Great video, as usual! The sub process can seem so mysterious. Speaking of the sub process, I'd love to see a video about how a client's relationship with their agent and editors changes as their career progresses. For example, even if there aren't option clauses in play, I've heard of authors getting to a point where they present manuscripts directly to editors they've worked with before. When does that happen and how does it work? Is this how people like Beth Ferry can have a billion books coming out because they've been able to skip the sub process? You guys rock!!
As I'm watching/listening to y'all, I'm remembering y'all's other communications about agents working with editors and how similar it is to a querying writer! TY📚
Insightful, and reiterates why agents perform such a crucial role in the publishing process-finding the right people to look at a book seems to me more art than science. You probably base your decisions on tons of factors. As James says, it’s a relationship business. You have to trust your agent’s instincts, knowledge of editors, and experience and not try to micromanage/interfere with the submission process.
Hello, love your videos! Long time watcher, second time question asker 😊 In instances where you sell a multiple book deal (and say at the time of the deal you’ve written the first book but not the second) how much time is generally granted for you to get that second book in to them? Is this timeline something which can be negotiated, or do you see pretty set times being offered? Can there a difference to this timeline when the second book is the next in the same series vs a completely separate standalone? Publishing timelines seem like they’re often 1-2 years long but I’m curious how much of that timeline is typically allotted to turning in that first draft. Many thanks!
Hi there! The contract will usually have the delivery date for the second book written in, but this can be negotiated! So it differs between publishers, genres, and also by author preferences. And even later, if the author determines they will have a hard time meeting their contracted delivery date, they can usually request an extension!
Tnx for the great video! I've got a question on the comp titles. I've read that it's best to compare your book to titles, not older than 5 years or so. Yet in my genre (fantasy) books are quite often long series, so how do you comp there? Can you compare with the latest installements of the series or still with the first one, no matter how old it is?
I love your videos!! Question, what about submitting books for different audiences simultaneously? My agent explained in terms of middle grade and young adult. What about adult and middle grade? Would that work? 😅
I have a question. I feel discouraged. Is creative writing dead? I’ve been at this for years and no matter how hard I work to improve, I’m always rejected. Am I a horrible writer? Is it worth it? I’m not the only writer that feels this way.
Please don't be discouraged. I think the hardest part about this industry (from a writer's perspective) is the timeline of everything. It's hard to keep going when you're in an industry full of rejections and long wait times, but sometimes it's just about having the right story ready at the right time. Jessica responded to a similar sentiment about querying hundreds of agents and never getting a request. Sometimes it is nothing wrong with you or your work. I will try to link the video here: www.tiktok.com/@bookends_literary/video/7419426117288758571
if an agent requests a full manuscript, and then opens up to queries a few weeks later without contacting me, does that mean she passed on mine...? I'm assuming it does, but I have no idea lol
Hi! If the agent was previously closed to queries, requests a full from you, and then reopens to queries, it probably just means they've caught up on their backlog of open queries! Full submissions are prioritized separately from queries (and in fact the agent QueryManager dashboard has a separate link just to an agent's waiting full submissions) so they could very well still be going through fulls even if they caught up on reading their open queries. You shouldn't consider their query inbox opening an indicator of anything regarding your full, so keep treating it the way you did before their inbox opened: if it's an agent who replies to all queries eventually, you're still under consideration until you receive a response. If it's an agent who has a "no response means no" policy, then you can set a date in your mind where you'll consider the query closed and move on. Hope this clarifies!
@@BookEndsLiterary it absolutely does, thank you so much! It was from a Bookends agent, and I know your agency have a policy where everybody gets a response, so Im hoping she’ll sign with me yet 🤩
Great video, as usual! The sub process can seem so mysterious. Speaking of the sub process, I'd love to see a video about how a client's relationship with their agent and editors changes as their career progresses. For example, even if there aren't option clauses in play, I've heard of authors getting to a point where they present manuscripts directly to editors they've worked with before. When does that happen and how does it work? Is this how people like Beth Ferry can have a billion books coming out because they've been able to skip the sub process? You guys rock!!
