http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention Opinions. Commentary. News. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:23:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23174 Tim Jackson Thu, 12 Oct 2006 23:16:56 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23174 Jonathan, love that "not your mom" part... awesome and true. (When I showed up in the New York Times article, my mom went out and bought every copy she could find and gave them to anybody who would stand still long enough, "that's my son!") Moms are great publicists, but not the best agents sometimes. Jonathan, love that “not your mom” part… awesome and true.
(When I showed up in the New York Times article, my mom went out and bought every copy she could find and gave them to anybody who would stand still long enough, “that’s my son!”)
Moms are great publicists, but not the best agents sometimes.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23173 Jonathan Kranz Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:20:47 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23173 See David's third paragraph above about why agents are useful. I'll add another reason: they're not your mom. If your proposal sucks, they'll tell you so that you don't waste time and money. See David’s third paragraph above about why agents are useful. I’ll add another reason: they’re not your mom. If your proposal sucks, they’ll tell you so that you don’t waste time and money.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23172 David Meerman Scott Thu, 12 Oct 2006 18:07:06 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23172 Wow -- what a fun conversation. Thanks again Jonathan for writing this up. This was my third book. First one Eyeball Wars: a novel of dot-com intrigue I self published. Second one, Cashing in with Content: How innovative marketers use digital information to turn browsers into buyers I went direct to a publisher (CyberAge books). Now I used an agent for The New Rules of Marketing and PR. So, as an author, I have had a variety of experiences. Next time around I would absolutely use an agent. They have the relationships, they do the hard work, they are much better negotiators, and most importantly (for me at least), they advise on getting the proposal into the best shape possible. Wow — what a fun conversation. Thanks again Jonathan for writing this up.
This was my third book. First one Eyeball Wars: a novel of dot-com intrigue I self published. Second one, Cashing in with Content: How innovative marketers use digital information to turn browsers into buyers I went direct to a publisher (CyberAge books). Now I used an agent for The New Rules of Marketing and PR. So, as an author, I have had a variety of experiences.
Next time around I would absolutely use an agent. They have the relationships, they do the hard work, they are much better negotiators, and most importantly (for me at least), they advise on getting the proposal into the best shape possible.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23171 Jonathan Kranz Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:36:10 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23171 Good comments all. About agents: I didn't use one and I still got my book published. But I knew more than most people do about putting together a winning book proposal, so I already started with an edge. I also suspect that had I retained an agent, I would have gotten a better contract and a higher advance. So no, an agent isn't required. But they sure can help. Also, let's not lose sight of the real lesson behind David's success -- it's not about agents and it's not even about blogs, per se. It's about selling the book before it's even formally written. Agents and blogging are tools that can help, but they're not the only ones. E-books, public speaking, broadcasts, podcasts, and other methods can all contribute to the "pre-sales" strategy. The important point is to have one. Good comments all.
About agents: I didn’t use one and I still got my book published. But I knew more than most people do about putting together a winning book proposal, so I already started with an edge.
I also suspect that had I retained an agent, I would have gotten a better contract and a higher advance.
So no, an agent isn’t required. But they sure can help.
Also, let’s not lose sight of the real lesson behind David’s success — it’s not about agents and it’s not even about blogs, per se. It’s about selling the book before it’s even formally written. Agents and blogging are tools that can help, but they’re not the only ones. E-books, public speaking, broadcasts, podcasts, and other methods can all contribute to the “pre-sales” strategy. The important point is to have one.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23170 Lewis Green Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:59:31 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23170 Jim, Good question regarding agents. Maybe the following can help answer your question. 1. Good agents have good relationships and excellent credibility with a variety of publishers. 2. First-time authors usually don't have these kinds of relationships or credibility, so their queries never make it to an editor. They lie in a slush pile forever or, if very lucky, an intern may read your query. 3. Good agents help us tweak our gueries and advise us on our cover letters and stuff such as our marketing strategies. 4. Good agents assign an editor to our MS so it can be in great shape when the publisher receives it. 5. Even published authors (and free-lance writers) benefit from an agent's expertise and publisher relationships. 6. Not only did I benefit from the above; my agent got me a better contract than I would have gotten on my own, even though this is my 5th book. 7. And he placed me with a publisher who cares about my book and won't simply act as the printer. Ultimately, however, unless you are Bill Clinton, the publishing and the success or failure of your book once published rests on your shoulders. Jim,
Good question regarding agents. Maybe the following can help answer your question.
1. Good agents have good relationships and excellent credibility with a variety of publishers.
2. First-time authors usually don’t have these kinds of relationships or credibility, so their queries never make it to an editor. They lie in a slush pile forever or, if very lucky, an intern may read your query.
3. Good agents help us tweak our gueries and advise us on our cover letters and stuff such as our marketing strategies.
4. Good agents assign an editor to our MS so it can be in great shape when the publisher receives it.
5. Even published authors (and free-lance writers) benefit from an agent’s expertise and publisher relationships.
6. Not only did I benefit from the above; my agent got me a better contract than I would have gotten on my own, even though this is my 5th book.
7. And he placed me with a publisher who cares about my book and won’t simply act as the printer.
Ultimately, however, unless you are Bill Clinton, the publishing and the success or failure of your book once published rests on your shoulders.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23169 Tim Jackson Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:39:00 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23169 Great post and so timely. We just had the discussion about what good blogs could do for books and authors... perfect example of how to use a blog to sell a book- at least to the publisher. Now the publisher will expect results, but this is certainly worth watching. If the book does well, I predict we'll see a lot more savvy authors doing exactly what David has done. Awesome! And, thanks for the mention of my previous post Lewis. I guess I better hurry up and get that poetry book completed and online fast! Great post and so timely. We just had the discussion about what good blogs could do for books and authors… perfect example of how to use a blog to sell a book- at least to the publisher. Now the publisher will expect results, but this is certainly worth watching. If the book does well, I predict we’ll see a lot more savvy authors doing exactly what David has done. Awesome!
And, thanks for the mention of my previous post Lewis.
I guess I better hurry up and get that poetry book completed and online fast!

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23168 Jim Kukral Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:31:09 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23168 I often wonder why agents are needed at all then? If the publisher isn't going to sign you up without you doing a lot of the work, what's the point of having an agent? Just for the relationships? Note: I have nothing against agents. I simply can't figure out why they deserve that % if I'm doing most of the work? I often wonder why agents are needed at all then? If the publisher isn’t going to sign you up without you doing a lot of the work, what’s the point of having an agent? Just for the relationships?
Note: I have nothing against agents. I simply can’t figure out why they deserve that % if I’m doing most of the work?

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23167 bill Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:21:35 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23167 This is sound advice that can go into many different realms. This is sound advice that can go into many different realms.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-23166 Lewis Green Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:40:20 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/the-real-way-to-attract-a-publishers-attention/#comment-23166 Jonathan, Well said. This goes along with Tim's post that asks "Is Marketing a Four-Letter Word?. I have sat on both sides of the aisle, author and book editor. If the writer does not or cannot describe his work's market and at least a few marketing strategies, the query likely ends up in the "forget it" pile. Publishers are not non-profits and as the author, I am in the best position to know who will buy my book. Jonathan,
Well said. This goes along with Tim’s post that asks “Is Marketing a Four-Letter Word?. I have sat on both sides of the aisle, author and book editor. If the writer does not or cannot describe his work’s market and at least a few marketing strategies, the query likely ends up in the “forget it” pile. Publishers are not non-profits and as the author, I am in the best position to know who will buy my book.

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