I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate these newsletters, Kate! Each one either answers a question I have or gives me something to think about that I hadn't thought to think. Agents are often elusive and mysterious beings to the unpublished writer, and it's refreshing to have some honest insight into the publishing world.
Hi Kate, If I was looking for an agent, I would pick you as you sound straight forward and honest. I'm sure the profession is full of hype and luck, but at the end of the day, what I would look for is honesty. Of course it's nice to be offered a lot of money, but at the end of the day, your book being published by an authentic agent or publisher is what counts. You would be on my wish list. Josephine Nolan
Ditto this - the quality of the relationship between author and agent seems to me to be the most crucial, and should be well-steeped in honest communication
I’m less worried about the advance than the marketing push. I feel like the idea of a big advance comes with the expectation that the publisher will give that book more publicity, exposure, and distribution in order to maximize their chances of getting that money back.
First, thanks for "baring your soul" and giving wannabe authors some sense of reality as we dip toes into the dark, mysterious waters of publishing. Second, thanks for your recemt visit to Pitch to Published. Your blend of reality and encouragement made us all fall in love. Be prepared to be inundated with P2P queries! Got mine all written and ready to go.
I'm writing a book. It's an unconventional take on a familiar concept. My guess is I'll choose to self-publish. I checked out the existing book that I think is closest to mine. It was published in September 2023. The author received a six-figure advance for the book after an auction with six publishing houses. I thought "I must be writing on a hot topic! Maybe I should try and get a big payout from a publisher." The book is now lower than 550,000 on Amazon's best-seller ranking. Of course, I don't have all the details, but if I had to guess, I would think the sales are a disappointment to the publisher. I have no idea what to make of the combination of the author's advance and what seems to be a relatively low number of sales. I read the book and think it's very good.
Not sure what to make of any of this but in my mind, I'm back to my plan to self-publish.
I can only suppose—not being in your shoes—the same rules apply to agents as they do to authors: be true to who you are. Oh sure, there are myriad choices that can be made, but the truth is one needs to live with one's choices long after the "inciting incident" prompting that choice is made. Bravo for keeping yourself in check 👌.
There’s a lot of FOMO in this business and it’s crucial to keep our eyes on the road we have created, the one that’s working. Great piece, very reassuring!
Thanks for your common sense and honesty. TBH, I'll be happy with any deal I get. Life is too short to get bound up in 'what ifs'. We do what we love and hopefully, it's appreciated. A lot or a little, it's all good.
This was the discourse online a few weeks ago - it’s exciting for a big splashy debut but if it flops…what happens to your career? I think slow and steady would be my preference! And maybe something splashy down the line 😄
Another set of great insights. Because I'm in the luxury position of daydreaming about an agent, rather than being confronted with the messy reality of an actual person (this statement is me attempting a re-frame), I think less about the Big Bucks and more about creating a sustained editorial relationship. Like an agent who is first & foremost a brilliant reader (and then of course, all the book clubs and Hollywood come a-running...I have a very rich inner life, fwiw).
I have yet to publish (or find an agent for) my adventure travel memoir, but I so appreciate the perspective you share in posts like this. It's grounding to know how deals may or may not be right for different writers. Thank you.
I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate these newsletters, Kate! Each one either answers a question I have or gives me something to think about that I hadn't thought to think. Agents are often elusive and mysterious beings to the unpublished writer, and it's refreshing to have some honest insight into the publishing world.
Hi Kate, If I was looking for an agent, I would pick you as you sound straight forward and honest. I'm sure the profession is full of hype and luck, but at the end of the day, what I would look for is honesty. Of course it's nice to be offered a lot of money, but at the end of the day, your book being published by an authentic agent or publisher is what counts. You would be on my wish list. Josephine Nolan
Ditto this - the quality of the relationship between author and agent seems to me to be the most crucial, and should be well-steeped in honest communication
I’m less worried about the advance than the marketing push. I feel like the idea of a big advance comes with the expectation that the publisher will give that book more publicity, exposure, and distribution in order to maximize their chances of getting that money back.
First, thanks for "baring your soul" and giving wannabe authors some sense of reality as we dip toes into the dark, mysterious waters of publishing. Second, thanks for your recemt visit to Pitch to Published. Your blend of reality and encouragement made us all fall in love. Be prepared to be inundated with P2P queries! Got mine all written and ready to go.
I'm writing a book. It's an unconventional take on a familiar concept. My guess is I'll choose to self-publish. I checked out the existing book that I think is closest to mine. It was published in September 2023. The author received a six-figure advance for the book after an auction with six publishing houses. I thought "I must be writing on a hot topic! Maybe I should try and get a big payout from a publisher." The book is now lower than 550,000 on Amazon's best-seller ranking. Of course, I don't have all the details, but if I had to guess, I would think the sales are a disappointment to the publisher. I have no idea what to make of the combination of the author's advance and what seems to be a relatively low number of sales. I read the book and think it's very good.
Not sure what to make of any of this but in my mind, I'm back to my plan to self-publish.
One book does not a case study make. :) Either way, self-publishing can be a great way to go!
I can only suppose—not being in your shoes—the same rules apply to agents as they do to authors: be true to who you are. Oh sure, there are myriad choices that can be made, but the truth is one needs to live with one's choices long after the "inciting incident" prompting that choice is made. Bravo for keeping yourself in check 👌.
There’s a lot of FOMO in this business and it’s crucial to keep our eyes on the road we have created, the one that’s working. Great piece, very reassuring!
And now that song is stuck in my head :)
Thanks for your common sense and honesty. TBH, I'll be happy with any deal I get. Life is too short to get bound up in 'what ifs'. We do what we love and hopefully, it's appreciated. A lot or a little, it's all good.
This was the discourse online a few weeks ago - it’s exciting for a big splashy debut but if it flops…what happens to your career? I think slow and steady would be my preference! And maybe something splashy down the line 😄
Thanks. This is so informative.
This was a great read! Thank you for writing and sharing. xx
Another set of great insights. Because I'm in the luxury position of daydreaming about an agent, rather than being confronted with the messy reality of an actual person (this statement is me attempting a re-frame), I think less about the Big Bucks and more about creating a sustained editorial relationship. Like an agent who is first & foremost a brilliant reader (and then of course, all the book clubs and Hollywood come a-running...I have a very rich inner life, fwiw).
I have yet to publish (or find an agent for) my adventure travel memoir, but I so appreciate the perspective you share in posts like this. It's grounding to know how deals may or may not be right for different writers. Thank you.
I think you sound like the kind of grounded (or getting there) agent most of us need