This week we’re wrapping up our conversation with a few authors by discussing what they’d do differently regarding their publishing careers and what tips they’d pass along to aspiring writers. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. If you have appreciated their responses over the past few weeks, please let them know—Lisa Whittle, Jonathan Merritt and Leeana Tankersley.
Interview with an Author Part 2
Last week we introduced you to several amazing authors—Lisa Whittle, Jonathan Merritt and Leeana Tankersley—who described their writing process. This week they continue discussing writing as well as share what surprised them about the publishing process.
Interview with an Author Part 1
Will a Publisher Consider My Self-published Work?
Interview with an Acquiring Editor - Part 3
Interview with an Acquiring Editor - Part 2
Last week, we introduced you to several acquiring editors and publishers who gave us their backgrounds on how they found themselves in the publishing field. This week we’re going to discuss what they specifically look for in proposals
Interview with an Acquiring Editor - Part 1
As literary agents, we demand a lot out of our authors as they’re putting together their proposals. Our job is to make sure we present all the information publishers need to make a decision to publish our clients’ books. Editors do a lot more than simply decide to publish a book and then edit the manuscript, so we decided to interview a few of the best in the industry so you can hear directly from them.
What's the Difference Between Marketing and Publicity?
How Long Does It Take to Find a Publisher?
What Should I Say in the Bio Section of My Proposal?
What Added Value Items Should You Include in Your Proposal?
What Should Be Included in the Platform Section of a Proposal?
Everybody hates talking about platform. We get it. We do to. But the reality of publishing today is you have to be building one. For reasons we'll tackle in a later post, the ability of a publisher to "make" a bestseller has diminished greatly. The unfortunate reality is that most books are sold to the author's audience. The platform section is where you describe how you intend to reach an audience with your message.
What Should Your Book Outline Include in Your Proposal?
What's the Single Best Way to Develop a Good Relationship With Your Publisher?
Sample Chapters in a Proposal
When putting together a nonfiction proposal, it’s important to have sample writing, but not your entire manuscript--unless specifically requested [see here for the reason]. So how many chapters should you include?
Interview with a Publicist: Shanon Stowe
For this week’s Ask An Agent blog, I thought it would be interesting to interview an expert in the field of book publicity. Shanon Stowe is co-founder and president of the book division of Icon Media Group. She has 17 years of experience in book publishing and has launched more than 50 New York Times bestselling books.
How Do I Query An Agent?
When Does a Proposal Come in the Writing Process?
5 Tips to a Great Proposal
When putting together your proposal, please put as much care into it as if it were going to be published itself. There are some things that immediately stand out to agents and publishers alike that may make them think twice about continuing to read (as there is no lack of proposal submissions). Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you craft your perfect proposal.