tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post4249381139724531708..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Publishing Is a CareerBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65370157457483830922010-10-12T15:35:24.269-04:002010-10-12T15:35:24.269-04:00I think people might have jumped up the inquirer&#...I think people might have jumped up the inquirer's you know what a little too quickly. The person may appear to have a blase attitude and not be passionate about writing, but it's also quite possible they discovered they or a loved one had a serious illness, decided to take time to devote to their family (or start a family), or any variation of personal crisis. You have to assume that, if after all that time and energy, you're willing to abandon your book completely, some serious stuff is going down.<br /><br />And if not, then I wholeheartedly joing in the booooo parade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-32466230784409583852010-10-12T13:08:32.330-04:002010-10-12T13:08:32.330-04:00When I first read the title, I thought "goody...When I first read the title, I thought "goody, someone talking about the business side of writing". Then I read the question and wondered: First, where is the questioner going for three years? Second, you have your life planned out three to four years in advance beyond what it takes to get a book published? Wow. <br /><br />Seriously, though. I do realize writing is a business. In fact, that is why I took a free course in my community about starting or expanding small businesses. I took it, well, because it is free and I like to learn and use what I learn in my writing. <br /><br />Also, I wanted to learn about the business side of writing. The class is a start. <br /><br />The main thing I am learning about is a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/writing-in-st-louis/operation-jump-start-for-the-career-writer" title="my take on the feasibility plan" rel="nofollow">feasibility plan</a>. Adapting it to a writer's business is a challenge in and of itself, but a fun one. I know, I'm weird :-) <br /><br />JodiJodi Ralstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02400458940845469179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-66174374263348745012010-10-12T07:28:16.505-04:002010-10-12T07:28:16.505-04:00@Karen Schwabach - Thank you so much, Karen, for t...@Karen Schwabach - Thank you so much, Karen, for those very kind words about my novels. I really needed that encouragement! Your experiences in Alaska must have been incredible!sue harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16389269340075232464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62207782356363237622010-10-11T23:18:00.575-04:002010-10-11T23:18:00.575-04:00How long was it between Franzen's first and se...How long was it between Franzen's first and second books? He's being called a genius, isn't he?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78770339993003146132010-10-11T19:13:43.976-04:002010-10-11T19:13:43.976-04:00I came into this conversation because of Victoria&...I came into this conversation because of Victoria's post. The entire discussion reminds me of Donald Maass's book, THE FIRE IN FICTION, in which he distinguishes at the start between Status Seekers and Storytellers. The former rail against the system when declined whereas the latter continue to work on their craft. The former, "it's them"; the latter, "I'm partially responsible."Timothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12676826131239118764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-71324809181180278092010-10-11T18:51:37.217-04:002010-10-11T18:51:37.217-04:00Yes, even if the person knows something in their l...Yes, even if the person knows something in their life is going to prevent them from writing for 3-4 years, the question was phrased oddly and makes it seem as though the writer thinks of publishing as a fun little pastime that can be taken up and dropped at will.<br /><br />Sure, there are authors who've taken off years between books--but the reason they could come back and get published was because their first books sold very, very well. It's a different scenario than treating it "as if it never happened", which makes it sound like the writer plans to drop all involvement once the manuscript is handed over. And your name will always be attached to that book, no matter what. The most likely way to come back and start over would be to actually <i>start over</i> with a different pen name. The writer will have to go through querying, etc., again, unless their agent doesn't drop them in the meantime.<br /><br />If this isn't a case where some major life event is going to work against writing anything for several years, and just one where the writer wants to put out books on a whim, I think self-publishing is a viable option here.Kristin Laughtinhttp://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-44199123331244548702010-10-11T17:11:35.440-04:002010-10-11T17:11:35.440-04:00The comment by Anonymous at 1:25 PM mirrored what ...The comment by Anonymous at 1:25 PM mirrored what I was thinking. Is there another career where you can drop out for 3-4 years and expect to come back to your old job as if you'd never left? Would your boss and co-workers think you unreliable? Are your skills still sharp? Are you still up on what's happening in the industry? Can they trust you won't drop out again? Much, of course, depends on the reason for the leave of absence.