tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post143243519174420194..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Making MoneyBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10212024498315823472010-04-27T13:45:24.627-04:002010-04-27T13:45:24.627-04:00HA! Heaven forbid you make a living! I find ofte...HA! Heaven forbid you make a living! I find often that I start a story with an ideal, then try to tailor it into something that will sell for precisely the same reason.Janet Morgensternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07375749198677365760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64170043545401116502010-04-26T18:23:23.652-04:002010-04-26T18:23:23.652-04:00Grammar Nazi here:
I agent because it’s my career...Grammar Nazi here:<br /><br /><i>I agent because it’s my career.</i><br />I <b>am an</b> agent...<br /><br />Now do I get a free meeting or something? :D<br /><br />Cheers!Professor Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844216913534421169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-66036849775306009392010-04-26T12:17:45.581-04:002010-04-26T12:17:45.581-04:00Yes, but when you've been agenting 10+ years a...Yes, but when you've been agenting 10+ years and you're well set, I'd think you can AFFORD to give someone a break just cuz you love their book. How do you know what the market will do? No one can predict success!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-13431034097206711922010-04-26T09:56:33.686-04:002010-04-26T09:56:33.686-04:00Thank you for your honesty on this topic. Books ar...Thank you for your honesty on this topic. Books are so many different things to different people that it is sometimes to difficult to keep in mind that they were published to sell.Sandra Rose Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560149963030956194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49734322568172752172010-04-26T09:37:34.148-04:002010-04-26T09:37:34.148-04:00Amen! Business is business.Amen! Business is business.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49344995165603034452010-04-17T07:39:57.811-04:002010-04-17T07:39:57.811-04:00Reminds me of the artists who don't want to se...Reminds me of the artists who don't want to sell out to the establishment, just produce their meaningful work... and then price it ridiculously high. If you don't care about the money, then why are your stick figures tagged at $3000? And why is no one buying?<br /><br />It's not shameful to want to make a living from your creative talent or your ability to sell creative talent.Delilah S. Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209307430010071265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-59891185044661615332010-04-16T13:13:34.427-04:002010-04-16T13:13:34.427-04:00Aaa-OOO-gah! Incoming snark:
There are three reas...Aaa-OOO-gah! Incoming snark:<br /><br />There are three reasons why a person seeks publication:<br /><br />1) They are a megalomaniac displeased with the level of adulation they receive from the public, and so they have written a novel to rectify this strange oversight.<br /><br />2) Their self-esteem is lower than the underside of a doormat and they desperately want a stranger to say, "Yes, you are good at this," to rectify the situation.<br /><br />3) They want to make money.<br /><br />Writing for enjoyment, or for self-expression, or for the sake of creating a potent work of art does not require publication. Seeking publication means you either want attention or you want money. <br /><br />The second impulse is the more healthy one.jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27057712809638531472010-04-15T19:04:37.618-04:002010-04-15T19:04:37.618-04:00This is all wonderful and perfectly understandable...This is all wonderful and perfectly understandable.<br /><br />The disheartening part is knowing that agents can't take any risks these days. They have to go for the sure-fire sale. This leaves little chance for writers like me to achieve paying publication.<br /><br />I've tried and tried to write commercial fiction, and I just can't.<br /><br />All my stories turn out like Aragorn battling Klingons with a lightsaber.<br /><br />Too wierd.<br /><br />But, anything different would bore me.