Agent Kristin Nelson expresses her frustration with the industry

Toothpaste · Oct 30, 2009

Uzumaki said:
Except HP and Twilight are really similar. Young adults in a supernatural fantasy world.

Do we need another topic about how difficult it is to break into the industry, when most of us have already experienced it?

I would say aside from the fantastical element, they are totally unlike each other. And when people were looking for HP clones, they weren't looking for stories about angsty vampires.

And I'm sorry I brought up the topic that is so distasteful to you, here's a thought, don't read the thread.

I brought it up because I have been noticing a tangible change in attitude from agents this week. So far I have seen four publicly express their frustration towards the timidity of publishing houses. That's why I brought this us up now, there is a palpable sense that the publishing houses (for whatever reason) aren't taking any risks, and that books that would have sold last year, aren't this year. And it's obviously based on the current economic situation.

I am not trying to be all doom and gloom, considering the amount of help I offer people here and advice on how to get published I offer, I think I am pretty darn supportive. But I think that the negatives can be discussed once in a while without it being fear mongering. I think they should be discussed as a matter of fact. That doesn't mean you don't keep trying.

Look my publisher doesn't want the third book in my series. My completed YA is being rejected despite what is acknowledged to be excellent writing because it is "risky". Have I given up? No, I have several other projects I am working on that might be a bit more trendy. Just because you note the negatives doesn't mean you have to indulge them.

And if you are really feeling inundated by negative news from the industry . . . here's a thought . . .stop reading about it. Are you telling me the title of this thread didn't hint at what it was going to discuss? That you couldn't have avoided it if you wanted to?

Anyway sorry for the derail folks . . . back to your regularly scheduled thread . . .

Fulk · Oct 30, 2009

Roger J Carlson said:
I began to imagine the rest of the chain, which comes back eventually to you and me, the consumer.

Just as when times are tough for you and me, we don't like to risk $10 on an unknown author when we can go with one we know we like. It's really no different.

I will also sit in the "blame-the-reader" camp, although I don't really mean to "blame" them. As you say, everyone is reacting to the economy as they normally would. The publishers are going to look for The Big Book, film companies are going to stick to sequels, franchises, and remakes, and the consumers are going to look for familiar names. I think the consumer habits do encourage this behavior, to a degree, but I don't think it's impossible to break.

I will also second the sentiment that this is not all doom-and-gloom. Things will get better, as they always do. The end is not nigh here.

All that being said (and with little that makes sense, more than likely), I know what I'll be getting everyone for the holidays--midlisters and unknowns.

blacbird · Oct 30, 2009

jst5150 said:
And, as I'll always maintain, if you want to be published, you can do that right now.

Leaving aside self/vanity "publishing", please elaborate.

caw

Fulk · Oct 30, 2009

aruna said:
I don't want to reopen the celebrity-writer topic, but I read somewhere recently that one big publisher told all of its aquisitioning editors to go out and buy two celebrity books each. The trouble is: the buyers of celebrity books aren't readers or book-lovers.

Look at this photo and judge for yourself. That Ladies and Gentlemen, is the kind of reaction publishers love from readers. Never mind the trashed books. That is one Big Book.

Seeing all those trashed books makes me sad.

SPMiller · Oct 30, 2009

Aside from what Nelson actually said, the fact that she's an agent who posted this on her blog for everyone to see is significant. I've often heard such rants should be restricted to private, lest they affect your image in what is supposedly a close-knit industry, especially when the target of your complaint is the very people you work with (in her case, editors).

jst5150 · Oct 30, 2009

blacbird said:
Leaving aside self/vanity "publishing", please elaborate.

I'm not leaving it aside. That's the point. If someone wants to be "published," that's one route among many.

We can all go play pick-up baseball or beer league softball at the park. It's the million other hours of exercise, experience, sweat, toil, preparation and dedication that gets someone to the big leagues. Similarly, there are plenty of people in the independent film industry who are just fine working small films and motion pictures that will never crack Paramount's door step.

My point, as it always is, is that there are people who want to be published and those who want fame, power and money that comes from being published by a big publishing company.

To the agent's point, the pressure is the same felt by film producers who have to, well, produce. And the digital domain is reeping ever closer to making books nothing more than data in the same way that V'ger did to those starships at the start of the first Star Trek movie.

My bolder, underscored point is the same as a myriad others here: Write well. Pitch well. Get published.

AbsolutelyCate · Oct 30, 2009

Kitty Pryde said:
Yes. I agree with everything you said. And now I'm off to write my YA novel about a filthy alcoholic dreadlocked pirate sparkly cold vampire plucky wizarding student who falls in love with a personality-less doormat of a girl and then wacky antics ensue. I should be doing the backstroke in my giant swimming pool of money by 2010

In seriousness, yes, it's scary that there's a trend of wanting more stuff like the old stuff, and less new sorts of stuff. This noob writer is going to keep on writing what I'm passionate and polishing it till it shines, though.

