Agent Contacts

ExposingCorruption · Jan 28, 2008

If an agent has sold several nonfiction titles over the past 2 years, but none of them were sold to big publishing houses, can it be assumed that the agency does not have connections at the big publishing houses?

For instance, I found on Publishers Market place that one agency has sold the following 10 books since January 2006:

1. Non-fiction Lifestyle sold to Harlequin

2. Non-fiction Biography sold to Touchstone Fireside

3. Non-fiction Biography sold to Palgrave

4. Non-fiction Narrative sold to Collins

5. Nonfiction Memoir sold to Thunder's Mouth

6. Non-fiction Lifestyle sold to HCI

7. Non-fiction Health sold to Bloomsbury

8. Non-fiction Advice/Relationships sold to Adams Media

9. Non-fiction Business/Investing/Finance sold to Workman

10. Non-fiction Memoir sold to Times Books

The agency has also sold some fiction and children's books sold to Harper. Does it indicate a lack of connections at the big publishers?

Stacia Kane · Jan 28, 2008

I'm sorry, did Harper, Harlequin, Holtz (Times Books), Simon & Schuster (Touchstone), Bloomsbury (Harry Potter's UK publisher) and McMillan become small publishers when I wasn't looking?

Man, the industry is in worse shape than we thought.

juneafternoon · Jan 28, 2008

^ Agreed. Some of those are damn big publishers

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 28, 2008

ExposingCorruption said:
Does it indicate a lack of connections at the big publishers?

No, because most of those are big publishers, as people have noted above. (I'd add that Adams Media is part of F&W Publishing, which does $300 million/year.)

And the smaller publishers on that list are pretty substantial--Thunder's Mouth Press is an imprint of Avalon, which does $40 million/year, Workman does $25 million/year, and HCI does upwards of $10 million/year.

ExposingCorruption · Jan 28, 2008

Over in the "Ask The Editor" forum I asked, "What are the names of the Big 5 NY Publishers and is there a list of all their subsidiaries (aren't those called imprints)? Is it often that a book that is sold to a smaller publishing house becomes a best seller?"

I should have come here to the "Ask the Agent" forum to ask my question. So who are the Big NY Publishers and is there a list of all their subsidiaries?

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 28, 2008

I think AgentQuery's list of the top New York publishers is pretty accurate.

Subsidiaries and imprints aren't the same thing, exactly. But that's a whole other story.

victoriastrauss · Jan 28, 2008

ExposingCorruption said:
So who are the Big NY Publishers and is there a list of all their subsidiaries?

It's hard to say this tactfully, so apologies in advance--but this is the kind of question that any submission-ready author should already know the answer to. As I noted in another response to one of your questions, it suggests to me that you haven't spent enough time researching your chosen profession. THis kind of prep work may seem tedious, but it's one of the best investments in your future career that you'll ever make.

My suggestion would be that, instead of asking the question here and hoping that someone will take the time to fill you in, you do some research on your own. A good book on how to get published should help. Another excellent way of finding out about publishers is to go to a bookstore and spend some time in the area where books similar to yours are shelved. The publishers you discover this way can then be looked up online. Most publishers have websites that provide full information on imprints, submission guidelines, etc.

- Victoria

ExposingCorruption · Jan 28, 2008

Thanks ICE. I was looking for something exactly like the list at Agent Query to which you linked. Now may I ask; Is it often that a book that is sold to a smaller independent publisher becomes a best seller?

Toothpaste · Jan 28, 2008

victoriastrauss said:
It's hard to say this tactfully, so apologies in advance--but this is the kind of question that any submission-ready author should already know the answer to. As I noted in another response to one of your questions, it suggests to me that you haven't spent enough time researching your chosen profession. THis kind of prep work may seem tedious, but it's one of the best investments in your future career that you'll ever make.

My suggestion would be that, instead of asking the question here and hoping that someone will take the time to fill you in, you do some research on your own. A good book on how to get published should help. Another excellent way of finding out about publishers is to go to a bookstore and spend some time in the area where books similar to yours are shelved. The publishers you discover this way can then be looked up online. Most publishers have websites that provide full information on imprints, submission guidelines, etc.