<br /><br />(((sigh)))Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-19152126774079508312010-04-15T15:43:39.486-04:002010-04-15T15:43:39.486-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79704528716755445332010-04-15T01:04:45.220-04:002010-04-15T01:04:45.220-04:00I'm surprised this is even an issue. Publishin...I'm surprised this is even an issue. Publishing is a business. What agents do is part of that business. A business that doesn't make money quickly disappears from the landscape.<br /><br />Wouldn't a writer who is that anxious to see an unprofitable book published be better to self-publish?Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17659054640530601302010-04-14T22:40:43.087-04:002010-04-14T22:40:43.087-04:00Interesting. I mean, I can think of lots of reason...Interesting. I mean, I can think of lots of reasons to rant at agents and editors, but because they want to make money???<br /><br />I <i>want</i> them to make money -- I want them to do it with my book so that I can get read!M. M. Justushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10695486138971352978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33796021760660380182010-04-14T21:34:18.989-04:002010-04-14T21:34:18.989-04:00To take an opposite tack, I believe it does (has) ...To take an opposite tack, I believe it does (has) happen that an agent or editor will know a book is never going to be a real money maker, but push it for its artistic merit.<br />But I would never expect to be in that class, nor are there many who will be.M Clement Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14422621517381625768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82633829119711692422010-04-14T21:29:19.646-04:002010-04-14T21:29:19.646-04:00ROFL! Work for money? How could you? For that matt...ROFL! Work for money? How could you? For that matter, I only want you to represent my work if you can make money for us *both*. LOL!Deb Salisbury, Magic Seeker and Mantua-Makerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01513482264195697450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53973614201351554302010-04-14T20:24:56.287-04:002010-04-14T20:24:56.287-04:00I give labor to my church for free. My employer ha...I give labor to my church for free. My employer has to pay me.<br /><br />I worked some years as a real estate agent. If the house didn't sell I didn't get paid a cent. In fact listing a house that didn't sell cost me big in advertising dollars as well as time and trouble. You can bet I only took on houses I thought would sell, and when I did I tried really hard to sell them.<br /><br />Works the same in publishing. If you want someone to work hard for you let their paycheck depend only on results.Tom Bridgelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13098048586042365606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-28501219235303861452010-04-14T19:07:44.265-04:002010-04-14T19:07:44.265-04:00Kristen, I thought of that too. I also think th...Kristen, I thought of that too. I also think the same analogy applies when writers complain that few mega-stars are getting huge advances while others get skimpy ones. My thought is, okay, you go first. You tell your publisher not to send the check for a million dollars - you'd rather it go to several other writers. <br /><br />....crickets....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-69126642785831526692010-04-14T16:38:12.298-04:002010-04-14T16:38:12.298-04:00I wonder how many of these authors that criticize ...I wonder how many of these authors that criticize agents for wanting to make money would turn down a large advance for their own work. Heck, if wanting to make money is so bad, shouldn't they be willing to let the publishers release their works for free?<br /><br />Yes, agents should love the books they take on, and writers do want to share their words with the world, but at the end of the day we all want to be paid for our work.Kristin Laughtinhttp://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49456835312603728702010-04-14T16:28:36.263-04:002010-04-14T16:28:36.263-04:00Oh and I deinitely agree - why would you want to h...Oh and I deinitely agree - why would you want to hire and agent that *doesn't* want to make a lot of money off you? If an agent works off standard commission it stands to reason the better they profit the better you do! (or the more people you reach, if you still feel dirty talking about it in terms of money.)Wendy Delfossehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16614782334273299261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-18056691180343389192010-04-14T16:26:30.759-04:002010-04-14T16:26:30.759-04:00Makes sense to me!
