Fulfilling the manuscript wish list and having the "spark" is the same difference between a corpse and living body. All of the parts are there, but only one is alive.
one takeaway from this is do not use the MSWL as an idea generator for what book you should write and try to pigeonhole into one specific agent's wishes/needs, rather use MSWL as something that, if you already happen to have that type of book they're looking for, then you use the MSWL to target that agent. But don't write an entire book based on someone's MSWL thinking it'll magically get you into that agent's good graces cus the high percentage chance is still that the agent will not accept it and now you're stuck with a possibly really niche book/idea that most other agents may not want either
We have all seen aspiring authors getting defensive (and even conspirational) about rejections. It's good to hear from you what your working methods are and how you make your choices. Great video!
He/She may love it but think it won't sell. She/he may hate it but know others will love it and that it will sell. Reminds me too much of my first sales job, radio ads. The potential customers used to say they hated my radio station. But...your customers??? It's business, folks! You guys rock! Enjoy your videos. Always very helpful. Very important for people to know you seek a book you can sell, and that MSWL may not always help. You can muddy up a good query letter. Jessica, thank you for the thumbs-up on my query letter despite not choosing me. Respect! And James. Really? You are THAT young? :-)
There’s been a conversation in a Facebook group about traditional v self publishing. A woman said once you sign with an agent and go with a company “the book is no longer yours.” I don’t believe that; I want the working relationship and help. I plan to query James.
You guys both scare the hell out of me and give me great hope. I have just started the editing stage of my first book. I thank you for your videos because there were many times that I questioned is it worthy of publication. Your encouragement has given me the push to go for it. Thanks for your advice on how to get it out there.
Thank you for your clarification on agents falling in love with a book. I’ve seen agents say this then go on to sell books like the history of canker sores. Not saying they couldn’t fall in love with that type of book (especially if it’s well-written) but sometimes I wondered about that statement…
Is... is that a real book? Anyway. Sometimes, our clients will bring us titles we didn't seek out or offer representation on. If we can sell them, great!
"Is this something I can sell?" is (to me) the main reason agents pass on books. As a writer, I don't take this personally. I would rather have a pass than get an offer from an agent who has no idea how they'll sell the book, but they "love" it so much they feel compelled to offer representation.
I am very much enjoying your conversations! Thank you! I would love if you would talk about... I don't really know how to phrase it. So, I know these days a lot of advances are low. Like 10k. And agents get 15% or thereabouts. So that's $1500 per sale. When you read the query and request a full, and then you read the full -- say it takes 10 hours. That already has dug into the $1500. If you value reading time at $25/hr, that whittles your commission down to $1250. Writing up 3 pages of notes would take 2 hours. Now you're down to $1200. Do you think like this? I'm not an agent, but I've done freelance work in the past, and this sort of math definitely factors into the decisions I make. So if a book has too large a wordcount, that's more hours you have to commit to reading and editing. I guess I would love an episode where you talk about the calculations you have to make during the assessment phase. Yes, of course you have to love the story, but we still live in a world where time equals money, and this also has to be a factor in your decisions. I guess I would love some discussion of the mental math you have to make when you think about time, money, wordcount, editing, reading time, sale. Thanks!
The benefits of self-publishing: it is not all about the money or strictly what will sell. Self-publishing puts the author in control of writing what he/she chooses to write REGARDLESS of whether or not it fits the market. For me, publishing a book has always been 100 percent about writing the book for me and not my audience. It is only a bonus if the book sells and appeals to my audience. I have nothing against traditionally published books or literary agents but I do see a downside in everything being geared towards book sales rather that just writing for the sheer joy of it, regardless of whether or not it sells. I have 16 self-published books including a children's literature series and some of the books that have not done well sales-wise, are my favorite books I've ever written and will continue to be. But again, more power to literary agents for taking authors' works to the next level and helping them sell many thousands of copies of their books. I just honestly have very different goals as a self-published author. I am very fortunate to work as a writer for my day job so even if I never quit that side hustle and continue to publish books that aren't best-sellers, I will still always be proud of them. Remember, some of the greatest books to have ever been published were never best sellers. The public face of publishing puts authors, unfortunately, in the position of having to shift their style as a writer towards something that will be easily marketable. Still, I must admit, I have read many fabulous books that were traditionally published. I'm not implying that the authors of said books were not authentic or true to themselves in order to secure a contract with a publisher, but I will always stand in favor of being a one-woman stand when it comes to my writing. :)
Is there such a thing as hiring an agent to read your full book just for advice on how best to acquire representation for it, even if that agent isn't the right fit?
