If you’re trying to find out something specific about publishing, you don’t have to plough through all of my posts to find out if I’ve already answered your question: you can search this blog by using the little search box right at the top of this page (just type something in the box and hit enter); and you can explore related posts by clicking on the various categories and tags over on the right hand side of this page. The categories group my posts in big, broad groups, while the tags are a little more particular, and are likely to return fewer results.
If you have searched, and have played with the categories and tags and you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, then please ask your publishing-related questions in the comments to this post. I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction, or to write a new post especially for you, or to find someone who has more authority than I do to answer your question. It might take me a little time to sort that out, but I will do it. Eventually.
Jane, I am a) gobsmacked at my dimness and b) indebted to you for pointing out what I should already have known: that there’s a SEARCH box at the top of the blog. I thought, “Woah, how cool is that? Can I have one?” so I went to look at my blog and lo and behold ….Duh. Thank you v much, o wise one. (But at least I could tell you about Twitter.)Actually, i’m planning to re-organise all my labels, to make them fewer and easier, but that’s not a job for a gorgeous sunny day.
NicolaHave you participated in Twitter’s #litchat? It’s on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-10 pm GMT. Different topic each week, and yesterday I had enormous fun making new friends while discussing ex-pat authors hosted by an American author living in Turkey who’s written a book called Ex-Pat Harem (or something like that). Next week’s topic is ‘Beach Reads’ which is right up my book’s alley. I’ll be in the UK as of June 1, and if I can figure out my friend’s PC (I’m a Mac person) I’ll see about getting online to join in.I use TweetChat for #rooms. See you there?Maggie
Eh, Blogger’s search is much better than lj’s…if you want to search lj you have to rely on Google.
I read a lot about query letters and about covering letters accompanied by a synopsis. Is it as simple as the first is used in the US, and the second in the UK?
(Maggie – shh, I don’t want jane to know that actually I am not a Twitter expert. Will check it out. Thanks!)
(Okay, Nicola. I won’t tell ….)
The tweed-jacketed literary agent arrives in his office. He has no appointments for the day; the only item to be dealt with is a single manuscript that has arrived in the morning’s mail. Sitting down to read, he lights up his pipe and begins to puff away. Soon he is smiling. The manuscript is really rather good.At 11:30 he calls the head of a major publishing house. The publisher also has few responsibilities and turns out to be free for lunch.They meet, and over dessert (accompanied by a quite palatable Sauternes) the agent raises the subject of the promising newcomer. He has the manuscript with him. After skimming a few pages, the publisher is equally enthusiastic. The next day, the new author is signed for a generous advance.That, at least, is one fantasy of how agents work.Having participated in Nathan Bransford’s (Curtis Brown) “Agent for a Day,” I am now an expert (!) on this subject, and can tell you that the reality is not like that.We Agents for a Day had 50 queries coming at us. Nathan said that was a light day. While we were evaluating 50 recycled queries, he was dealing with 76 real ones. That’s on top of, and not instead of, all the his other responsibilities.After the first 5 or 10 queries of the day, my mind became a blur. I could no longer analyze the queries for quality of writing, originality, and commercial appeal. The only way I could possibly handle the barrage of pitches was to check in with my gut feelings. I began to assess each query by asking myself only a single question: Was I excited by what I read?I don’t know if that’s the way real agents do it. But if any of you who have worked as agents or editors would like to tell me, then I’m all ears.
Today’s rosette goes to Derek, for a comment that should really have been a post here, all on its own. Thank you!Oh, and if anyone catches Nicola and Maggie whispering together in the corner could they please let me know? They’re up to something and without my head prefect around I can’t work out what it is.
I just had a horrible flashback thanks to Derek!
Sounds a bit like my real life job. My paws need to go in forty directions at once. My tail needs to wrap around another twenty projects. My ears need to twitch into ten conversations and my eyes need to see eighty communications -mostly in the dark. Sometimes my fur goes up along the ridge of my back….
Here, catdownunder, have some nipcat.
