28 Reasons Why Publishers Will Buy Your BookWritten by Catherine Franz
Editors will buy a book for one or more of following reasons. By knowing what these reasons are, you can then design a marketing plan with those features in mind.1. The author's previous books have sold well. 2. They love a book and think it will sell. 3. They think a book will sell. 4. They love it enough to publish, regardless of its commercial potential. 5. It's a book that deserves to be published because of its value to a cause or country. 6. An editor is passionate enough about it to overcome any doubts house may have about book. 7. A new editor has arrived from another house and its building a list. 8. The publisher has opportunity to reflag a successful author from another house. 9. The book will be first in a series with strong growth potential. 10. The idea for book is brilliant. 11. The idea for book is timely. 12. The writing is superb. 13. The title alone will sell books. 14. An author's promotion plan guarantees a book's success. 15. The author is a media magnet who can guarantee enough publicity to make a book successful. 16. The author has a national platform such as a column or a radio or television show that will guarantee continuing exposure for book. 17. The publisher thinks that a book will back list and become an evergreen (like evergreen tree -- sells for long long time). 18. The book has subsidiary rights potential including book clubs, audio cassettes or foreign, electronic or movie rights.
| | ABC’s of Publishing - About AgentsWritten by Lisa Hood
While there’s no Golden Rule to “Being Published”; it appears only way to get your foot in door is to have a respected literary agent hold it open. (I can’t count number of times my toes, and my ego, have been smashed.) Most of large NY publishing houses don’t accept unagented queries, and those that do will assign assistant editors to muck through slush pile. A good literary agent has spent years in publishing business, building relationships with editors, studying market, knowing what editors are looking for and which publishers specialize in specific markets or genres. They will be your guide and your advocate to publishing world. The trick is finding a good literary agent. By now you have probably heard many horror stories about disreputable agents. If not, do yourself a favor and read information at Writer Beware, http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html. Be wary of any agent that charges an upfront fee, regardless of what they call it, or an agent that requires an author to use editing or marketing services as a condition of representation. Agents who make their money up front, as reading fees or marketing fees, or who receive a kickback from referrals, are not motivated to sell books. The anonymity of Internet provides an ideal environment for these creative con artists but it also lets us warn others. According to Writer Beware, here are few methods employed by dishonest agents:•Reading Fees – This practice, once seen with some reputable agents, has been abused to point it is now prohibited Association of Authors' Representatives for members. •Evaluation or Critique Fee - If you feel that you need a critique, why not hire services of a reputable editor? •Submission or Handling Fee – Good agents make money selling books, not selling contracts for representation. •Submission Expenses - Reputable agents don't routinely bill their clients out-of-pocket. These expenses may include a large number of manuscript copies, color printing, photos, etc. •Sliding scale of Fees - Good agents do as much work as is needed to sell a book, all for same 15% commission. •Selling "adjunct" services – Websites design, book cover design, illustrations, etc. etc. It's a conflict of interest for an agent to offer paid services. As you can see from this list, dishonest agents are as imaginative and creative as writers they swindle. Unfortunately, there are no licensing requirements, regulatory agency or competency standards for literary agents. One organization that self regulates literary agents is Association of Authors' Representatives or AAR. To become a member of AAR, an agent must meet certain criteria, years in business, number of clients, no upfront fees, etc. While there are no guarantees, your odds of selecting a reputable agent will be greatly increased if they are a member of AAR or similar organization. According to AAR, http://www.aar-online.org/faq.html, “Literary agents are listed in many sources, including Literary Market Place, a directory of publishing industry, which is available at most libraries. You may also ask for recommendations from editors, writing instructors, or fellow writers.” According to Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato, authors of Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction -- and Get It Published, you can also locate an agent a your favorite bookstore: “…check out all book sections, to determine where your book would likely be shelved in that store. From that section, pick up a book similar to yours in content and presentation, one that you believe appeals to same reader your book will appeal to. Turn to "Acknowledgments" page, located either in front of book or back. The author will often thank his or her literary agent. Put that agent’s name on your list of possible agents.” There are two online services that may be of use, for a small fee. “The first is www.publishersweekly.com, and second is publisherslunch.com... they list each week’s new sales to publishing industry and name of agent who sold book.” The final suggestion offered by Rabiner and Fortunato is to attend writers’ conferences. Editors are usually in attendance and you can ask for their recommendation of a good agent. (This is also useful when you submit your query letter: “Mr. Editor suggested I contact you regarding my book…”) To contact an agent, write a short introductory letter which should be informational, no more than one page in length, to point and professional. Tell agent if your work is fictional, non fictional, include a sentence or two summarizing book and then a brief summary of your credentials. Do not make claims that your book will be next best seller, or comparisons to other works. Include a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) if you would like a reply.
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