- Victoria

Sorry, just wanted to quote this for truth, seems like the OP might have missed it. ExposingCorruption, Victoria is giving you some excellent advice, and going out of her way to do so. Even if you don't agree, you could at least acknowledge she's been trying to help you, not just ignore her like that. (I know your post was at 12:02 and you may have missed hers, but then I note you edited your post 20 minutes later and thought then you would have noticed what she had said. I apologise though, if you simply didn't see Victoria's post)

JJ Cooper · Jan 28, 2008

I think asking questions here is part of research. It may be that I'm just a daft Aussie, but I haven't heard of over half the listed publishers above either. It may be because I'm not researching publishers - just agents.

I appreciate that there is a wealth of knowledge here from members who graciously give up their time for those asking questions, even if they seem like silly questions.

I use AW as part of my research toward getting published.

JJ

ExposingCorruption · Jan 28, 2008

victoriastrauss said:
It's hard to say this tactfully, so apologies in advance--but this is the kind of question that any submission-ready author should already know the answer to. As I noted in another response to one of your questions, it suggests to me that you haven't spent enough time researching your chosen profession. THis kind of prep work may seem tedious, but it's one of the best investments in your future career that you'll ever make.

victoriastrauss said:
My suggestion would be that, instead of asking the question here and hoping that someone will take the time to fill you in, you do some research on your own. A good book on how to get published should help. Another excellent way of finding out about publishers is to go to a bookstore and spend some time in the area where books similar to yours are shelved. The publishers you discover this way can then be looked up online. Most publishers have websites that provide full information on imprints, submission guidelines, etc.

- Victoria

Thank you for your advice, Victoria. Writing is not my "chosen profession." I've written one book that exposes corruption in the CIA and the government.

Other than my personal experience with the CIA and the government, I've spent years researching tens of thousands of government documents and other sources. I've also spent countless hours polishing and editing my manuscript. When I was back in Washington DC, I could go to the Library of Congress, pick out several books with relevant information, stack them on a desk, and spend the day gleaning the information that I needed. I could also access microfilm for just about any newspaper written anywhere in the country in the past 100 years.

I now live in a small town in Northern California. I went to the small library here and asked if they had Literary Market Place. The guy just gave me a strange look. A woman who was equally confused checked to see if they had it. Of course, they didn't have it.

I really don't want to make a career of finding out how to publish my book. I just want some answers to simple questions. Agent Query saw fit to make a list of the big NY publishers so that people could go online and find out.

As for finding out which publishers have published books similar to mine, it has nothing to do with my question. When I see that an agent has contacts at certain publishing houses, I want to know if those are the big NY publishing houses. It’s that simple. And thanks to the Agent Query link that IceCreamEmpress provided, I now have that information.

But your advice is certainly appreciated.

GJB · Jan 28, 2008

Here's to ExposingCorruption's question, Victoria Strauss's scolding, and Toothpaste's piling on--I understand all of them too well. About six weeks ago my wonderful agent sent me a list of eight houses to which she had sent my novel. Half of them I did not know--Ecco, and Grand Central among them. And, mind you that's seven years, 110 rejections, a writing award, almost 20 conferences (two by invitation), and maybe a 1,000 hours searching the industry into my journey. Had I known AW existed I might have asked the same question. This blog is just too good, more current than AgentQuery--TimeWarner is now Grand Central (and not yet on there)--or any other source of info. I did Google all eight before I heartily thanked my agent. So...I forgive the question, understand the scolding and Toothpaste's double scolding. Could have been me. g.

ExposingCorruption · Jan 28, 2008

JJ Cooper said:
I think asking questions here is part of research. It may be that I'm just a daft Aussie, but I haven't heard of over half the listed publishers above either. It may be because I'm not researching publishers - just agents.

I appreciate that there is a wealth of knowledge here from members who graciously give up their time for those asking questions, even if they seem like silly questions.

I use AW as part of my research toward getting published.

JJ

Right on, JJ!

Stacia Kane · Jan 28, 2008

Isn't that what Google is for? I used it to help write my initial response above. IMO when you have a question like that the first thing you should do is your own research. "I don't recognize the names of those publishers, let's see-oh look, they're imprints of big huge houses!" It took me three minutes to check the above info--certainly less time than it took to type a question and wait for responses. If you aren't familiar with the names of the big houses, Google that too. Or check the NYT bestseller list and see who published those books.