Conferences will often offer feedback. There are some agents who do freelance editing, but typically they will not sign you for that book if they take you on as a client.
@@BookEndsLiterary That's very interesting. I asked because I've often wondered if a book editor has ever changed the suggestions of a literary agent, or do book editors tend to always keep everything a literary agent wants to make? Is there ever a difference of opinion between a book editor and a literary agent? And so, how should an author deal with it?
Where can I send my submissions, I’ve recently had three offers for my manuscript from vanity publishers but finding an agent is next to impossible in the uk, I’d rather have representation than go alone! Any advice would be incredibly helpful.
Go to query tracker/publishers weekly and reedsy to find legitimate agents and publishers. Stay away from vanity presses. You should never have to pay a publisher.
Thank you for your kind reply and for all of these educational videos helping many into the writing/publishing world. I also find many websites charging for agents numbers! I truly love how writing has connected me to many amazing people all around the world.
Fulfilling the manuscript wish list and having the "spark" is the same difference between a corpse and living body. All of the parts are there, but only one is alive.
Ikr
Spot on, Jessica, regarding viewer reaction to the "I wasn't alive in the 80s" comment!
one takeaway from this is do not use the MSWL as an idea generator for what book you should write and try to pigeonhole into one specific agent's wishes/needs, rather use MSWL as something that, if you already happen to have that type of book they're looking for, then you use the MSWL to target that agent. But don't write an entire book based on someone's MSWL thinking it'll magically get you into that agent's good graces cus the high percentage chance is still that the agent will not accept it and now you're stuck with a possibly really niche book/idea that most other agents may not want either
We have all seen aspiring authors getting defensive (and even conspirational) about rejections. It's good to hear from you what your working methods are and how you make your choices. Great video!
He/She may love it but think it won't sell. She/he may hate it but know others will love it and that it will sell. Reminds me too much of my first sales job, radio ads. The potential customers used to say they hated my radio station. But...your customers??? It's business, folks! You guys rock! Enjoy your videos. Always very helpful. Very important for people to know you seek a book you can sell, and that MSWL may not always help. You can muddy up a good query letter. Jessica, thank you for the thumbs-up on my query letter despite not choosing me. Respect! And James. Really? You are THAT young? :-)
There’s been a conversation in a Facebook group about traditional v self publishing. A woman said once you sign with an agent and go with a company “the book is no longer yours.” I don’t believe that; I want the working relationship and help. I plan to query James.
You guys both scare the hell out of me and give me great hope. I have just started the editing stage of my first book. I thank you for your videos because there were many times that I questioned is it worthy of publication. Your encouragement has given me the push to go for it. Thanks for your advice on how to get it out there.
Thank you for watching & good luck!
Thank you for your clarification on agents falling in love with a book. I’ve seen agents say this then go on to sell books like the history of canker sores. Not saying they couldn’t fall in love with that type of book (especially if it’s well-written) but sometimes I wondered about that statement…
Is... is that a real book? Anyway. Sometimes, our clients will bring us titles we didn't seek out or offer representation on. If we can sell them, great!
Great video! Really appreciate the honest and insightful conversation.
When James said he wasn't alive in the 80s... I'm so old! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I like your honesty.
"Is this something I can sell?" is (to me) the main reason agents pass on books. As a writer, I don't take this personally. I would rather have a pass than get an offer from an agent who has no idea how they'll sell the book, but they "love" it so much they feel compelled to offer representation.
Precisely. Even if the reasoning is more specific, it always chalks up to this.
Is there ever an occasion when you are questioning a manuscript and pass it along to another agent in your agency?
