Author vs Publisher - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T01:00:00Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/author-vs-publisher?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A321239&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks for the feedback, Jon.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-19:537324:Comment:3225282011-11-19T04:23:03.455ZJames Fouchehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JamesFouche
<p>Thanks for the feedback, Jon.</p>
<p>You set a high standard to which authors should measure all agents. Any idea which agents fall in this description you have given? Some names would be appreciated.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I need to start approaching agents soon. I urgently need someone overseas as the distance between SA and USA/UK is making it very difficult to do anything.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>j</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback, Jon.</p>
<p>You set a high standard to which authors should measure all agents. Any idea which agents fall in this description you have given? Some names would be appreciated.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I need to start approaching agents soon. I urgently need someone overseas as the distance between SA and USA/UK is making it very difficult to do anything.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>j</p> All of that is true, Jon, but…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-16:537324:Comment:3222462011-11-16T17:46:31.725ZBenjamin Sobieckhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
<p>All of that is true, Jon, but first you need an agent. I may have benefited from having one, but I'll never know. Queried a pile of them, and they weren't interested in representing me. This makes sense from their angle, because at the time I probably couldn't help them make squat off a 15% commission. But an agent is what I needed at the time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Makes me wish there could be a flat-fee service for agents. That's a pipe dream, though. It'd be wrought with…</p>
<p>All of that is true, Jon, but first you need an agent. I may have benefited from having one, but I'll never know. Queried a pile of them, and they weren't interested in representing me. This makes sense from their angle, because at the time I probably couldn't help them make squat off a 15% commission. But an agent is what I needed at the time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Makes me wish there could be a flat-fee service for agents. That's a pipe dream, though. It'd be wrought with cronies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fortunately, my fiction is with a small publisher that offers a generous revenue split. I don't think most authors get that lucky, though. They wind up like James.</p> Agents know lots of editors.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-16:537324:Comment:3222442011-11-16T17:31:31.907ZJon Loomishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonLoomis
Agents know lots of editors. They know what those editors are buying, and what they can be persuaded to buy. They know how the publishing industry works, what kinds of books are marketable and which are tougher sells. They know what the standard contract provisions are, what other authors of similar books are getting, which rights to retain, and when to fight for better terms. A good agent will actively negotiate on your behalf beyond basic matters like advances, royalties and print runs. A…
Agents know lots of editors. They know what those editors are buying, and what they can be persuaded to buy. They know how the publishing industry works, what kinds of books are marketable and which are tougher sells. They know what the standard contract provisions are, what other authors of similar books are getting, which rights to retain, and when to fight for better terms. A good agent will actively negotiate on your behalf beyond basic matters like advances, royalties and print runs. A good agent will work to sell foreign rights, film/TV, audiobook, and other rights you may not even be aware of. A good agent will also read your manuscript and help you make it ready for the market. None of that is stuff I can do myself, and only the basic contractual details can be handled by an IP attorney (a good agent may also be an IP attorney, and will certainly have one or more on retainer). I wouldn't try to sell a book to a huge corporation without the help of a good agent; even reputable small presses will try to get the best possible deal for themselves at the author's expense. That's business. Ah, but agents also sell othe…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-05:537324:Comment:3213242011-11-05T14:25:03.285ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Ah, but agents also sell other rights. And they cannot simply be uploaded on Kindle.
Ah, but agents also sell other rights. And they cannot simply be uploaded on Kindle. Like everyone says, move on.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-05:537324:Comment:3213362011-11-05T12:08:37.970ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
<p>Like everyone says, move on. Write the next one. The world is full of writers like us who made early mistakes. Just don't let this one error be the end of you.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Like everyone says, move on. Write the next one. The world is full of writers like us who made early mistakes. Just don't let this one error be the end of you.</p>
<p> </p> Write that second novel and n…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-04:537324:Comment:3212732011-11-04T16:32:19.610ZBenjamin Sobieckhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
<p>Write that second novel and never look back. My first novel was contracted with Shadow Line Press, which wasn't vanity, but also wasn't run by people who had a clue about publishing. They pushed the release of my novel back SEVEN months. So I jumped ship from them and landed at Trestle Press, where I am very happy and work with a great crew.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There's no shame in my experience or yours. We were naive. In the end, the experience will make us both better authors. Sometimes what…</p>
<p>Write that second novel and never look back. My first novel was contracted with Shadow Line Press, which wasn't vanity, but also wasn't run by people who had a clue about publishing. They pushed the release of my novel back SEVEN months. So I jumped ship from them and landed at Trestle Press, where I am very happy and work with a great crew.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There's no shame in my experience or yours. We were naive. In the end, the experience will make us both better authors. Sometimes what comes after the bad stuff is better than you expected in the first place. Just remember this one golden rule the next time around:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Never pay for anything. Ever."</p> I agree completely. Don't tru…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-04:537324:Comment:3212712011-11-04T16:31:25.801ZDavid DeLeehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DavidDeLee
<p>I agree completely. Don't trust the publishers to do right by you, but I disagree an agent can do any better. I suggest getting a good intellectual property attorney to review and negotiate your contract. They are more knowledgeable about contracts than agents and will do it for a flat fee, not a 15 % commission.</p>
<p>Just my opinion</p>
<p>David DeLee</p>
<p>Fatal Destiny - a Grace deHaviland novel</p>
<p>I agree completely. Don't trust the publishers to do right by you, but I disagree an agent can do any better. I suggest getting a good intellectual property attorney to review and negotiate your contract. They are more knowledgeable about contracts than agents and will do it for a flat fee, not a 15 % commission.</p>
<p>Just my opinion</p>
<p>David DeLee</p>
<p>Fatal Destiny - a Grace deHaviland novel</p> Unfortunately, I don't think…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-04:537324:Comment:3212662011-11-04T15:24:43.797ZBrian Hoffmanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BrianHoffman
Unfortunately, I don't think there is much you can do. Like others are saying, move on write the next book.
Unfortunately, I don't think there is much you can do. Like others are saying, move on write the next book. If you're self-publishing, yo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-04:537324:Comment:3212562011-11-04T15:19:13.314ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
If you're self-publishing, you don't need an agent. If you want a publisher's contract you need an agent to watch out for your rights. Do not trust publishers.
If you're self-publishing, you don't need an agent. If you want a publisher's contract you need an agent to watch out for your rights. Do not trust publishers. I also agree, chalk this up t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-11-04:537324:Comment:3212442011-11-04T13:46:32.880ZDavid DeLeehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DavidDeLee
I also agree, chalk this up to a bad experience and move on. Write the next book, but forget the agent hunt too.(just another middle (wo)man to get in your way and take your money for things you can do yourself). Write the next book. Research publishers yourself and submit directly. If its good enough they will buy it. If you get a contract, like IJ said, hire a good IP attorney to go over the contract before you sign.<br />
Or put it up on amazon, bn.com & smashwords yourself.<br />
Good luck.<br />
David…
I also agree, chalk this up to a bad experience and move on. Write the next book, but forget the agent hunt too.(just another middle (wo)man to get in your way and take your money for things you can do yourself). Write the next book. Research publishers yourself and submit directly. If its good enough they will buy it. If you get a contract, like IJ said, hire a good IP attorney to go over the contract before you sign.<br />
Or put it up on amazon, bn.com & smashwords yourself.<br />
Good luck.<br />
David DeLee<br />
Fatal Destiny - a Grace deHaviland novel