tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post5838084462046130373..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: So, You've Got an Offer . . .BookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1520717463956709292012-01-13T10:43:19.752-05:002012-01-13T10:43:19.752-05:00OTOH, if an agency is only interested because you ...OTOH, if an agency is only interested because you have an offer in hand, they may not have your career goals in mind, too. They'd have to be interested in your long-term writing plans, not just a quick sale.Filigreenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22123693962423345072012-01-10T09:34:51.268-05:002012-01-10T09:34:51.268-05:00Actually, this type of thing does happen on rare o...Actually, this type of thing does happen on rare occasions... it did to me over thirty years ago. I wrote a short piece and was asked to expand it into a full nonfiction by a publisher. I simply requested the publisher recommend a list of agents they work with often. Even though some of the agents listed had originally turned down my proposal, the agency I picked was great.<br /><br />Yes, I understand I went about this backwards. There is something about not having to sell a book that agencies love! LOL and I might mention they still represent my nonfiction.J.L. Murpheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782355786883006411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-46675123557829554562012-01-10T04:29:15.075-05:002012-01-10T04:29:15.075-05:00Thanks for sharing such an interesting information...Thanks for sharing such an interesting information.honeymoons maldiveshttp://maldives2you.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-30686186030397507512012-01-09T22:46:21.100-05:002012-01-09T22:46:21.100-05:00Thank you for this! It's always nice to know t...Thank you for this! It's always nice to know that an alternative is available!Rinhttp://paperheroes.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35274788920380935932012-01-09T16:30:56.200-05:002012-01-09T16:30:56.200-05:00Always good to hear advice on the potential "...Always good to hear advice on the potential "what if?"s. Thanks!Charlie N. Holmberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546802577363686054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-59509034432878659572012-01-09T15:17:30.250-05:002012-01-09T15:17:30.250-05:00This was a terrific question, and the answer was v...This was a terrific question, and the answer was very heartening. Thanking you for sharing.Debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14716842533070272638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56251647627734428472012-01-09T15:03:58.762-05:002012-01-09T15:03:58.762-05:00@Tom M Franklin - An author may be in the best pos...@Tom M Franklin - An author may be in the best position to choose an agent when they have an offer of a contract in their hands and it does generate interest from agents. But despite liking your work, agents don't necessarily offer to rep you.<br /><br />Why? Speaking from firsthand knowledge, I had two agents on my top list who I queried when I received a publishing offer.<br /><br />Both liked the ms and wanted to offer rep. after talking to me on the phone. The first though, when we discussed my other work and she read samples of them, realised she'd judged these mss in a writing contest and wasn't as enthusiastic about them.<br /><br />The second agent realised she had another client who was submitting work that was similar in theme to mine and didn't want our mss competing with one another when it came to selling to a publishing house. She felt it would be unfair.<br /><br />Most agents look to sign with clients for the long haul, not just one book. Agenting is a partnership so they need to know if they can work long term with a client as much as you want to work with them. <br /><br />So I understood both these agents viewpoints and reasons when it came to not offering representation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22056218973369082802012-01-09T14:39:29.178-05:002012-01-09T14:39:29.178-05:00First of all, congrats! And I second Jessica; she...First of all, congrats! And I second Jessica; she hit it on the head. If the only reason an agent rejected it was because they didn't know where they could sell it, contact them again now that you've pretty much got a great idea of one place. I'd still have a discussion with them to figure out if this would be a one-book deal or if they would be willing to represent you for the rest of your career, and if the latter, whether they would cultivate contacts with editors in this genre if you plan to write more of it. I've been hearing more and more about SFR, though, so best of luck with it!Kristin Laughtinhttp://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-80385349631635366892012-01-09T11:31:54.823-05:002012-01-09T11:31:54.823-05:00"I've got to consider what I'll do if..."I've got to consider what I'll do if they offer a contract."<br /><br />Get it in writing, hire an attorney, and sign as fast as you can. You don't get many chances like this in life...or in publishing. Worry about hiring an agent later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-30587893775008345612012-01-09T11:28:18.666-05:002012-01-09T11:28:18.666-05:00This is great advice.This is great advice.Loree Huebnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845600356878587780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34926623657077285492012-01-09T10:36:49.507-05:002012-01-09T10:36:49.507-05:00I found myself in the same situation as the writer...I found myself in the same situation as the writer. I just shrugged and sold the book to the publisher. The publisher was Random House, and I had heard nothing to their detriment, and the contract, while wordy, isn't as hard to understand as all that. I read it through several times and anything I didn't understand I googled.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91991738289848999052012-01-09T10:09:41.187-05:002012-01-09T10:09:41.187-05:00I lit up when you said, "interview them"...I lit up when you said, "interview them" and "ask where they see your career going". As a writer, I don't think many blogs address this issue... that as writers, we have a right to ask an agent to perform. Perform may not be the right wording, but hopefully you get my idea... that agents have a job and responsibility to the writer as well, and it's not just a one way street.AEhttp://aeoutloud.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53077101586442246262012-01-09T09:49:51.799-05:002012-01-09T09:49:51.799-05:00Interesting situation. And one that I think many a...Interesting situation. And one that I think many aspiring authors find themselves in. Thanks for the advice.Julie Daineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08350205936357263571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-84880050815950409472012-01-09T09:18:44.319-05:002012-01-09T09:18:44.319-05:00If the author receives an offer of a contract from...If the author receives an offer of a contract from the publishing editor, would it be possible to go back to one of the agents who turned down the initial query/manuscript? With a publisher's offer in hand, I would think an agent would be willing to take on the book without much hesitation.<br /><br />In fact, couldn't the author be more-or-less able to pick their top choice agents to send the new request for representation to?<br /><br />(And, what would the reasons for an agent to turn down a "I've received a contract to publish my manuscript and now need an agent" request?)<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9136861870019888632012-01-09T08:23:41.644-05:002012-01-09T08:23:41.644-05:00Great advice. I want the 'normal' route wi...Great advice. I want the 'normal' route with agent and agency but if going to the publisher directly is in my future, this is good to know.<br /><br />Thanks for answering this question so thoroughly.Huntresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08155372788872245758noreply@blogger.com