Patti
asked
David Erik Nelson:
I remember you telling me (via Twitter) that you didn't use an agent for selling/marketing your books. I am actually a very shy person (I know, I know). So I feel like I need an agent. What do you think? How on earth do you even make connections to get one? And if I don't go that route, how do I know which publishers are trustworthy? (It's a YA book,set in Detroit, featuring characters of diverse backgrounds)
David Erik Nelson
Just to clarify for folks who don't know me personally, while I have indeed never worked with an agent, that's just a matter of happenstance, not any sort of legitimate stance (some folks are strongly anti-agent; I'm not one of them). The happenstance:
1) I make a big chunk of my living running a small business (I write commercial copy, mostly B2B stuff). This involves a good bit of sales and "rainmaking," just as a matter of course. I'm not a shy person, and I am good at selling myself. That obviously pays off in other areas of life, too.
2) When it comes to writing fiction and non-fiction, I'm working in areas where an agent offers fewer advantages: Short fiction is basically never handled by an agent (agents are paid a percentage, and 10% of 6-cents per word ain't worth the hustle), and I sort of blundered into the DIY niche working with a publisher with whom I had a pre-existing relationship (providing professional as per #1 above).
That said, I'm finishing an SF novel this year, and will be looking for an agent to rep it, because that's a super-competitive, super-overcrowded market where I'll be well out of my depth in negotiating a damn thing.
With your situation:
1) Congrats! Anyone who finishes a book deserves kudus and tacos! It's a grueling, nutso thing to do. HIGH FIVES TO ALL THE NOVELISTS IN THE JOINT!
2) YA is an awesome place to be right now, from a business perspective (it's one of the few segments seeing consistent and meaningful growth) and artistically (authors and publishers are doing really interesting, provocative, substantial things in YA). Well played!
3) This also means that it is an insanely crowded, jumbled field with lots of moving pieces. Get a good agent; agents live and die by being able to quickly and profitably navigate this jungle.
As for the tools you need for making connections:
* Publishers Marketplace: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ PM offers agent listings, industry reports, industry news, etc. You have to pay to join, but the word from folks I know who make their living writing fiction (including YA) is that PM earns its keep and is a trustworthy source.
* Query Shark: http://queryshark.blogspot.com/ This is a blog operated by an anonymous agent who tears down, dissects, and rebuilds actual queries, walking readers through exactly where each goes wrong. She's on Query #266 now. Read the entire blog. Can't get an agent without a query, and queries are downright treacherous.
* Writer Beware: http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/f... Hosted by the Science Fiction Writers of America, but dealing with scams and lousy business dealings that befall fiction authors of all stripes.
Best of luck! Oh, that reminds me, I saw your "Images of America: Downtown Ann Arbor" book for sale recently and was vicariously thrilled; congrats!
1) I make a big chunk of my living running a small business (I write commercial copy, mostly B2B stuff). This involves a good bit of sales and "rainmaking," just as a matter of course. I'm not a shy person, and I am good at selling myself. That obviously pays off in other areas of life, too.
2) When it comes to writing fiction and non-fiction, I'm working in areas where an agent offers fewer advantages: Short fiction is basically never handled by an agent (agents are paid a percentage, and 10% of 6-cents per word ain't worth the hustle), and I sort of blundered into the DIY niche working with a publisher with whom I had a pre-existing relationship (providing professional as per #1 above).
That said, I'm finishing an SF novel this year, and will be looking for an agent to rep it, because that's a super-competitive, super-overcrowded market where I'll be well out of my depth in negotiating a damn thing.
With your situation:
1) Congrats! Anyone who finishes a book deserves kudus and tacos! It's a grueling, nutso thing to do. HIGH FIVES TO ALL THE NOVELISTS IN THE JOINT!
2) YA is an awesome place to be right now, from a business perspective (it's one of the few segments seeing consistent and meaningful growth) and artistically (authors and publishers are doing really interesting, provocative, substantial things in YA). Well played!
3) This also means that it is an insanely crowded, jumbled field with lots of moving pieces. Get a good agent; agents live and die by being able to quickly and profitably navigate this jungle.
As for the tools you need for making connections:
* Publishers Marketplace: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ PM offers agent listings, industry reports, industry news, etc. You have to pay to join, but the word from folks I know who make their living writing fiction (including YA) is that PM earns its keep and is a trustworthy source.
* Query Shark: http://queryshark.blogspot.com/ This is a blog operated by an anonymous agent who tears down, dissects, and rebuilds actual queries, walking readers through exactly where each goes wrong. She's on Query #266 now. Read the entire blog. Can't get an agent without a query, and queries are downright treacherous.
* Writer Beware: http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/f... Hosted by the Science Fiction Writers of America, but dealing with scams and lousy business dealings that befall fiction authors of all stripes.
Best of luck! Oh, that reminds me, I saw your "Images of America: Downtown Ann Arbor" book for sale recently and was vicariously thrilled; congrats!
More Answered Questions
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David Erik Nelson:
I know that you are an award winning SciFi author, as well as the writer of DIY books. Which type of writing gives you the most satisfaction? And why?
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