Stay On The Editor and Agent's Radar

This one is really going out to those who currently have editors and agents. Of course those of you still in the process, take note and make sure to do this later on. Along the same lines, I think much of this can also apply to you as your submit projects to these people.

I do understand that there will be times when you are in the middle of contracts or other works in progress and there is no need to talk to your editor. That's fine. But with that said, disappearing for months without checking in now and then forces you to be out of radar range. But what is the problem with this?

There are times when new projects do show up. Editors have special anthologies or small projects. Agents stumble across new avenues to pursue. They may be talking to editors at conferences or over lunch. Now here is the twist. The people they talk about are the people on their radar.

Remember that much of your success as an author is publicity and promotion. You have to be out there for the readers to see you and remember you. They need to see your name over and over again. Readers return to people "they know" and, in many cases, they only know you b ecause they have seen your name time and time again. The same applies to your editors and agents.

I think one thing to add to this is something I have heard before from authors who come to me for representation. "I am coming to you because apparently my agent quit and I didn't know." The odds are the agent did send out messages to people on the radar. Maybe the agent hasn't heard from you in a while and assumes you have decided to leave (which does happen).

In other words, communicate with your editors and agents.

Scott

Open Communications is Key

This is a short one today. I have a lot on the agenda.

You as a writer have to keep the lines of communications open between you and your editor as well as you and your agent. In this business, sitting back and being silent is simply not going to get you anywhere. Now, this does not mean to be agressive and mean about it, but it does require open and honest communication.

I don't know how many times I hear authors frustrated with the way things have turned out with their careers. Book covers come out that they don't agree with. Agents don't run their career the way they want. The list is endless. But in every one of these situations, we have to remember that there are two parts of the equation.

Communication is the getting and the giving of information. If you as the author are not discussing what you want done with your writing and your career, there is nothing the agent or editor can do. If we don't know about current writing projects. If we don't know there is a problem at your home or work and that is why you aren't submitting anything, we have to assume there is really nothing going on.

Editors too need to know what their writers are wanting to do. If you want to take your writing in a different direction, then it is up to you to communicate that with the editor. Failure to do so will result in the slot going to some other author who did stand up and say something.

While writing may be a solitary activity, it can not be without a dialogue. The worse someone will say is no. But at least give us a chance to say it.

Scott