As I'm watching/listening to y'all, I'm remembering y'all's other communications about agents working with editors and how similar it is to a querying writer! TY📚
Insightful, and reiterates why agents perform such a crucial role in the publishing process-finding the right people to look at a book seems to me more art than science. You probably base your decisions on tons of factors. As James says, it’s a relationship business. You have to trust your agent’s instincts, knowledge of editors, and experience and not try to micromanage/interfere with the submission process.
Enjoy your podcast. A bright spot in the day! Thanks for what you do🙂
Hello, love your videos! Long time watcher, second time question asker 😊
In instances where you sell a multiple book deal (and say at the time of the deal you’ve written the first book but not the second) how much time is generally granted for you to get that second book in to them? Is this timeline something which can be negotiated, or do you see pretty set times being offered? Can there a difference to this timeline when the second book is the next in the same series vs a completely separate standalone? Publishing timelines seem like they’re often 1-2 years long but I’m curious how much of that timeline is typically allotted to turning in that first draft. Many thanks!
Hi there! The contract will usually have the delivery date for the second book written in, but this can be negotiated! So it differs between publishers, genres, and also by author preferences. And even later, if the author determines they will have a hard time meeting their contracted delivery date, they can usually request an extension!
@@BookEndsLiterary Good to know. Thank you so much :)
Great insight. I love the inside look at agenting, editing, and publishing. So much of it is a judgment call.
Another fun + informative vid from my #1 favorite channel ❤
Thank you!!
Thank you both so much !!☺
Tnx for the great video! I've got a question on the comp titles. I've read that it's best to compare your book to titles, not older than 5 years or so. Yet in my genre (fantasy) books are quite often long series, so how do you comp there? Can you compare with the latest installements of the series or still with the first one, no matter how old it is?
Hi! You would usually just comp to the series as a whole :) If it's still being released, it should be fine!
I love your videos!! Question, what about submitting books for different audiences simultaneously? My agent explained in terms of middle grade and young adult. What about adult and middle grade? Would that work? 😅
This is definitely possible, but should definitely be strategized with your agent!
@@BookEndsLiterary that’s amazing!!
@@BookEndsLiterary can this be a video someday?😅
I have a question. I feel discouraged. Is creative writing dead? I’ve been at this for years and no matter how hard I work to improve, I’m always rejected. Am I a horrible writer? Is it worth it? I’m not the only writer that feels this way.
Please don't be discouraged. I think the hardest part about this industry (from a writer's perspective) is the timeline of everything. It's hard to keep going when you're in an industry full of rejections and long wait times, but sometimes it's just about having the right story ready at the right time. Jessica responded to a similar sentiment about querying hundreds of agents and never getting a request. Sometimes it is nothing wrong with you or your work. I will try to link the video here: www.tiktok.com/@bookends_literary/video/7419426117288758571
What is the ideal word count for a mystery?
Most adult fiction genres (with some exceptions) should aim for between 80 and 100k!
if an agent requests a full manuscript, and then opens up to queries a few weeks later without contacting me, does that mean she passed on mine...? I'm assuming it does, but I have no idea lol
Hi! If the agent was previously closed to queries, requests a full from you, and then reopens to queries, it probably just means they've caught up on their backlog of open queries! Full submissions are prioritized separately from queries (and in fact the agent QueryManager dashboard has a separate link just to an agent's waiting full submissions) so they could very well still be going through fulls even if they caught up on reading their open queries.
You shouldn't consider their query inbox opening an indicator of anything regarding your full, so keep treating it the way you did before their inbox opened: if it's an agent who replies to all queries eventually, you're still under consideration until you receive a response. If it's an agent who has a "no response means no" policy, then you can set a date in your mind where you'll consider the query closed and move on. Hope this clarifies!
@@BookEndsLiterary it absolutely does, thank you so much! It was from a Bookends agent, and I know your agency have a policy where everybody gets a response, so Im hoping she’ll sign with me yet 🤩