tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post4713791060090298210..comments2024-01-01T11:51:53.860-08:00Comments on Babbles from Scott Eagan: Reflections On Things Heard At RWA 2014Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-665134163378314812014-08-02T20:37:18.528-07:002014-08-02T20:37:18.528-07:00"Why do I need an agent if I am doing fabulou..."Why do I need an agent if I am doing fabulously well as self-published author ?" I think your answer is spot-on, Scott. I am a little confused about why agents are being asked to defend their position. I adore my agent. ADORE HER. I am a hybrid author, so yes, I needed her to go through the traditional stuff. But I didn't need her for the self-publishing and yet I specificially asked her to include my self-pub work under our contract. To take her cut so she could manage that book for me as she does my others. I know she has clients with whom she works strictly on their traditional pub stuff and others for whom she helps to source self-pub stuff, but what I wanted was a different kind of relationship. <br /><br />I think agents' roles are going to change over time. They already have. But anyone who goes into it with a "what can you do for me" attitude isn't ready to listen. Someone ready to listen is someone who says "hey, here are the things I find problematic--are they things you can help with?"Laura K. Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08444534759113332744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-47405373343917354232014-08-02T14:36:15.411-07:002014-08-02T14:36:15.411-07:00Scott,
Some good news. I believe that self-publis...Scott,<br /><br />Some good news. I believe that self-published and hybrid authors do still need agents. But, as with each other role in the publishing ecosystem, the role of the agent needs to evolve. I've expanded on what that role would look like here, and you might find that it provides some food for thought: http://updegrove.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/whats-next-for-self-publishing-the-marketing-agent/Andy Updegrovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09280929660223555272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-71930896119223367742014-08-02T06:41:54.287-07:002014-08-02T06:41:54.287-07:00I come to reading this as an about to self publish...I come to reading this as an about to self publish author, but not in the RW area (Fantasy, SF, YA, Christian, and non-fiction). As _I_ see it, you're battling two problems. 1) Too many agents (maybe the bigger ones) aren't being proactive. Their attitude, as _I'm_ hearing it, is. "We only want the real powerhouses, that we like." 2) _Publishers_ are not doing a good job of keeping up with what's actually happening in technology/book buying. I could do 1000 words on those subjects, but I'll try to be concise.<br />What I hear, in _other_ areas, is that many "agents" have a dismissive attitude towards the authors they "represent." That info filters out, and smears _everybody_ in the field. Secondary to that, is the question. "Are you making clear that "publishers" (second part) are doing a lousy job of publicizing their authors. So, are you telling authors, here's what I/my agency can do to help publicize your books?"<br />Point 2, The Tragic 5 Publishers are locked into "we make money selling books, and authors are a dime a dozen." Granted, there are more potential authors than possible books to publish, but that is very short sighted. (It may also violate fiduciary responsibility laws and regulations.) That makes _your_ job harder, and authors can't see that. Also, judging from what has "made it past editors and 'quality assurance' people, is as bad as vanity press quality at times." I've seen typos, outright bad spelling, and grammar in a _St. Martins Press_ book. =8-0 I also hear about multiple editors/book buyers in a project. (I know, not _your_ fault, but authors don't know that.)<br />I would suggest that you offer marketing assistance, if you don't already. Also, is a "bad book" really unsalvageable? Yes, it will cost, but maybe a service can be offered at a price, to do just that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12942736842841409623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-6796000769965143202014-08-01T15:50:00.830-07:002014-08-01T15:50:00.830-07:00Do any of these conferences ever have vetted indep...Do any of these conferences ever have vetted independent marketing consultants as guests? It seems as if they would be in great demand.pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15532518675955579561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-50452904417598641982014-08-01T11:00:07.912-07:002014-08-01T11:00:07.912-07:00I'm an independent author making a living for ...I'm an independent author making a living for my family of 6 solely from my writing. I have queried agents in the past, sharing my sales figures and info on new books I'm writing. To my disappointment, no one seems to want to partner with me to expand my brand into other markets. I thought that any good agent would be able to show me why they could help me make more money than I could make on my own, even after paying them a cut. Why is it that most literary agents only seem interested in taking books through the traditional publishing process?Toby Neighborshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00651938003184072159noreply@blogger.com