Scott Oldford Site

Tag: publishing a book

  • 5 Quick Literary Agent Tips — Where And How to Find One

    5 Quick Literary Agent Tips — Where And How to Find One

    If you want to become an author, you’re going to need to find a literary agent. Agents can help you not only get your book ready to be published, but they can help you get your foot in the door to potential publishers.

    Finding a publishing company on your own versus trying to find one through an agent can be a much different experience. Most agents know people at publishing companies or they have a reputation for finding great books, so you can leverage their reputation to get your book published.

    The question is, how can you find a good agent and get them to represent your book?

    In this article, we’ll be going over literary agent tips. You will learn what they do, how you can find one, what you need to know as a writer, how to pitch one, and more.

    What Does A Literary Agent Do?

    Literary agents are the middle man between you and a publisher. They’re the ones who help get your manuscript in front of publishers who could publish your book.

    Once you find a publisher, they will often be the one to help you go through the process of putting all the publishing details together, such as negotiating contracts, putting together a solid manuscript, and fighting for you to get paid what you’re worth.

    If you feel comfortable pitching and negotiating with publishers, you might not need an agent. However, most writers just want to be creative and write instead of having to do everything else that comes with getting a book published. In that case, you’ll need an agent.

    Plus, agents can save you a ton of time since they know the industry and people in it, so they can get right down to business. If your agent has a good reputation, people in the industry are more likely to talk to them compared to a new author they don’t know.

    How Literary Agents Help You Get Published

    Not only do literary agents help you find a publisher, but they also help you prepare before you even begin the pitching process.

    Good agents will help you prepare your manuscript and make sure it’s ready to impress potential publishers. They will know how to position your book in a way that will intrigue publishers so your book has a better chance of being picked.

    Some of the biggest publishing companies will often only speak to agents and rarely take any individual manuscripts from independent authors.

    Keep in mind, most agents make their money through commissions so they are going to fight to get you the best deal as an author possible. Due to the commissions, some authors choose to self publish because it can be quite a big percentage.

    Generally, agents receive a 15% commission on book deals.

    Literary Agent Tips

    If you’re ready to commit and find a literary agent, let’s go over how you can get in touch with one and prepare to pitch them.

    Above all, you’re going to want to focus on finding an agent that has a good track record and is a good fit for your type of book. You want an agent who understands your style and is ready to promote it on your behalf.

    Otherwise, you could waste a ton of time talking to and trying to pitch agents that won’t help you publish your book.

    Different Types of Literary Agents

    There are different types of agents out there, depending on what kind you need or what kind of book you intend to publish.

    For the most part, you will find an agent that works on their own agenda.

    Some of those include the ones who just want to make a quick buck, the ones who want to help you perfect your art, and the ones who want to work with you long-term.

    They will all offer different things, so it’s important to sit down and ask yourself what you need out of an agent. Do you need more support? Someone tough at negotiating? Someone to help guide you? Someone you want to build a career-long relationship with?

    Answering those questions will help you find a good fit.

    Where to Find Literary Agents

    Let’s dive into where to find an agent that could be a good fit for you.

    Literary agent databases

    There are databases all over the internet with lists of agents you could get in touch with.

    Some sites include:

    Twitter

    Twitter is a popular platform for authors and agents to find each other. You’ll want to join writing groups and keyword search various agents on that platform to connect.

    This can also help you keep up to date with the editors you might want to work with. You can know when they’re looking for new writers, other passions they might have, and stay in contact with them.

    You might find certain hashtags, lists, or Twitter Spaces related to publishing. It might take a bit to find the ones that are a good fit, but it will be worth every second of work if you are able to sell your book.

    Networking events

    There are plenty of literary networking events that you could attend. Meeting someone face to face has such a bigger impact than a faceless email.

    You will want to spend the time to improve your elevator pitch before you attend an event. Having a solid reason why editors should be involved and excited about your book will help you stand out among the other writers out there.

    How to Pitch A Literary Agent

    You will need to make sure you do your research before you start to pitch to an agent. You’ll need to know the basics of who they are, what other types of books and authors they already represent, and why you would be a good addition to their list.

