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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 620
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 09:18 pm: | 
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Hey DT,
I've been told that when a publisher offers you a deal, it is a good time to secure a literary agent. With your audio offer, did you consider approaching a literary agent for representation of the deal and subsequent deals? It might seem like working backwards but if the literary agent has connections with the big publishers, wouldn't be worth sharing a cut?
Thoughts? |
Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 114
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 10:03 pm: |
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Emanuel,
I considered it for a moment but decided to pass on attempting it. I actually decided to wait and see what my audio placements would be. I have heard the same thing also, that taking a deal to an agent was a good way to secure one. On the other hand it feels too close to paying an agent for representation for my comfort. I have heard the reports of the advance differences of agented vs. unagented but that's the way I proceeded.
My next approach may be to go back with the library placements as an additional proof source of marketability. Some feel different, but the deal was in hand already. I would rather an agent take me on for reasons other than easy money and then discover the work is not their cup of tea and they apply a lukewarm selling effort.
www.DTPollard.com |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 621
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 10:44 pm: |
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Thanks for response. |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2358
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 - 07:19 am: |
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I don't think it would ever be in the best interest of an agent to apply lukewarm selling efforts since they don't make money unless you do. If they don't believe that your project will sell (at least the reputable ones anyway) they won't represent you and will still send you a rejection letter. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12497
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 - 03:32 pm: |
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Don't most big houses do "pro bono" publishing, putting out a certain amount of books they deem worthy of print for the benefits of posterity, disregarding whether or not these works will make money?
Simple. All anybody had to do is write a book with immortal overtones.  |
Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 115
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 - 07:41 pm: |
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A_womon,
My reference to lukewarm effort relates to the incentive for the agent to get the easy commission negotiating an audio deal I bring to them that came my way unagented. The agent may agree to represent the paper version of the book or books because that is part of the deal.
I'm not saying that a reputable agent would do this, but what would stop an agent from sticking a book on a shelf for a few months and then sending a letter stating I am unable to place your book. Maybe you get a minimum deal from a small publisher with little marketing clout.
The only point was that an agent would be more motivated if the book fit what they felt was something they could sell outside of the incentive of getting an easy payday.
www.DTPollard.com |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 622
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 - 08:19 pm: |
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It just seemed to make sense to take the audio deal to the literary agent, end the iUniverse contract, and have the agent push the print version to a traditional publisher since it's been proven that a publisher will buy it. I see, however, there are a lot of ifs, ands, or buts to this scenario. |
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