Hiya Jane,Col B from Talkback here.Can I pick your brains, please?Preferably by email. All will be revealed. Won’t take long.[email address deleted--J] Great blog BTW!Regards,Col
Dear Jane, not long ago you gave me, (last December actually) you suggested that I send my work to Snowbooks, which I did.Recently I was asked to write a passage about my experiences in trying to break into the publishing world.As you have given me a lot of very good advice over the last year or so, I would like to point to your blog as being one of the better ones around.However, I don’t want to do this without your consent, obviously.Would it be OK to name you as being one of the people who have guided me to where I am now, (actually, I’m nowhere at the moment, I still haven’t heard from Snowbooks yet after nearly 11 months. Is that good?)If you want, if you send me an email address I could send you a copy of what I’m planning to send in?Thanks a lot for your time.Reg
Col Bury and RR, I’d love to hear from you both via email and you can both reach me via the contact form (there’s a link to it above). I’ll respond as quickly as I can but have to warn you that I’m still updating my computer, so things might be a little patchy for a while. I hope that’s OK.
One of the few exceptions to the rule, perhaps?http://therumpus.net/2010/02/presto-book-o-why-i-went-ahead-and-self-published/What I think makes this concept work is:1) He’s not trying to substitute self-publishing for traditional publishing. He doesn’t think he’s the next Celestine Prophecy. He’s using the ability to print a limited run as part of the point; it’s fundamentally a different product than a regular-publishing book. Like getting a concert bootleg of the Dave Matthews band – you buy it for a different reason than buying the tracks perfectly recorded off iTunes. It is a souvenir of an experience and particular to the experience rather than a store purchase that happens to be made in a different location.2) He’s had experience being edited, and knows what to look for. He hired a professional cover artist. The book looks professional.I would love to hear your thoughts on this!
I have several eBooks published on a new publishing website. Recently I contacted the site owner (publisher) and requested for these eBooks to be removed (cancel my account). The response was that as my eBooks constitute a large percentage of the site, the site owner does not want to remove them, but has advised he will – when he is ready….! It has left me wondering (and searching) to find out what rights I have as an author? Do I have any other option than to let this publisher continue to make money from my eBooks (amount unknown to me) and allow him to keep them on his site for as long as he likes? Thanks in advance for any advice!
~Janette
P.S. If you would like the site link I am happy to provide it.
Janette, your rights should all be set out in your contract. There should be a reversion clause; but if there isn’t, you’re going to have to negotiate an agreement with your publisher.
If you’d like to send me a link to the publisher using my contact form you’re welcome: and you could also take a look at the Bewares, Recommendations and Background Checks section of the forums at AbsoluteWrite.com to see if anyone there has dealt with your publisher. It might be useful.
Thank you very much Jane.
Unfortunately there was no actual contract – just an agreement to the Terms & Conditions (that may be what you are referring to). This was my first publishing (online & offline) experience – sorry.
I will send you the link, and I will check out the forums you suggested, however as this is a new site I can’t imagine anyone would have had any experience there.
~Janette
Janette, if your work was published by that site then you should have been issued with a contract; if not, then the terms and conditions should make provision for the removal of your work from the site.
If there is no such clause then you’re a bit stuck, I’m afraid: although reporting your problems with the site to Writer Beware might be a good move. And if you’re sure that the site hasn’t yet been discussed at Absolute Write do please start a thread there: there are plenty of writers who might find it very helpful indeed.
Hi,
I am a beginner in publishing industry and would like to learn about how the text document improves over the course of the relationship between the autor and the editors.
What software do authors and editors use in terms of managing the typical workflow of creating the book. Is it just Word or is there a sophisticated system that keep track of issues and edits and discussions related to the editing process?
Thanks!
Hello,
I am a self-published author and have published two novels in 2012. I have recently been approached with two offers of literary representation by two respected NYC agencies.
I am having trouble choosing. I have researched them both, but there isn’t a lot of information online. I’ve contacted you because of a comment that you made on a discussion forum on absolute write.com where you answered a question to another woman and said “Some of the best agents don’t always have a big online presence.”
There are very good things about each agency, and if at all possible, I’d love to speak with you via direct message or email. Out of respect to them, I don’t want to disclose more information in a public forum. I really need to get a objective opinion from someone who is ensconced in the NYC publishing industry. If you are not the appropriate person, can you please refer me to someone?
Thank you,
Kahlen Aymes
Kahlen, I’m based in the UK, not the US, so I’m not exactly “esconsed in the NYC publishing industry”. But if you’d like to send me a PM at AbsoluteWrite I’ll do what I can do advise.