    The last thing you’ll want to do is pitch an agent who isn’t interested in your genre or style, mainly because you’ll just end up spinning your wheels trying to have them pick you.

    Instead, you’ll want to pitch agents where they would already want to pick you based on a certain number of factors.

    If you’re going to do the hard work of reaching out to them, you might as well make sure to stack the odds in your favor.

    Creating Your Query Letter

    While there are a lot of common errors with query letters, there isn’t always a set way to formulate these. However, there are some guidelines you can work within.

    First, you’ll want to make sure it’s no more than two or three paragraphs. You want to grab attention as fast as possible and keep your pitch right to the point.

    Once you know the general length, you’ll want to make sure you cover:

    • Why they should be interested in your book
    • A very quick summary of what your book is about
    • Why you think that agent is a good fit for you
    • Information about who you are (if you’ve won any writing awards, this is the time to mention them)
    • A manuscript (only if requested as some do not accept them without request)

    Be sure to make each of the queries personalized. Too many writers just send the same one over and over and then wonder why they don’t hear back from anyone.

    Related:

    Staying Persistent

    Keep in mind, you will often have to send hundreds of pitches and queries to get a response from an editor, especially if you’re a first-time author.

    Rarely will you hit it out of the park in your first few pitches.

    You should keep building your brand, keep writing, and keep pitching. All you need is one of them to say yes, but you will need to stay persistent.

  • 7 Lessons From Publishing My Book With a Small Press

    7 Lessons From Publishing My Book With a Small Press

    Just over two years ago, I was offered a contract to sign on with a small press for my debut novel.

    I was so shocked I felt that it must be too good to be true. The press was small, and it was quite new. I’d read enough horror stories of predatory “publishers” and well-meaning flops to know just how risky this could be.

    Should I take a risk on an opportunity right in front of me? Or after querying about 50 agents and getting a decent handful of promising bites, but no offers, should I forge ahead with my fingers crossed?

    There was real risk to both paths. I panicked like a deer caught in headlights.

    After a great deal of agonizing and painstaking research, I decided I would rather fail by action than inaction.

    So I scoured every corner of the Internet I could find looking for dirt on the small press, had phone calls with the editor, emailed with the co-publishers and got the contract perused by a literary lawyer. Then I signed it.

    I’m so glad I did.

    In the time an average single manuscript goes from query to agent, and agent to publisher contract, I’ve released three books, won the top honor in a state level competition, gotten a significant jumpstart on building a readership and experienced a wild ride through publishing that feels equivalent to a bachelors degree.

    And hey, my small press turned out to be pretty great. They’re open and responsive, my editor is wonderful and they’re growing so fast that in my most recent round of pitching, some agents I queried actually knew who they were. All in all, my risk has been rewarded many times over.

    Even better, I’ve learned a ton along the way. Here are my top lessons in my publishing journey so far.

    1. A slow month is OK

    When my first novel released, like every other author, I became obsessed with my book’s Amazon ranking and sales numbers. My first few quarters were (relative for a debut from a small press) promising, but then — predictably — they calmed down.

    The first time it happened it felt like the apocalypse.

    But truth? It’s just how it goes sometimes. It’s okay. Really.

    2. Sales aren’t the most important aspect of publishing a book

    A second lesson that quickly followed the first is  you can’t live and die by your sales, it’s just too much of a roller coaster.

    Instead, focus on things you have more direct control over: readership and your list of titles.

    If you keep releasing and you keep growing your audience, the sales will follow.

    small press3. Put yourself out there

    Like so many other authors, I’m an extreme introvert. It’s not just that being social is draining; I am also very good at convincing myself no one is interested in what I have to say. But wow, was I ever wrong.

    At events, I have been shocked by how many people not only allow me to stop them at my booth, but react with enthusiasm at the story premise and even buy it.

    Likewise, I was convinced that other authors already knew everything I knew — until I started presenting to writer association chapters. The incredible response I got to my talks forced me to acknowledge that public speaking is well worth the anxiety.

