A few shows ago, we spoke with popular mystery writer David Fulmer about publishing deals – good ones, bad ones and how to tell the difference. But of course, publishing deals are not something you typically you learn about in your advanced writing seminar in college. There you learn your craft. How to peddle your craft (assuming you have craft) is a different proposition altogether. To sell what you’ve got, you need help – an agent. Preferably one from New York (where all the big publishing houses are). And really, you should get one from Midtown Manhattan.
Of course, agents are like publishing deals – there are good ones and bad ones. Some who will pound the pavement and work the phone to get you a deal. And others who will sign you up – and do nothing. Or, even worse, charge you to read your book and still do nothing (David says: never pay anyone to read your book). You need an agent who is ethical, industrious and focused on your subject matter (children’s, mysteries, travel, etc.) if you want results. So get personal referrals, do meticulous research and interview anyone you are thinking about working with in depth. Oh yeah, the agent should be connected. As in they go to the same bars and cafes the editors go to. Do you know where they go? Better get an agent.
1 response so far ↓
P.C. // Jul 6, 2009 at 4:27 pm
“Get an agent.” I’ve heard this before. And I tried that route with my first two novels. If you’re unpublished, you’d be lucky to even get an agent to read your query letter. The bottom line is this: No publishing history, no interest. Is it any wonder that there are so many POD published books now? Sure, most POD books are unspeakably bad, so any good titles in all that mess will likely never be found. It’s too bad there isn’t some other avenue a talented new writer can tap to get a book in print.
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