Hi,
CarolZ, and welcome to AW.
CarolZ:
My agency is a legitimate business.
I didn't suggest that it wasn't a legitimate business. My issue is whether you have enough of a sales track record to make it worthwhile for an author to sign with you.
When I made my original post in 2007, you only had 2 sales listed - one made in 2004 and the other made in 2006. Your current website does not list any sales information or provide an indication of who your clients are. Are you able to give us an idea of your recent sales because this would do a lot to help convince people that you are able to work as an agent?
CarolZ:
There is a very good reason for the low number of sales.
Okay. What is that reason?
CarolZ:
Some writers publish with PublishAmerica for two reasons: 1) their book did not sell to a traditional publisher; 2) they cannot afford to self-publish, but they actually want a good product, so they come to me for editing.
The second reason you cite is not a reason for an author to sign with Publish America.
As an agent, would you ever encourage one of your clients to sign with Publish America? Do you represent any authors who self-publish or only self-publish?
CarolZ:
Try Jodie Rhodes, a literary agent in CA. She, too accepts unpublished writers.
There are plenty of agents who accept unpublished writers (I know, because I'm about to sign with a major London agency and I only have one short story token paying credit to my name).
The issue is not whether an author has been previously published, the issue is whether you as an agent believe you can sell a person's manuscript and whether you can then actually do so.
CarolZ:
Your skepticism is unwarranted. There is a very good reason for the "few apparent sales" and I'd like to ask, What's wrong with "making money on editing?"
Your inability or unwillingness to provide details of recent sales suggests that my skepticism is very much warranted.
I repeat - what is this "very good reason" for your low number of sales? If you've got one, then please share it.
As regards making money from editing - there's nothing wrong with that (although as
Victoria points out, it's a potential conflict of interest). I happen to know several agent's assistants at top agencies who work as freelance editors to supplement their income. They all make it very clear that they will not give the manuscript any preferential treatment if it's submitted to the agencies they work for and make sure that the authors understand that.
CarolZ:
You are absolutely correct about "legit agents taking on unpublished writers." Ask Jodie Rhodes, a literary agent in CA. I'd love to be as successful as she is and has been for the last decade. Also ask her if she also edits her clients' work.
I don't know who Jodie Rhodes is, but i you want to be as successful as her, then you need to make sales.
As regards her editing her clients' work - that doesn't surprise me. The majority of agents will work with their clients to polish a manuscript before submitting it to publishers - but they don't charge for that. They make their money from making the sale.
CarolZ:
Statistics show that they accept MAYBE two percent of what they see. Those of you who aren't successful landing a 'big one' will probably be knocking on the doors of those of us whose names are lower on your list. Because we're small and not-so-well known only means that fewer opportunities come our way and when that happens, if it's a good project, you can bet we give it our all.
The thing you're missing about those statistics you quote is that 98% of what gets sent to an agent is unpublishable - which usually means poor English, no story, no structure, too high or too low word count, etc etc. It's called the slush pile and every agency can give you a horror story of the kind of dreck that gets sent to it.
Of the 2% that is publishable, an agent will take on those projects they think they can sell. They will then work to sell it.
CarolZ:
This does not mean that I am not a qualified editor or that I do substandard work.
No one is questioning the quality of your editing work. Have any of the projects that you've edited gone on to be signed by agents at bigger agencies or by commercial publishers?
CarolZ:
I'd be happy to talk with you, via email or telephone, but I am not willing to post personal information on this site.
I don't want personal information - all I'd like to see is information about your sales history, which is information that should already be in the public domain.
MM