<br /><br />I don't know what this person's situation is, but I do tend to lean the way of many other people here in suspecting this person is a hobbyist who doesn't consider writing a profession. It can take a lot of time, work, money, and *team effort* to build a career, usually over multiple books. Why would an agent or editor knowingly sign on with someone who isn't in it for the long haul?Margo Lerwillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00773653995392669855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2772489664036698902010-10-11T17:06:47.793-04:002010-10-11T17:06:47.793-04:00Maybe they'd made the decision to go into writ...Maybe they'd made the decision to go into writing erotica, and then second-guessed it after the book actually came out...T. M. Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726033990784930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27116792229821789722010-10-11T16:20:12.181-04:002010-10-11T16:20:12.181-04:00And by the way, there IS a novel about a One Book ...And by the way, there IS a novel about a One Book Wonder: it is called "Killing Wonder" by Dorothy Bryant.<br />Love it.<br />Not, by the way, suggesting someone else couldn't write another one.LivelyClamorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10930694336919638521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83179530961861755522010-10-11T16:17:39.590-04:002010-10-11T16:17:39.590-04:00Does this reaction mean that for all of us who are...Does this reaction mean that for all of us who are in the real world of needing to make a living, juggle family and other situations, and not having anyone to fall back on or to lean on when things go wrong ...we should not try to publish at all?<br /><br />It may be that whoever put this idea out is simply being realistic rather than having an overinflated conceit about the transformation that we would all like to go through the second our Sacred Words Hit Print...if it weren't for those pesky agents who don't recognize Miraculous Talent when they see it (grin, snicker, giggle).LivelyClamorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10930694336919638521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91309302030811753302010-10-11T15:22:54.949-04:002010-10-11T15:22:54.949-04:00I can think of many reasons the writer may be plan...I can think of many reasons the writer may be planning this break. Perhaps s/he wants to get a college degree, adopt children, have children, join the Peace Corps.<br /><br />It's certainly nobody else's job to tell him/her whether these are good enough reasons to take a break. <br /><br />I'm a little surprised at how many people seem to think it is.<br /><br />Just because you feel you can do these things while writing, doesn't mean s/he can.<br /><br />As for promoting the book, meh. In my experience your publicist hates to hear from you, you're lucky if you sell two books at a book-signing, and when you go on tv or radio the host does all the talking and hasn't read your book. Does promotion actually accomplish anything? I suspect real success comes from word of mouth, luck, and/or having a book store manager hand the president a copy of your book while the tv cameras are rolling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21917703615487770042010-10-11T15:10:16.451-04:002010-10-11T15:10:16.451-04:00I think it was a sincere question, and asked since...I think it was a sincere question, and asked sincerely. I can imagine several scenarios. I keep coming back, however, to this one: they wrote a book, it's now being published or has an upcoming publication date, and they've learned that something large will intrude on their life for the next few years, something they can't work around. And that "something" could be many things. They could've been just diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, and want to devote their energy to beating that disease. Their parent has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and reaching a particular stage now. And so on. I don't read arrogance into this at all, but maybe a touch of fear.<br /><br />What does irritate me, however, is the fact that they sent this question to an agent. And they couldn't capitalize properly. Grr. I know this is a common internet phenomenon, but it really aggravates me. They have the chance to present themselves to an agent, and this is how they choose to do it. Unless their shift key is broken, this is unacceptable. (to moi, anyway)R.S. Bohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101260459422806220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-3034781991359505222010-10-11T15:07:46.664-04:002010-10-11T15:07:46.664-04:00Perhaps as suggested she was sent up the river, bu...Perhaps as suggested she was sent up the river, but were that the case, there would have been lots of time to write.<br />I read the question as someone who wanted to be a continuing professional author, but circumstances prevented it. Like children, or illness, or family responsibilities, or any number of legitimate reasons. And they were a good enough writer to get that book published!<br />What price charity?M Clement Hallhttp://mclementhall.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57161947363198291772010-10-11T14:31:16.946-04:002010-10-11T14:31:16.946-04:00Anonymous 1:55... Actually, speaking for myself, I...Anonymous 1:55... Actually, speaking for myself, I am reacting to *exactly* what the writer said.