Bwahbwahbwah!!! RFLMAO. Can I beta that Sparkly Spectacular Wizardly Teen Agnst Were-shifter Book!!!!

mamaesme · Oct 30, 2009

Throwing my two cents in. Everyone is looking for the 'next big thing' right now in any industry. The boom that Apple got from the ipod and iphone, the money Twilight and Harry Potter brought in, and all those similar situations - it doesn't matter what industry, everyone needs that boost right now.

But no one really knows what the 'next big thing' is going to be. They can test on groups, they can hype, but they really don't have a clue. Until the public either hates it or goes nuts, everyone in the business is holding their breath and praying that it works. We're a fickle group to try and predict. One year we hate the tv show Moonlight, and the next, vampire's are the hottest thing out there. The industry is playing a game and trying to predict what will bring in the money. Sometimes they fail miserably and others, they don't see coming.

Side note: The basic storyline of a kid going on a quest with fantasy characters is jumping. Many people are hoping lightning strikes twice wit the the Percy Jackson series and HP crowd. Other are hoping The Mortal Instruments trilogy is the new Twilight series. (Both series are are being made into movies right now)

RainbowDragon · Oct 30, 2009

Toothpaste said:
Look my publisher doesn't want the third book in my series. My completed YA is being rejected despite what is acknowledged to be excellent writing because it is "risky".

I am surprised and sorry to hear this. Can you shop book 3 to other publishers, too, or will they revisit it again after a period of time has passed?

Would be a shame for a series to end prematurely because of the recession.

AbsolutelyCate · Oct 30, 2009

TrixieLox said:
I just keep thinking 'why'd the hell did I wait until now, during the most dire economic shambles in recent history, to write my first novel?'

*sigh*

I hear ya.

blacbird · Oct 30, 2009

jst5150 said:
My bolder, underscored point is the same as a myriad others here: Write well. Pitch well. Get published.

The writer can influence the first two, at least to some extent. The third remains a complete crapshoot, as far as I can tell.

caw

jst5150 · Oct 30, 2009

blacbird said:
The writer can influence the first two, at least to some extent. The third remains a complete crapshoot, as far as I can tell.

It's a sale, like any other. Either sell it, or don't.

Phaeal · Oct 30, 2009

aruna said:
I don't want to reopen the celebrity-writer topic, but I read somewhere recently that one big publisher told all of its aquisitioning editors to go out and buy two celebrity books each. The trouble is: the buyers of celebrity books aren't readers or book-lovers.

Look at this photo and judge for yourself. That Ladies and Gentlemen, is the kind of reaction publishers love from readers. Never mind the trashed books. That is one Big Book.

Wow. When "my" Borders held a signing for local hero, champion boxer Vinnie Paz, the crowd was positively genteel compared to this one. Man. Sad sad sad people.

HJW · Oct 31, 2009

Fulk said:
Seeing all those trashed books makes me sad.

Me too. Poor books.

sydney · Oct 31, 2009

mamaesme said:
Throwing my two cents in. Everyone is looking for the 'next big thing' right now in any industry. The boom that Apple got from the ipod and iphone, the money Twilight and Harry Potter brought in, and all those similar situations - it doesn't matter what industry, everyone needs that boost right now.

But no one really knows what the 'next big thing' is going to be. They can test on groups, they can hype, but they really don't have a clue. Until the public either hates it or goes nuts, everyone in the business is holding their breath and praying that it works. We're a fickle group to try and predict. One year we hate the tv show Moonlight, and the next, vampire's are the hottest thing out there. The industry is playing a game and trying to predict what will bring in the money. Sometimes they fail miserably and others, they don't see coming.

Side note: The basic storyline of a kid going on a quest with fantasy characters is jumping. Many people are hoping lightning strikes twice wit the the Percy Jackson series and HP crowd. Other are hoping The Mortal Instruments trilogy is the new Twilight series. (Both series are are being made into movies right now)

I think that makes sense--at any point if you can write the "next big thing," you're set. I'm not saying people should write with that mentality. I'm just saying that makes perfect sense.

Fickle people! I loved Moonlight lol

Seriously, the fantasy thing seems to be getting pretty popular. I don't really think PJ is going to do well, but that's just me. As for MI, also not seeing it get that far. Still, there's time...

Well, I think I should head back to my stalled paranormal WIP and inject some fantasy into it

TrixieLox · Nov 1, 2009

Toothpaste, I just wanted to say this thread was really useful and I think you're great, always offering help on AW etc when you must be pretty busy yourself, and also providing thought-provoking discussions and posts. Mucho appreciated by many of us.

Sorry to hear about Book 3 and YA, such a shame cos you're a great writer. But lovin' your attitude. Good luck with it all...

Agent Kristin Nelson expresses her frustration with the industry

Toothpaste

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Fulk

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