Beth Green
asked
W. Terry Whalin:
Hey Terry, My book has won three awards and has had great reviews. Should I now query an agent? The latest award was with Readers' Favorite and they have a publishing company now reviewing a proposal from me. I'm just unsure how to navigate without someone to help me. Any advice from you would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Beth Green
W. Terry Whalin
Beth,
Congratulations on the awards. It's not clear to me what you want to do with your book. I assume it was self-published and you want an agent to move it to a better publisher. This move is possible but one to do with caution.
Anyone can hang out an agent shingle so you need to make sure the agent is a well-respected and good agent. I have a free list of over 400 agents and a lot of advice and links about how to check them out at: http://terrylinks.com/agents
My answer depends on your goals as a writer for your book. Is it better distribution or what? You don't have to have an agent. Not every agent places every book that they represent--and it takes a lot of time--even if you have the right agent. Another possibility is to move to a publisher like Morgan James (where I acquire books). Check out this two page document and my work contact information is at the bottom of the second page: http://terrylinks.com/MJPOneSheet About 30% of our authors have agents but 70% do not.
A final recommendation is to make sure before you sign any agency agreement or new contract that you check it out with a literary attorney. Not just any attorney will work since many lawyers have no knowledge of publishing law. i recommend my friend Sallie Randolph and check out her website with her contact info: http://authorlaw.com I've known Sallie and worked with her for over 20 years.
Hope this answer sets you on the right path with your book. I know there are many choices and at times it is hard to know which way to turn. If I can help you, let me know.
Terry
__________________________
W. Terry Whalin
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Straight Talk from the Editor (FREE Ebook):
http://straighttalkeditor.com
Follow Me On Twitter:
http://twitter.com/terrywhalin
My blog, The Writing Life (over 1,300 entries):
http://www.thewritinglife.ws
Congratulations on the awards. It's not clear to me what you want to do with your book. I assume it was self-published and you want an agent to move it to a better publisher. This move is possible but one to do with caution.
Anyone can hang out an agent shingle so you need to make sure the agent is a well-respected and good agent. I have a free list of over 400 agents and a lot of advice and links about how to check them out at: http://terrylinks.com/agents
My answer depends on your goals as a writer for your book. Is it better distribution or what? You don't have to have an agent. Not every agent places every book that they represent--and it takes a lot of time--even if you have the right agent. Another possibility is to move to a publisher like Morgan James (where I acquire books). Check out this two page document and my work contact information is at the bottom of the second page: http://terrylinks.com/MJPOneSheet About 30% of our authors have agents but 70% do not.
A final recommendation is to make sure before you sign any agency agreement or new contract that you check it out with a literary attorney. Not just any attorney will work since many lawyers have no knowledge of publishing law. i recommend my friend Sallie Randolph and check out her website with her contact info: http://authorlaw.com I've known Sallie and worked with her for over 20 years.
Hope this answer sets you on the right path with your book. I know there are many choices and at times it is hard to know which way to turn. If I can help you, let me know.
Terry
__________________________
W. Terry Whalin
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Straight Talk from the Editor (FREE Ebook):
http://straighttalkeditor.com
Follow Me On Twitter:
http://twitter.com/terrywhalin
My blog, The Writing Life (over 1,300 entries):
http://www.thewritinglife.ws
More Answered Questions
Kat
asked
W. Terry Whalin:
I have a book that is the actual journal of when my newborn son died, and the 3 yrs following. An experienced author told me it needs to be published but I simply cannot do the cover letter. Do you have any ideas if this book is worth pursuing and can I find help in writing the cover letter?
Stephen Hiemstra
asked
W. Terry Whalin:
Terry: I notice that you are involved in publishing. In the summer, I self-published my first paperback, A Christian Guide to Spirituality, and this past weekend published a Kindle Edition. I had thought to team up with a publisher to come out a hardcover edition , I have puzzled over whether this collaboration would be interesting to a publisher. What advice can you offer me? Stephen
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