I received a question from one of my readers a while back. She asked, “I’m confused, should I be trying to find a publisher or a literary agent?”
I thought it was a great question that should be addressed.
These days most publishers won’t even talk to writers, they will only go through agents. But, there are still many smaller legitimate publishers that welcome and encourage queries from writers. So, what’s the deal?
It comes down to your goals and your personality. For example, Gary Renard, best selling author of the book Disappearance of the Universe, chose to go with a publisher that was really small… only one person. Why? He wanted to retain control of the amount of editorial changes to his book. He knew if he went to a large publisher he would lose control of what got produced. After the book performed well, he later went on to sign with a large publisher who left the book intact.
So, what is your situation? Are you just satisfied to see your name in print? Do you need the marketing clout a large publisher can provide?
For most people I would recommend that they send query letters to both publishers and agents. By the way, you DON’T NEED to have an agent to sign with a publisher. You can always attract one later, just make sure you review your publishing contract.
I spoke to Rad Zdero author of the book “Entopia” who recently was published by a small publisher in Virginia. He was very happy with the service provided by his publisher and is currently seeking an agent so he can focus more on his writing.
Lessons learned? Just go for it and send out query letters to both agents and publishers. It’s the same letter anyway!
photo credit: gin_able
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29 comments ↓
Thanks for your advice. I was confused about that too. I’m just wondering if it is difficult to switch publishers once you are already with one?
Over the years, I have found that most publishers desire someone that writes well and is known to the public. Of course, we that self publish and pay the expense of promoting our own work understand this. It is however, as you have stated that it all depends on what an author desires to do. I enjoy writing stories based upon true history. You may see my work in most book stores and Amazon. com. GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, A DAY LIKE TODAY and several more. My goal is to write many sagas and continue to distribute them among our militay, home and abroad.
Excellent point Charles. When you self publish and promote your work yourself you retain full control. And if you are really good at promotion you keep most of the profits.
Hi, my name is Toni Deleseleuc. I’m a writer. I have written four completed screenplays, two novels several children’s books and two books lof poetry. I love writing. i actually had a literary agent in Newyork but my husband thinks because my literaray agent asked me to pay one hundred dollars to have my screenplay critiqued that my agent is a scam. What do you think?
I’m a great writer I have written over seven completed screenplays that are just collecting dust on my shelf. I really wan to be a screenplay writer for Hollywood. I can write anything. I have great material. I have a great screenplay that has a great role for Ozzie Osborn and Sharon Osborn. Please let me know wnhat I should do. My husband says that if a compant ask you for money it’s not legite.
Thanks Charles, I’m currently self publishing my first book of poetry at the end of this month. I still feel you need to take risk sometimes. I believe in my agent in Newyork. What’s one hundred dollars in this day in time. Agents are in business to make money just like the rest of us. Sometimes you have to take chances in life. To get anywhere, to succeed.
Very True Toni however, your husband is correct. I assure you that a polished M/S will grab attention with any publisher quicker. Saves time corrosponding with you about the subject and needing to do it anyway. $100.00, wow! Not that would throw water on the fire. My first published novel cost $650 and then had to spend $500 more before the publisher agreed to publish it. Needless to say, I use another self publish company, all in one package and very good relationship.
I am an established tech. author.
What I am actually looking for is reliable printer - not a publisher or agent to share the proceeds with.
I am also not looking for self-publishing or print-on-demand.
Anyone have any ideas please?
Gavin:
When I was at a book fair in West Virginia in 04, I met a school teacher that had created a beauiful book, photos included, of her state. She did all the work and published it herself with a printer. Cost $50.00 for everything. She then set up her booths with the venders and sold hundreds. Not only did the historical society buy her work but helped her promote it too. I was so impressed with both procedures and today, she drives to the bank with her proceeds.
Hope this helps!
Gavin,
you can check out the printers here
http://www.writers-publish.com/book-printing.html
and there is also another firm
http://www.instantpublisher.com
Thanks for the tip but what should this enquiry letter look like and contain?
Cheers
To structure your query letter take a look at this page.
http://www.writers-publish.com/query-letter.html
For gavin powell, my book is selling over 1mil annually and the printing company is 1st rate. Call vlad at Angel Printing in Oceanside Ca.
