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Agents and publishers - why do I need them?
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Belle
(last edited Nov 21, 2014 04:47PM)
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Nov 21, 2014 04:47PM
I went through the grueling search for an agent and was buried deep in many slush piles. Got a contract from a smaller publisher and finally decided if I was going to work that hard I would do it for myself and keep the money and control, so self published. The book has done reasonably well and I have been toying with the idea of querying for the second book but I am wondering just what an agent/publisher would do for me other than take a cut. There are few bookstores to get a book into and seems like all the PR is done by the author anyway, or a PR person can be hired. So what would a deal do for me? When I hear traditionally published people say they have no control over the title, they don't like the editorial changes and worst of all they don't promote the book and it ends up in the dustbin and they don't have access to it, it scares me. So, is it worth it have an agent or publisher? What will I gain?
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You're saying all the things I've listened to other traditionally and formerly traditionally published writers say. The formerly TPs were thrilled to finally wrangle a release from their publishers. One was at the point of abandoning his characters rather than deal with his publisher any longer.I reached the conclusions you've come to and, even though I've been approached, have absolutely no intention of signing. I'd wager, too, that after one good fight over a title or book cover any publisher would be glad to see the last of me, lol.
Ask yourself, "what do I have to gain by signing over control?" That's what it all boils down to. If it isn't advantageous to you, the writer, then what's the point?
It all depends on getting a contract with a solid publisher. A publisher offers free editing, free covers and a support network of other authors under the same publisher. Editing and cover art alone cost a pretty penny if you want anything that will do your book any good for marketing and a lot of indie authors wind up putting out money for more than one cover or editing job during the course of the book's production and possible re-releases.
Free? And what publishers would those be?That *free* stuff comes off the top of any sales. Ever sit down and thoroughly read any of those contracts? With an understanding of the legalese?
Belle,The local library usually includes a section of books and periodicals that provide a list of established traditional mainline publishers that can help aspiring authors achieve their goal and another list of those that claim they can, but don't. Most discourage utilizing the internet as a research tool. Approximately 97% of manuscripts are rejected. Some do not take rejection well. They often seek revenge upon those who had the audacity to reject their masterpiece by posting derisive comments about them on literary websites and blogs. Most are not true or gross exaggerations.
Those same books provide suggestions and guidelines for writing query letters, along with the addresses of various publishers' acquisition departments.
A traditional mainline publisher directly employs or contracts the resources needed to assist the author in converting their manuscript into a commercially viable book. They usually include a copy editor, conceptual editor, layout design artist, cover/spine/backmatter design artist, a distributor, marketing rep. and publicist. A list of names and contact information is also provided. A legitimate publisher will also provide the address of their physical location and directions, if requested.
The copy editor will discover and correct any technical writing errors. The conceptual editor will critique the author's narration style and story, then point out areas in need of improvement and offer suggestions. The author determines if and how the areas in question will be rewritten.
Everyone is different. Whichever decision you make, I am sure it will be the right one for you. Good luck.
Renee wrote: "Free? And what publishers would those be?That *free* stuff comes off the top of any sales. Ever sit down and thoroughly read any of those contracts? With an understanding of the legalese?"
Seeing as I'm a lead editor for a small press, a former indie author and current freelance editor for hire, yes, I have. The small amount most presses charge out of sales is nothing compared to the cost ($100-500 for a competent cover artist and $200-as much as $2,000 for a competent editor) an indie author pays for those same services. While the indie author pays a direct onetime fee for their services, which doesn't cut directly from their income, that doesn't mean they're paying less than the traditional author is, just offered the illusion of doing so. Most indie authors have a lot of output on spending and most of it exceeds the income. The way traditional presses handle these costs is to take a limited percentage out of a sale in order to pay for services rendered, none of which ever actually pays as much as the indie author does to the people they hire to do the same job. The services the traditional publisher offers are effectively free because they are so minimal in comparison. That editor doesn’t keep getting paid for every sale, nor does the in house cover artist. The vast majority of the publisher’s income goes into expenditures for the company, the marketing services that publisher can afford and then salary for their ermployees. What does a competent traditional press offer? Security, stability, effective cover art, competent editing, some marketing (as well as guidance on how to do any marketing the author takes part in), and the company of his fellow authors and staff at the press. Having been indie first I can make a fair comparison on this.
To answer the OP I guess you have to look at your sales and how well you are doing and what your goals are long term. If you query, receive an offer of representation and go on to sell to a large publisher you could be looking at a 5 figure advance (6 figures are still happening, but the ones I have seen are for YA/NA manuscripts) and a distribution and reach far beyond what an indie can achieve. Do you dream of seeing your book available in stores nationwide? Do you want a first print run of 100,000 books? An agent/large publisher also opens up foreign markets.
Yes there is a trade off. Go traditional and the agent takes 15% and the standard royalty rate at the moment (on large contracts) is 25% on e-books. You have to weigh that up against quantity. Only you know your sales figures. Is it better to keep 100% of your royalty from Amazon or take a smaller percentage on a much higher volume?
No, you're not necessarily paying less, as an Indie, it's a matter of control, though, and knowing how much you're willing and able to invest on the front end. Maybe I've just been extra fortunate to be acquainted with a group of writers (some of whom are also excellent, and affordable, free lance editors) who are quite competent when it comes to cover design, formatting, etc.
Personally, I like the way Hugh Howey and Holly Lisle have handled their work.
Renee wrote: "Personally, I like the way Hugh Howey and Holly Lisle have handled their work. "Keeping in mind that Hugh Howey has an agent and a deal with a traditional publisher ;) WOOL sold 100k copies when he self published and then went on to sell 2m through his publisher.
Henry wrote: "Well, a reputable, established publisher runs a business. An indie author has a hobby. As someone who got rejected more times than I could count by the publishers I deemed as both established and..."
Sorry, Henry, but I'm going to disagree. I did the research before I went Indie and that included costs, marketing, and sales figures for mid-list authors. Financially, I'm doing approximately 5x better than most mid-list authors in the big 5. I'm not saying traditional publishing is a bad idea, but with the exception of best sellers, publishers want to know your marketing plan. They don't develop it for you. Cover approval is iffy. Some do, some don't allow it. Editing can be iffy, too. Sure, I pay an editor, a cover artist and an assistant for marketing, but I have full control and my expenses are tax deductible. My royalties are mine, not shared. I don't have to worry about being dropped if my sales don't meet expectations or if my genre is considered saturated.
Larger publishers publish for the future popular market (which is why it can take 2 years for your book to go to market) and largely ignore the many niche markets available to the Indie and from which you can earn a very good living if you take the time to build a following.
I'm proud to be an Indie and wouldn't have it any other way.
My ultimate goal is to be in a bookstore before they're all gone.