<br /><br />1 - "how realistic is it to expect that after publishing i can leave the publishing world for a few years, ie. have no connection at all to what i have written, as if it never happened, and then to return after 3-4 years and continue writing?"<br /><br />Doesn't 'no connection' imply no website, no promotion, not even any 'connection' online, etc? Sort of like disavowing the work? And doesn't the wording suggest intent, (as in, an intent to leave publishing voluntarily) rather than an *inability* to get a new contract?<br /><br />2 - "and then to return after 3-4 years and continue writing? would you accept that and still take my second book?"<br /><br />Does this not say that the writer intends to leave publishing (voluntarily) for three or four years after publishing a book, with the intention of coming back eventually? Aren't they asking if the agent will accept them on those terms?<br /><br />The arrogance, (to me), is in the assumption that becoming published is simply a matter of choice... one can just pick up and drop a writing career as if it is a hobby... that the world will be waiting, eagerly, for his/her return, whenever they deign to come back.<br /><br />I truly am interested in anyone else's 'decoding' of this letter writer's words. That's why I suggested earlier that it seems to me that the person may be an unpublished novice. The question sounds... naive, to me. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just in awe of anyone thinking it is that simple.<br /><br />Anyone else read it differently?Victoria Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04957947895990761325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86569365562116565692010-10-11T14:28:49.634-04:002010-10-11T14:28:49.634-04:00I read the letter as if the writer had already don...I read the letter as if the writer had already done this. And maybe that's because I know someone who fits this scenario (it's not me, btw). The author wrote a terrific debut genre book, easily found an agent who sold it. <br /><br />The author has a seriously demanding career. Of course many writers still write but for whatever reason, this writer didn't. I can imagine this writer now wondering if the original agent, or a new one, would accept a new manuscript, given the history. <br /><br />If this is true, the writer should have asked whether it's better not to mention the previous publication (if a new agent is sought). My first instinct would be to mention it, but if the sales weren't great (I don't know if they were), then maybe not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78821546214953156982010-10-11T13:55:59.511-04:002010-10-11T13:55:59.511-04:00I feel like part of the letter is missing as I can...I feel like part of the letter is missing as I can't see anything arrogant or disturbing about it. Where does it say the author refuses to have a web site, for example?<br /><br />I know many authors, particularly ex chicklit writers who have left publishing, not out of choice but because they can't get another contract. Some of you are a wee bit critical of formerly pubbed writers. It's a tough world as evidenced by Sue's comment. Sometimes its harder to stay published than get published.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90352471288598149722010-10-11T13:25:44.142-04:002010-10-11T13:25:44.142-04:00If we can agree that we would treat writing like a...If we can agree that we would treat writing like a career, then I would address the question like this: it's the same as asking to take a 3-4 year sabbatical from a "regular" job. To return to work after such a long absence--for any reason--you would have to hope your skills translate to the new marketplace, submit a resume (query), interview (submit a proposal), second interview (submit a full), and if you get hired at that point - great! But it would be unrealistic to think an employer (agent/editor/publisher) wouldn't be openly concerned if you expressed the intent to work only a short while with them every few years.<br /><br />Just an opinion...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10755541494806566752010-10-11T13:06:31.214-04:002010-10-11T13:06:31.214-04:00Stephanie, I guess that's the problem with ema...Stephanie, I guess that's the problem with email; unless you explain every little thing, it is open to interpretation! LOL.<br /><br />I suppose the person could be asking *after* the fact... this was what had happened, and now they want to know if they can get back in. But it seemed to be a proposition where he or she was planning on publishing their first novel, having nothing to do with it, then coming back in a few years for another kick at the can! Why anyone would want to do that, I don't know.<br /><br />Also, a couple of thoughts... the wording was terrible, one reason why we're all having trouble deciphering *exactly* what the writer is saying; so, is this person *really* a writer, or one of those who think that getting published is dead easy, and they will be inundated with offers once they release their opus into the ether?? (I've met those folks). Also, the letter seems almost to be more to a publisher than an agent.Victoria Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04957947895990761325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-43097906777706134092010-10-11T12:57:53.186-04:002010-10-11T12:57:53.186-04:00One thing I didn't realize when I first starte...One thing I didn't realize when I first started out is that you're stuck with your publishers for life, pretty much--even if you move to a new publisher or quit writing. If you want your royalties, you can never just "disappear." You have to make sure you get your royalties every quarter. Every time you move, you have to contact every single publisher you've ever worked with (usually MULTIPLE times), and make sure they get your new address in every department.