What does an agent do?
There three primary things that an agent will for you:
1) Agents submit material to publishers. Agents are allowed to submit to all publishers without being concerned over which ones don't accept unsolicited material. Also agents know the business and have dealt with the editors before. Research is not an issue.
2) Agents negotiate contracts. Most agents have contracts that are better than what unagented people receive from the publisher.
3) Agents collect money and distribute it. Agents review the royalty statements, which are complicated, point out any mistakes and get the publisher to pay, which is hard for an individual to do.
This information just lists the basics. An agent will help with any problem that arises, can give good advice and will manage your career. It's nice for an author or illustrator who deals with more than one publisher to get one 1099 at the end of the year from his or her agent stating all earnings, commissions, expenses, etc.
Showing posts with label contracts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contracts. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
To Agent or Not to Agent: Part 1
Do I really need an agent?
Agents are not always needed to land a book deal. However, the “big 6” publishing houses (HarperCollins, Random House, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, Penguin Putnam and Disney / Hyperion) say they will only consider manuscripts from published authors or agents. These houses are also difficult to break into even with an agent. It is recommended that beginning writers begin working with smaller imprints. Use this opportunity to gain personal contacts and keep up with them. Editors are always moving from house to house. They are always trying to move up as well. Establishing these relationships early will only help you move up with them.
First time authors submitting manuscripts, would use their time more wisely submitting directly to a publisher by means of a query letter. Editors are more likely to sign a new author before an agent is to sign up someone to represent.
For children's book illustrators the situation is a little different. More artists work with agents, known as artist’s representatives, and unpublished illustrators do become clients for agents. For artists, having a rep helps them get more jobs then they ever would have been able to find on their own.
Agents are not always needed to land a book deal. However, the “big 6” publishing houses (HarperCollins, Random House, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, Penguin Putnam and Disney / Hyperion) say they will only consider manuscripts from published authors or agents. These houses are also difficult to break into even with an agent. It is recommended that beginning writers begin working with smaller imprints. Use this opportunity to gain personal contacts and keep up with them. Editors are always moving from house to house. They are always trying to move up as well. Establishing these relationships early will only help you move up with them.
First time authors submitting manuscripts, would use their time more wisely submitting directly to a publisher by means of a query letter. Editors are more likely to sign a new author before an agent is to sign up someone to represent.
For children's book illustrators the situation is a little different. More artists work with agents, known as artist’s representatives, and unpublished illustrators do become clients for agents. For artists, having a rep helps them get more jobs then they ever would have been able to find on their own.
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