I’ve had this happen to me, twice. One agent recommended me to her colleagues, another passed the ms to a colleague. Not at Bookends though!
I'm curious about this too.
This has happened to me, too. An agent I queried passed my manuscript along to others in the agency so it happens at times.
We do this ALL the time.
😃 thank you!
Thank you for the great videos.
Thank you for watching!
I am very much enjoying your conversations! Thank you! I would love if you would talk about... I don't really know how to phrase it. So, I know these days a lot of advances are low. Like 10k. And agents get 15% or thereabouts. So that's $1500 per sale. When you read the query and request a full, and then you read the full -- say it takes 10 hours. That already has dug into the $1500. If you value reading time at $25/hr, that whittles your commission down to $1250. Writing up 3 pages of notes would take 2 hours. Now you're down to $1200. Do you think like this? I'm not an agent, but I've done freelance work in the past, and this sort of math definitely factors into the decisions I make. So if a book has too large a wordcount, that's more hours you have to commit to reading and editing. I guess I would love an episode where you talk about the calculations you have to make during the assessment phase. Yes, of course you have to love the story, but we still live in a world where time equals money, and this also has to be a factor in your decisions. I guess I would love some discussion of the mental math you have to make when you think about time, money, wordcount, editing, reading time, sale. Thanks!
The benefits of self-publishing: it is not all about the money or strictly what will sell. Self-publishing puts the author in control of writing what he/she chooses to write REGARDLESS of whether or not it fits the market. For me, publishing a book has always been 100 percent about writing the book for me and not my audience. It is only a bonus if the book sells and appeals to my audience. I have nothing against traditionally published books or literary agents but I do see a downside in everything being geared towards book sales rather that just writing for the sheer joy of it, regardless of whether or not it sells. I have 16 self-published books including a children's literature series and some of the books that have not done well sales-wise, are my favorite books I've ever written and will continue to be.
But again, more power to literary agents for taking authors' works to the next level and helping them sell many thousands of copies of their books. I just honestly have very different goals as a self-published author. I am very fortunate to work as a writer for my day job so even if I never quit that side hustle and continue to publish books that aren't best-sellers, I will still always be proud of them. Remember, some of the greatest books to have ever been published were never best sellers. The public face of publishing puts authors, unfortunately, in the position of having to shift their style as a writer towards something that will be easily marketable.
Still, I must admit, I have read many fabulous books that were traditionally published. I'm not implying that the authors of said books were not authentic or true to themselves in order to secure a contract with a publisher, but I will always stand in favor of being a one-woman stand when it comes to my writing. :)
The "Spark" = Content + Execution + Character Voice + Narrative Voice. Does this sound right?
Is there such a thing as hiring an agent to read your full book just for advice on how best to acquire representation for it, even if that agent isn't the right fit?
Conferences will often offer feedback. There are some agents who do freelance editing, but typically they will not sign you for that book if they take you on as a client.
@@BookEndsLiterary Thanks!
Could you do a video on the differences between an agent revision/edit vs an editors? Or, is there even a difference?
Same process, different editor, usually.
@@BookEndsLiterary That's very interesting. I asked because I've often wondered if a book editor has ever changed the suggestions of a literary agent, or do book editors tend to always keep everything a literary agent wants to make? Is there ever a difference of opinion between a book editor and a literary agent? And so, how should an author deal with it?
@@jamescaldwell2357 This is an excellent question, particularly when we think about just how “subjective” editing and critiquing a book can be.
Where can I send my submissions, I’ve recently had three offers for my manuscript from vanity publishers but finding an agent is next to impossible in the uk, I’d rather have representation than go alone!
Any advice would be incredibly helpful.
Go to query tracker/publishers weekly and reedsy to find legitimate agents and publishers. Stay away from vanity presses. You should never have to pay a publisher.
Thank you for your kind reply and for all of these educational videos helping many into the writing/publishing world.
I also find many websites charging for agents numbers! I truly love how writing has connected me to many amazing people all around the world.
'A million things we are looking for.' Lol. Bet these two never read a submission.
Hears "I wasn't alive in the eighties" and scratches him off her list. You won't get my jokes:)
LOL