The Writers Guide To Literary Agents
The Book Writer’s Guide To Self-Publishing
Self-publishing has become common practice for many writers who want accolades of having a book published, no matter who publishes it. Writers choose self-publishing for various reasons. Many writers desire the freedom and business aspects of publishing work independently. A self-published writer is one who is in control of every aspect of their published work. The publishing industry defines self-publishing as authors publishing their own books or other media, instead of with a third-party publisher. Today’s technology has increased the pool of self-publishers, but it still represents only a small percentage of the publishing industry in terms of sales. The proliferation of media channels, such as blogging, video, and audio content, has contributed to the increase in self-publishers.
THE BUSINESS OF SELF-PUBLISHING
The business of self-publishing books and other media is different from any other business. The absence of a traditional publisher makes self-publishing unique. The author of the content takes on the role of the traditional publisher. The author controls the editorial content, arranges for printing, markets the material, and distributes the material to consumers and retailers. Self-publishers publish their books in printed form, or choose print-on-demand with no inventory. Many self-published authors decide to subsidize their work rather than making money from it. Digital printing technology has evolved self-publishing into digital photo book printing. Self-publishers are able to get individually printed photo books from firms like Apple’s iPhoto, FotoInsight, Snapfish, and Printing-1.
THE MOTIVES OF SELF-PUBLISHING
Many writers have varied motives to self-publish. One common reason is the writer’s work is not of interest to the commercial publisher, and otherwise not marketable. Another common reason is the writer prefers to retain complete editorial control over content. Many writers are unwilling to compromise editing of their work, and some writers prefer to have their work presented “as is.” Literary agents and book agents may deny publishing a book because the author is unknown and does not have a substantial resume. Self-publishing may also be an alternative for writers who have written material on a popular topic but the topic is only interesting in a small geographic area. Literary agents and book agents may also deny publication because the book addresses an obscure topic in which few people are interested. Writers of controversial works may also choose to self-publish, as many traditional publishers refuse to work with controversial writings. Some authors choose self-publishing because they want a larger royalty from retail sales.
IS SELF-PUBLISHING A SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS?
Self-publishing is not a shortcut to having a printed book. Depending on what your goals are, it may or may not be a direction you would like to take. In the hard copy world, self-publishing is costly. Getting a book into print costs more money than many writers want to spend. This is why the Internet is a blessing — it’s free. You can either start up a free website of your own and post your novel, or pay a small monthly sum and sell your writing online. If you can write well enough to catch someone’s attention, your readers may be willing to pay for a download of your book. By self-publishing online, you avoid the normal book publishing costs and still get exposure. Who knows, you may be lucky and grab the attention of a publishing guru who thinks you could make a lot of money from your self-published book.
Whatever your reason is for self-publishing, you should know that self-publishing requires extensive work. Self-publishing involves a long list of tasks, which include prepublication and publication. Prepublication includes editing or obtaining editing for the manuscript, proofreading, establishing yourself as a legal retail business, and obtaining an ISBN “Cataloging in Publication” number.
The publication process involves formatting the manuscript, providing front matter and back matter, and providing cover art for the front and back covers and the spine of the book. Self-publishers must also obtain printing quotes, determine how to deliver the manuscript to the printer, and pay for printing and delivery of finished books.
Publishing a book online is easier than publishing in the world of hard copy. The result is not as glorified, but it is a step towards success in the published realm. The more experience you can get writing, the better writer you will be.
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What does the Literary Guide to Agents have that The Writer’s Market doesn’t? And vice versa?
What’s better for the aspiring writer; 2010 guide to Literary agents, or 2010 writer’s guide?
It depends on where you are with your writing and how much you need to learn about the publishing industry as a whole. The Guide to Literary Agents strictly focuses on the last steps of presentation for your work. This picks up after the point in which you have already gotten your work in to the best shape it can be in (at least by you and your resources). This guide will teach you how to write query letters, book proposals and synopsis and how to format both plus your manuscript according to the submission guidelines of each Agent they list. This book tells you what genres each agent/agency represents, who their current published authors are as well as any other agents working with them. This is like the agent who’s who and they try to include only agents with a proven track record and who are respected in the publishing world.
The book provides conferences and workshop information where you could literally meet with agents if you register ahead of time. Most are pitch sessions that run about 15 minutes. The book tells you what you’ll need and how to talk to an agent.
* I didn’t see a writer’s guide but The 2010 Writers Market. It is a more comprehensive list. It lists publishers and what they are looking for as well as their submission guidelines. It has a list of agents too and it teaches you how to rid your manuscript of rookie mistakes that will get it tossed before an editor will even look at it. It tells you how to submit to other publications as well. It gives you plenty of pros and cons to writing over all with helpful samples and stories and examples.
So if you aren’t sure if your work is ready for the market then the Writers Market is better for you. If you know (more or less) what you are doing then Literary agents is the one you might get.
Writer’s Market or Guide To Literary Agents?
I’m writing series romance and hope to get published with harlequin. But I’d like a book with literary agents and markets and stuff just for good measure. I can only buy one cause they are expensive, and literary agents is cheaper than the writers market. So, which of the two do you think is better? What are the differences? Pros and Cons? Thanks!
I know that Jackie 🙂 That’s why I said for good measure, in case harlequin doesn’t fall through and it’s back to zero 😉
actually Harlequin has submission requirements on their website and you do not need an agent. But if you were to buy a book you should buy “Writer’s Market.”
Do you need The Writer’s Market AND The Guide to Literary Agents?
I have a writer’s market from 1997 (lol OLD haha) and I think it has a section in it that lists literary agents. Is the guide to literary agents more thorough for the genre you are looking for or what?
I asked this earlier and didn’t get an answer for this question, so I’ll try again.
no no no I’m not asking do I need a new one. I think that is pretty duh since the one I have is 10 years old. I was just mentioning it to mention that it listed literary agents in it. I’m buying The Writers Market, and I’m asking do I need to buy the Guide to Literary Agents too.
I only use the Guide to Literary Agents – haven’t seen the Writer’s Market.
I have a 2006 & 2007 Guide and have found them VERY helpful.
Get a new one. There were 2 agents in the 2006 Guide that I queried that are not in the 2007 Guide.
Good luck
A huge list of agents, publishers, and editors.
The Writer’s Market only concentrates on the market, has a much smaller list of the above, and is technically a “mill” for selling books designed to help you–the writer. (I’ve bought quite a few from these people.)
Do you need the writers market AND the guide to literary agents, or will just the writers market do?
What about the guide to the novel and short story if you are writing a novel? And do you think it is better to buy it or look at a copy at the library? (though they won’t let you check it out, you have to take notes in one sitting).
Also, if I bought the writers market 2007 right now, do you think it would still be OK? Cause I can get it cheaper used than buying the 2008 brand new. Would the info still be good you think?
both would help even more