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To help the author develop and create the best book possible. Material that has both commercial appeal and long-term value.
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Recent Posts
Publishing Advice Is Like Political Polling
Whenever you encounter information about any subject, the first step is to check the source.
Unsurprisingly, a favorable political poll sometimes (often?) originates from a source with a vested interest in or closely aligned with the group most likely to benefit from the good news. There are relatively few unbiased, objective sources of polling research.
For the same reason, the first question you should ask about any information related to book publishing is, “Who is this from?”
About 15-20 years ago, I recall a situation when a publishing group released annual industry data that always showed positive results and solid growth. The group behind it needed to put the best face in front of the public, so …
They made it up—not entirely, but they knew the available data was incomplete, so they extrapolated conclusions to make it look as good as possible. Many segments of the “research industrial complex” in all walks of life do this.
I’ve learned to approach research like a journalist when dealing with information about the publishing industry.
Check the source. Seek multiple sources. Let the information take you where it takes you, and don’t look for information that only supports your preset opinions.
Always ask who conducted the research and what their methodology is. Fight the temptation to look at one biased study to fuel your opinions. In other words, at the same time, have a healthy skepticism about what you learn and an openness to learning something new.
If you see some research that the “Hottest Book Category for Next Year” originates from the National Association of the Hottest Book Category, it requires some skepticism and further research.
Similarly, a research piece on Christian books conducted by a group known for their anti-Christian bias should likely be taken with a grain of salt.
Readers of this agency blog should understand that the opinions expressed come from the perspective of people with a background in traditional publishing and who work exclusively in the traditional publishing world as agents.
I’ve written this before, but the worst advice is the same advice given to everyone:
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- The best route for everyone is to have an agent.
- No one needs an agent.
- The traditional publishing route is the best road to take.
- Self-publishing is the best route to take.
- Every aspiring author needs to have a considerable author marketing platform before you write.
- The platform doesn’t matter; it’s only about the book’s content.
As an agent in the traditional publishing book market, I would disagree with every one of the above statements since they all contain a healthy dose of “it depends” built in.
The point is that authors need to be students of the industry they are working in. It would be foolish to think you can compete (yes, it’s a competition) in a mature, highly saturated industry with no knowledge of how it works.
This doesn’t mean you need to be an expert; but a wise approach would be to take your time, involve seeking multiple sources, and have a willingness to change your mind.
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My Best Reading Advice
My wife and I, newly married and preparing to enter training for ministry, hosted a seasoned pastor in our home for one of our entrance interviews. He asked what sorts of books we’d been reading, and we answered. I expected him to be impressed with my answer. After all … well, never mind. But he smiled kindly. “May I offer a piece of advice?” What were we going to say? “No”? So we gave the expected answer. “Don’t read books,” he said. And then, after an artful pause: “Read authors.” Ding ding ding. I may not be smart (hold your …
Happy Birthday Winnie-the-Pooh!
On this day in 1926 the book Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne was published by Methuen in London. Our household has celebrated this day each year with my wife baking Winnie-the-Pooh shaped cookies. (Yes, it is a scary thing to be a man in a house of Winnie-the-Pooh celebrations.) Some say the real birthday is the day Christopher Robin Milne was given his stuffed bear (August 21, 1921). But since I’m in the publishing business, I prefer to mark the date with the publication of the book that started it all. And if you collect rare books, I once found a listing …
Fun Friday – October 11, 2024
Someone took a video of me trying to get into a hammock. I only wanted to take a nap! In the end, I took my frustration out on an unsuspecting writer. Poor fellow, he just wanted to ask a question; and I snapped. All caught on video. ShareTweet
When Characters and Settings Go Wrong
A few months ago, I didn’t finish a general market book because of the setting and characters. Here’s what I believe happened: The author did not want to write about where she lives, but she needed: A police force allowing a crime scene to be contaminated, along with other sloppy police work. A police force with corrupt and adulterous officers. A remote vacation spot. A coffee shop within walking distance of a vacation home. Another nearby town. First, the setting. Judging from the plot, the author never set foot in the area where I live in Northern Virginia. The area …