I've always wrestled with...Makes sense to me! <br /><br />I've always wrestled with the sales side of things. And now seeking publication I've wondered about having to "sell". It helps, for me, to stop looking at it as sales for a dollar's sake, but rather to look at it as sales=readers and if I'm not writing for an audience and I'm not trying to reach people, why am I doing this in the first place? Isn't writing about COMMUNICATION?Wendy Delfossehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16614782334273299261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34179519746685506752010-04-14T16:01:15.153-04:002010-04-14T16:01:15.153-04:00Jessica - you go girl! Whoever says they love thei...Jessica - you go girl! Whoever says they love their job so much they'd do it for free has got to be tripping.Angela Artemishttp://www.mysticmusingsandmeditations.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65927356902445568102010-04-14T15:20:16.003-04:002010-04-14T15:20:16.003-04:00I'm always kind of baffled when people don'...I'm always kind of baffled when people don't grasp the concept that printing/editing/distributing books costs, you know, money. And that the people who are in this industry actually want a return and hopefully a profit on that investment.<br /><br />This mindset genuinely makes no sense to me. I *assume* if an author is looking for an agent, it means they'd actually like their book to SELL, and they'd like to be PAID. Either in money or recognition.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17034419617457525778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-11692814503971278102010-04-14T15:03:10.563-04:002010-04-14T15:03:10.563-04:00I am so glad that my agent only takes projects to ...I am so glad that my agent only takes projects to make money! Likewise, it pleases me that my work will help make money for other people.<br /><br />Flattery and love are nice. But pay me for my work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-81534520189504596452010-04-14T14:23:34.808-04:002010-04-14T14:23:34.808-04:00Whoa, hold up.
I'm not writing for money, but...Whoa, hold up.<br /><br />I'm not writing for money, but I still want to be published. I want my work to reach a wide audience. <br /><br />There are other reasons why a writer might like to be published.<br /><br />That doesn't mean, though, that I won't still express deep frustration about the 10/90 split. That has more to do with a system that feels unfair to me.<br /><br />However, all that said:<br /><br />Bravo, Jessica! Hear, hear! <br /><br />The publishing industry should want to make money - that's what keeps it viable. In fact, if anything, I find it baffling that it doesn't seem to want to. The topic from yesterday, for example. Why on earth wouldn't publishers send their books widely out to reviewers. Don't they want to make any money????<br /><br />But in terms of those who critisize the money making thing, I think they are worried that their work will be blocked from publication, because it's not commercial.<br /><br />I think when publishing switched from sponsorship to business, some people felt that non-commercial books would be blocked. <br /><br />But switching to commercial was the best thing that ever happened to writers. Over time, it's opened the gates to all writers, and made getting published a much more democratic process. <br /><br />And technology has played a role so that the gate-keeping function of publishing is now defunct. Publishers can not stop a book from publishing like they could in the past. Anyone who wants to publish, can.<br /><br />So, for those who write more literary work, I say let commercial publishing become as strong and finacially viable as possible - it will build readership and strengthen the writing process. That's all to the good. <br /><br />And if your work isn't commercial, per se, you can look for industry folks who want to sponsor - there are still a few of them - or publish yourself and use the web to reach a wide audience.<br /><br />Win-win.<br /><br />My goodness. I had alot to say here. :) Thanks for the post, Jessica.Mirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558405035294107657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-76362274232745148002010-04-14T14:09:18.050-04:002010-04-14T14:09:18.050-04:00If you don't want to make money, what do you n...If you don't want to make money, what do you need an agent FOR?<br /><br />(Isn't that what self-publishing is for?)The Daring Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676188266569869059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-70869821150995709642010-04-14T14:05:26.984-04:002010-04-14T14:05:26.984-04:00Love this! A good reminder to everyone who ever cl...Love this! A good reminder to everyone who ever claimed to be writing "just for the love of it."<br /><br />I love it too, but I'm pretty sure my agent would not be impressed if I called her up today and said, "you know that advance check we're getting? Send it back, please. I think it soils the purity of what I'm trying to do here."<br /><br />Hmmm...maybe I'll try that.<br /><br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-3509440527199247952010-04-14T13:08:20.829-04:002010-04-14T13:08:20.829-04:00Leslie, I definitely agree. A few decades ago, th...Leslie, I definitely agree. A few decades ago, there *was* no real way to write "just for the fun [or art] of it" - you could keep a journal, but there was no way to systematically share your work with others unless you went through the system.<br /><br />Now there are plenty of options: ebooks, vanity presses and POD technology, ezines, blogs, heck even Twitter allows you to broadcast your creativity to the masses.<br /><br />Authors who look down on making money should restrict themselves to the venues where nobody else has to make money from their work, either.Wendy Quallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738672242498685175noreply@blogger.com