    4. Targeted audience outreach is better than rapid growth

    I first started growing my readership through Facebook ads, using the network’s profiling feature to target my ads. As I honed my targeting, I reached above average engagement and saw steady growth from this approach.

    Then I learned an author friend was growing her list even faster through Instafreebie and book swaps. So I tried them, too. I saw a huge uptick in new email subscribers with each promotion I joined…and a significant decline in engagement.

    Never forget — a small, engaged list is worth far more than a large list that ignores you. It’s not a race.

    5. Always be writing

    Any time art meets business, it can make an artist go a little crazy.

    To me, the best way to counter that madness is to always be planting that next seed by looking ahead and writing my next story.

    On a day where a lackluster Amazon review turns up or I feel frustrated with where I’m at, knowing I’m already putting in the work for the next step ahead is a comfort.

    6. Always be iterating

    The work of marketing your books is a moving target.

    In publishing’s constantly shifting landscape, the trends for what works best to reach readers is changing, too. The best way to keep growing is to pay attention to industry news and trends, and to be constantly experimenting with what works best for your readers.

    What works today will not necessarily work next month. If you’re not trying something new, you’re falling behind.

    7. Respect your limits

    Writers also hold a hundred other roles in our lives. We are parents and employees and runners and travelers and so much more.

    Writing in itself could be an all-consuming work. Marketing your books could be all-consuming work. You can’t let it be all-consuming. You won’t have anything left in you, and that will come back around and hurt your writing, too.

    Live. breathe. Give yourself permission to work a reasonable amount and then rest.

    I have learned this year just how depleted I can get when I push myself beyond my limits, and it was awful. Never again.

    Just try something

    I could go on with this list for a long time. But the biggest lesson I have to share is that there is no better way to learn for yourself than to get out there and try things.

    Write. Publish. Promote. Experiment. Do it all over again.

    Sure, there are a lot of cautionary tales out there about how an author lost a beloved book to a predatory scheme or how a self-published disaster can harm your odds of getting traditionally published later.

    I’m calling BS on it. If you ask me, there is always another story idea to grab and write. There is always another chance to try again. And if you try, that next time, you’ll be all the better equipped to do it better.

    I can’t imagine where I would be right now if I had not taken the chance on my small press — everything I have gained from this process has supercharged the opportunities ahead.

    If there is some alternate world out there where I didn’t take this chance, I’ve left alternate-me far behind in my dust.

    My wish for you is that you have the opportunity to do the same.

    What is the top lesson you have learned from your writing experiences so far?

  • Need a Book Blurb? 6 Steps to Getting an Awesome Endorsement

    Need a Book Blurb? 6 Steps to Getting an Awesome Endorsement

    It’s a good time to be a book lover. With more than 32 million books listed on Amazon, there is no shortage of choice for readers.

    Those same stats, however, are stacked against authors.

    With the average reader finishing only an estimated 15 books a year (and many picking up far fewer), you’ve got to squeeze through a pretty fine filter for a reader to pick your book over someone else’s.

    With competition this fierce, high-profile blurbs and endorsements are more important than ever to build your book’s credibility and visibility. Reader reviews are great, but they’re no substitute for praise from a bestselling author or high-profile leader in your field.

    You need a few good blurbs to help convince readers to pick up your book.

    If you’re working with a publisher, they may assemble an information package for you to send out to potential contributors, or even handle the collection of blurbs themselves. But most authors are their own marketing department.

    Even if you’ve got the support of a publisher, don’t leave it to them to solicit contributions without your input. Leveraging your direct — and even indirect relationships — will get a better response than an anonymous request from a publishing house ever could.

    Here are my top tips for getting the right blurbs for your book.

    1. Aim high

    To trigger actual sales, your blurbs need to come from people your audience knows and respects. They fall into four camps:

    Bestselling authors

    Name recognition trumps perfect alignment of subject matter, although it’s best if your contributors are strong in both respects.

