Insights from Editors and Agents
From a question-and-answer session with a panel made up of editors and agents, Fall 2006:
If given two books of equal merit, how to choose:
1.) Author who is willing to do the most work after the book gets published
2.) Which author has more books in them, so that the agent can continue to build them in a particular area
3.) Rapport /chemistry between author and agent
4.) Author with a voice that resonates; who is most accessible
Knock their socks off with how well written it is... Love what you are writing and put your heart into it. Come up with an idea that has not been done yet, and is huge!
Agents find homes for 90% of the books that they take on. Remember, agents are working on a contingency basis; if you don't make money, they don't make money. Most books sell about 1000 copies.
Editors take on new books the way that people browse bookstore shelves. "Is this the right book for me? Because I'm your advocate." Editors advocate for both the reader and the writer.
If given two books of equal merit, how to choose:
1.) Author who is willing to do the most work after the book gets published
2.) Which author has more books in them, so that the agent can continue to build them in a particular area
3.) Rapport /chemistry between author and agent
4.) Author with a voice that resonates; who is most accessible
Knock their socks off with how well written it is... Love what you are writing and put your heart into it. Come up with an idea that has not been done yet, and is huge!
Agents find homes for 90% of the books that they take on. Remember, agents are working on a contingency basis; if you don't make money, they don't make money. Most books sell about 1000 copies.
Editors take on new books the way that people browse bookstore shelves. "Is this the right book for me? Because I'm your advocate." Editors advocate for both the reader and the writer.
Labels: editors, literary agents, publishing
posted by Lisa | 11:11 AM
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