ExposingCorruption, I appreciate you've worked hard on your book and this isn't "your" industry, but getting a book on publishing--from Amazon, say, if your local stores don't have one--is a really good idea. You'll feel much better about what you're doing if you actually know something about how the industry works before you jump in. You don't have to make a career out of it--in less time than you've spent here asking basic questions you could have had all the answers you needed.

In addition there are whole threads on this board explaining it--see "How real publishing works" (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20586), which was a Stickied post right near the top in the Bewares & Background Checks forum. What's bothersome is that you haven't taken the time to even hunt around on this board for a few minutes, but instead expect other people to do all the work for you.

ExposingCorruption · Jan 29, 2008

Other people have been around for a while and they know where things are. I obviously "haven't spent enough time researching" to satisfy some people on this forum.

I spend all my time researching agents (I do use google and I check several online sources) and I spend my time personalizing and refining each query letter. Asking questions here seems easy. If it frustrates you personally when I ask a question, then don't answer it.

I was on a forum that was related to the information in my book and when someone asked a question, I was only to happy to give them information, regardless of the fact that there were plenty of places to find it online. I'd also go online and find information for them. Finding something online is easier when one is familar with the subject matter. I knew precisely what to look for and where to look. I never told them to buy a book and read it or to go look it up online.

I am sure that there is an answer somewhere online for just about every question that has ever been asked on this forum. The purpose of forums is to share information. I am not going to be deterred from asking questions just because you and a few other people who already know the answers are irritated.

Now if you don't mind, I've got another question and another thread to start.

Toothpaste · Jan 29, 2008

The thing is, some of your questions are a bit like a first time author asking, "What's past tense?" It can become overwhelming to try and answer questions that are so obviously the basics one needs to know. Also asking of other people is a very lazy way of doing research because you are just sitting back and waiting for others to do your work for you. Almost all you do on this forum is ask questions, you barely answer anyone else. It is way easier just to ask.

Look I may be "piling" on as GJB said, but what I was seeing here was unbelievably rude. Here is someone asking all these questions of others, expecting them to do the work for them, and then someone gives advice that the OP doesn't quite like and the OP ignores them. That's why I was "piling" on.

Obviously others don't think you are being lazy. Obviously others here are willing to help you. But I still don't understand why you wouldn't want to order a book from Amazon, have a good read about the subject, and then ask questions as follow up. Would that be too much work? Why do it when people here will do the work for you? I'm sorry if I am upset, I believe you genuinely are curious, but try to see it from another's point of view.

Stacia Kane · Jan 29, 2008

I was actually trying to help you, by giving you resources to find the info for yourself--instantly--rather than having to wait for replies.

Honest.

ExposingCorruption · Jan 29, 2008

DecemberQuinn said:
I was actually trying to help you, by giving you resources to find the info for yourself--instantly--rather than having to wait for replies.

Honest.

And I appreciate all the help and feed back that I get. Even if someone sees my post, I don't expect them to drop what they're doing and address it immediately.

Dragon-lady · Feb 1, 2008

JJ Cooper said:
I think asking questions here is part of research. JJ

I would have agreed before I read this thread. And I have spent a lot of time doing research including at Agentquery and Publishers Marketplace, but although I recognized some of those names there were some that I didn't. I am a bit daunted. Maybe asking questions isn't a good idea. I'll keep that in mind. I doubt that any of us come here intending to offend just because we're inexperienced or not very knowledgeable.

I would say that having gotten that list after paying to join Publishers Marketplace shows that ExposingCorruption is trying to do research. There are plenty of people who don't go to that much trouble.

Edit: Sorry if I seem a bit defensive here. The question he asked is one I might have asked myself.

ExposingCorruption · Feb 1, 2008

Dragon-lady, I appreciate the support but I didn't pay to join Publishers Marketplace. Anyone can do a search on their website. I believe that it's only the members on that site who have to pay. Now that I'm a little more familiar with the websites and with other general information, searching online is a bit easier.

Dragon-lady · Feb 1, 2008

There are portions that are members only which is why I am a member.

ExposingCorruption · Feb 1, 2008

I stand corrected. I did join. I just forgot since I have been online for a few days without shutting down my computer. I didn't have to login again and I was taking it for granted.

Dragon-lady · Feb 1, 2008

I thought you had posted that you joined. I've been a member long enough myself that I'm not sure the difference, but I know I got acccess to information I couldn't reach before. Anyway it's a great source but as been pointed out, not the only one you want to use.

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