I’ve been trying to get published for years and have been sending query letters to publishers and agents and no one wants to publish me. Have any advice?
Nicole,
Have you had a literary critique done for your book? Has it been professionally edited? What is the genre for your book?
Nicole
Mr. Guishand has asked sound questions. No agent or publisher wishes to read none professional work. They simply do not have the time. Remenber, editing to the point of creating a grabber will get it done. Something else, you may wish to consider that some publishers will look at your work without an agent but it must be done as mentioned. If a person is not willing to invest in presenting professional work, neither will anyone else.
It only cost a few dollars more to go first class.
Good Luck !!!!!!!!!!!!
I do not have any money but I have an excellent book ..Any advise would be welcomed
Robin
If you have enough to purchase stamps and envelopes, follow Sydney’s suggestions 5 steps of finding an agent. That may place your work before someone that has an order.
Recently, I received an email from an agent that was looking for something simular to what I had mentioned.
She said that a certain colleges always look for ideas concerning what I am currently writing.
Not knowing what you write, perhaps contacting universities would be an answer?
How can I get a very competent Literary Agent who can make my book”How to Avoid Tension and Achieve Peace in Life” best seller in USA, UK and other countries?
Search the internet for an agent in the genre you are looking for. If that doesn’t yield results from something like Google, then try doing a general agent search and sending out query letters to all agents (response will be low). If you use email you may get blacklisted for spamming. You could also try to go direct to publishers. You could also try to self-publish. The danger with self publishing is that it is generally regarded as vanity publishing because publishers don’t think they can make money out of it. Depends on your objective but we all have to put food on the table and a roof over our heads
Right On Gavin
Also, make sure they are listed as trustworthy and if they ask for reading fees or any money, don’t do it. A real agent that has the work at heart will contact you personally. At that time you can work out all the factors.
If it is your first, you may not receive much but a good agent wants a writer that they can depend on to steady supply good stuff.
Hope this helps.
Any kind of agent in the book publishing or music industry, who does not work on commission, is not motivated to work after they already have your hard-earned cash, and they are likely a rip-off as well. That’s just the way it works. The only exception I have so far found is an online music industry A&R company called Taxi.com.
my first problem it’s the money, I would prefer not risk too much about invest money in publshing, also I don’t know if I really need an agent before.
I have published educational materials with a publisher in Texas. I am now working on my first suspense novel. Do you think that being published already is a benefit? Take into consideration that I published educational materials. The book that I am currently working on is non-educational. Is this something that should be considered a benefit, when contacting publishers/agents, or can this possibly be used to place me in a “box” and work against me?
Sandy, I don’t think so. Let me share something. A friend that has written four sequels to her first novel asked me to check with her self publishing company anout marketing ideas etc. She knew that I am a history buff but the wotk that I attemp now is WW2 memios. Naturally not many people like that sort of stuff until 9-11 or D Day each year. When following her advice and speaking to a publishing agent I learn that the person knew much of what I wanted to do and was quiet helpful. Come to find out He had written a four hour film doucmentation on the same subject and showed on the History Channel this year. It also aired in Germany and England. So one really don’t know until you let people know about your project. Who cares if more turn you off then listen. My search ended with confidence that someone who really knew and could relate with my thoughts was there to help.
P.S I have evert intentions of self publishing with him.
hI, Im still working on my book.At the same time i have no IDEA how to writte a query letter.At the same time i need an AGENT.Im wriiting a book based on a true story .Will need somebody to correct and translate.Love this block!!
What about screen writers agents? Can you please provide me some information?
I have written two novels, three short stories, four plays, a collection of poems and a two screenplays But i am finding it difficult to get a publisher. the self publishers are also too expensive. what do i do?
I have written two novels, three short stories, four plays, a collection of poems and two screenplays But i am finding it difficult to get a publisher. the self publishers are also too expensive. what do i do?
Dosa,
When you say you have found it difficult to find a publisher. Can you tell me exactly how many publishers you’ve contacted, agents contacted and over what time period?
Sydney
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