    High-profile experts

    If they aren’t a household name, their title and organization must be. Think heads of large organizations and CEOs of major corporations.

    For example, a blurb from the director of cancer research at a major hospital would carry some weight. Your family doctor, not so much.

    Journalists

    If a reporter likes your book, they may give you a blurb even if they can’t do a full review. And if you’re successful at landing pre-publication press, of course you can pick out the best line for the book jacket.

    This doesn’t have to come from a literary reviewer or books editor. Depending on your subject matter, the endorsement of a health or tech reporter would have even more impact, as long as they’re affiliated with a credible media outlet.

    If a journalist has written and published a full review of your book, they should expect that you’ll want to use their words on your book’s jacket or in its praise pages. You don’t strictly need to obtain their permission to do so, but it’s good practice to run the cut-down quote past them, as a courtesy (and as a thank you!).

    Straight-up celebs

    Maybe we shouldn’t care what a movie star thinks, but we do. People are shallow. Send inquiries to their publicists. If you’re writing about a pet interest of theirs, they might just say yes.

    Start working on your dream list of blurb-writers as early as possible. Who’s name would you love to see on your book jacket?

    2. Work your contacts

    Sometimes the greatest rewards can be found closest to home.

    Tap any high-profile professional contacts you might have first, of course, but don’t be shy about putting the word out through family and friends too.

    If someone you know has a connection to a high flier, ask them if they would mind passing your manuscript along. And of course, put it out to social media. People are more helpful than you might give them credit for, but you won’t get anything if you don’t ask.

    3. Start early

    It’s never too soon to start drafting your network into providing endorsements for your book, especially if you have influential people among your personal friends or professional contacts.

    Even while you are writing, ask your warmest contacts to look at your manuscript when it’s ready. Keep their names and contact information in a spreadsheet, and make a note of who said yes, no, and maybe. It will be easier to get the goods from them later.

    Send your package out at the earliest possible opportunity. The manuscript must be complete, but not necessarily polished in order to send it out. A common time to start gathering endorsements is when the manuscript is with your copyeditor for fine-tuning.

    4. Make it easy

    When you’re asking someone a favor, make it as easy as possible for them to say yes — especially when this busy person’s help means a lot to you.

    Start with an email inquiry or third-party introduction. Include a single page with all the background information for your book: Synopsis, format (hardcover, paperback or ebook) and book specifications (number of pages, trim size), price, release date, and publisher info.

    Don’t forget to include a short author bio. Send full-color cover art too, if it’s ready, and maybe even a short excerpt from the book. The idea is to hook them into wanting to read more without overwhelming them with the whole shebang.

    Offer to send them the full manuscript by PDF or mail them a hard copy. But bear in mind that printed copies can be pricey to produce, especially when you factor in express mailing fees, so reserve these for A-list readers, or those who specifically request them.

    5. Be polite

    Give your blurbers plenty of time to read and respond to your package. Nobody likes to be under pressure for a favor.

    And do take no for an answer — graciously! You may only need two sentences, but it can be pretty time consuming to write a short, persuasive message. And, of course, they have to read the whole book first. Anything less than a two-week turnaround would be a rush job, and is likely to be turned down.

    Say please and thank you again and again, and offer to send them a copy of the finished book.

    6. Keep it brief

    Blurbs for your book jacket and praise pages inside the book can be short — in fact, they must be as brief and punchy as possible. Two sentences is plenty.

    Be clear about length when you ask for blurbs, so your contributors don’t spend time writing lengthy paragraphs that will only have to be cut.

    Ideally you’ll want to get blanket approval to edit blurbs for length, since almost all blurbs can be improved with a little tightening. If you do need to trim (or you want to tweak its focus) be sure to send the text back to its contributor for their approval before putting it through to the designer.

    Now you’re ready to get out there and round up some high-quality endorsements for your book. This process takes a bit of legwork — sometimes a lot of legwork — but it’s well worth it. If you get a real humdinger, be sure to put it right on the front cover. It will make all the difference for your credibility, media attention, and book sales.

    Already gotten a great blurb? Share it in the comments!