<br /><br />I suppose it would work the same with agents?Spy Scribblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299551957327543491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-42649833015028740662010-10-11T12:38:51.551-04:002010-10-11T12:38:51.551-04:00Victoria, I can see what you're saying. It'...Victoria, I can see what you're saying. It's just, they also said, "after publishing" - that could be after months/years of intensive publishing marketing. That could mean just what you said. <br /><br />In general, nor did I get the impression (automatically) that this was a planned break, more a "can-I-get-back in?" type of question. If you were planning a break, I'd presume you'd go for your first agent first. Not asking if an agent would be interested in the second novel. But then, that's also an impression that might be wrong.Stephanie Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-52742350836760604322010-10-11T12:27:27.214-04:002010-10-11T12:27:27.214-04:00I think the problem I have with this question is t...I think the problem I have with this question is that they seem to be planning on taking a few years off after publication. When things come up - health and life issues - those tend not to be something you plan for. <br /><br />It strikes me as interesting I guess that they want to pretend like the book never happened. Then why write and publish it? And if you can't deal with the "after publication" aspects of it because of something else going on in your life (new baby, college, military service, jail whatever)then you probably shouldn't publish right now and wait until you can. <br /><br />I don't know. It is a weird question.Sommerhttp://www.sommerleigh.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82069177363743364922010-10-11T12:23:27.963-04:002010-10-11T12:23:27.963-04:00I don't see anything wrong with the question. ...I don't see anything wrong with the question. I know a lot of (brilliant & professional) writers and artists who draw & publish, and absolutely hate what they've done. They only see the flaws. It's painful to them. I can totally understand wanting to distance themselves and start again later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86086065781672857722010-10-11T12:00:40.262-04:002010-10-11T12:00:40.262-04:00It's one thing to write a book and then have l...It's one thing to write a book and then have life toss you a curve ball that you have to catch... It's another to have the idea that you've written a book and then hand it to others to 'take care of' from here on out. <br /><br />I don't understand how some people think!Catherine Bybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05804889684095619535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17506986015030698582010-10-11T11:45:17.144-04:002010-10-11T11:45:17.144-04:00Stephanie Barr, I think the letter writer did more...Stephanie Barr, I think the letter writer did more than *imply* they were going to have nothing to do with what they had written. It is more than simply *implied* in this phrase: "ie. have no connection at all to what i have written, as if it never happened,"<br /><br />As if it never happened? That hints at a lack of commitment and caring about his/her work that is unthinkable for most of us, I suspect.Victoria Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04957947895990761325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-45098209988222297902010-10-11T11:37:43.777-04:002010-10-11T11:37:43.777-04:00Not to play devil's advocate, but I can see th...Not to play devil's advocate, but I can see this legitimately for several different viewpoints. Even though it doesn't apply to me. <br /><br />First, although it was inferred, I see no direct indication that they disassociated themselves from the publishing. Just had to point that out. <br /><br />What if someone wrote a book, that it spilled out of them, and, when they were done, they felt that the well had run dry. What if they worked their tails off supporting it, but either got too caught up in the marketing side of it (burn out) or were too disheartened that it wasn't more fulfilling or even felt like they just didn't have another book in them.<br /><br />Or what if, since many a writer has to have a day job, too, they had children and just couldn't write, take care of small kids and take the job that pays the bills at the same time.<br /><br />If they did a solid job (or the book took off) or a new book came to mind, why couldn't they come back? If their children have started school and they have more time to play with, why couldn't they come back to writing?<br /><br />Writing is a career. So are many other things, but surely there's no saying you can't leave to take care of life, and come back, that you can't get burnt out, take a break, then decide you can't live without it. <br /><br />I don't know. The response seems out of proportion angry to the original question. Perhaps that's truly a reflection of the unforgiving nature of publishing, though, so it's good to know.Stephanie Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.com