with. It's sort of like dating...you have to see which relationship works before you settle in for the long haul. Pam |
| aj | Posted – 2/18/2008 11:55:09 AM | show profile I agree with you, foodlit. I was surprised to read such an angry post to someone who was clearly looking for advice. Gregp...you'll find a lot of bitter people in this industry...mostly a result of those who have been burned. A post like this reinforces the need to find quality representation. If one doesn't work, try another...then another. Don't give up until you find exactly what you're looking for! |
| stinking prague | Posted – 2/18/2008 11:55:21 AM | show profile you're right, I was being nasty. It's hard giving someone serious answers when they present their information so guardedly, like he's much more intent on portraying himself as somebody who knows what's going on. We've all been in his position, but the better you present the information, the better we can help you. You all are right. A good agent will bring you a better deal. And true, greg, not all publishing houses require an agent. But the houses that pay you money up front and then pay royalties do require agents. my point is, stop posturing, pal. Give us the pertinent facts, don't hide it. |
| ortsib | Posted – 2/18/2008 12:40:28 PM | show profile | email poster advice re: shopping around 1st book Hi: I just want to give some moral support for deciding to go the un-agented route. My first two books were published unagented, and I am shopping a third. If you have an intellectual property lawyer who specializes in book contracts and is familiar with the boilerplates (I have one who is also a literary agent), then you're covered in terms of contract negotiation. There are advantages to having an agent, but you have to weigh the pluses and minuses and decide what is most advantageous for you. (I have worked at two publishing houses and for a literary agent in the past.) Make sure you are well read about contracts, too. There is no longer a taboo about multiple submissions. However, don't submit to every publisher there is. If it turns out that your proposal needs work, you can fix it and still have some houses left to submit to. I got this advice from a literary agent. (My father has *made a living* as an actor for 40 years, which most actors can't boast. He never had an agent.) |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 2/18/2008 3:35:50 PM | show profile Can you describe more what sorts of books you sold without an agent? I assume you did so (?) to save that 15% fee? Any other reason you decided not to use an agent? |
| aj | Posted – 2/18/2008 4:42:05 PM | show profile Great Advice for those with business Savvy Just want to tack on to previous post about self publishing that this can work if you have a good business sense. You will essentially be pitching, promoting and marketing your proposal yourself. If you don't have a strong sense of business, you should keep looking for an agent. ------ Dream Big. Pay the Rent. www.makingitinthecity.com |
| bjoconnorfla | Posted – 2/19/2008 11:26:10 AM | show profile Try this book -- very helpful: Insider's Guide To Getting An Agent by Lori Perkins. |
