Books going directly to publisher without agent - Page 2

emmawhy · 12-27-2011, 02:20 PM

I know this thread is a little old but I'd just like to say congratulations - have you had a reply from them yet?

sharonsharon · 01-08-2012, 08:52 AM

no, i have not heard, but the managing editor who gave it to children's department said the editor there informed him it would take a very long time to look at it. In publishing time that might mean years

I am hoping it means months. He said he would tell me as soon as he hears.

sharonsharon · 03-13-2012, 09:16 PM

HI! The managing editor got back to me last week. The random house children's department is going to pass but had some nice things to say about my work. I think the main problem is the length. I want to work on it to whittle it down to picture book length. But, as you can see, a manuscript can get into an agency and be read without an agent. Now, I am looking for an agent!

priceless1 · 03-17-2012, 06:28 PM

Sharon, you're making a wise decision in looking for an agent. If you're querying editors on your own, you're shrinking the field for your agent when it comes time for her to query your work. Good luck to you.

sharonsharon · 03-29-2012, 12:22 AM

Hello, I did not query any editors. This editor heard about my manuscript through his partner then read it. I never queried any editors. Yes, it would be lovely to get an agent, but it seems nobody is interested. None even ask to see the manuscript.

If it were not in need of illustration and promotion I would self publish, but this would need illustration and a good publisher.

Libbie · 03-29-2012, 01:10 AM

Perhaps now that you've had the interest of an editor at Random House, it might not be as hard to find an agent. They may be more inclined to take a look if an editor was already interested, even if the editor did ultimately pass.

sharonsharon · 03-29-2012, 07:12 AM

I wish i knew which agent that would be. I think I sent to most of them. One loved it but was unable to take it and the rest did not ask to see the manuscript. I wish i could get help with it. It needs to be shortened.

Amazing that the managing editor liked it enough to even drop it in the children's department.

Deb Kinnard · 04-23-2012, 04:46 AM

I'm not into childrens' publishing so I know nothing about it. But having an agent isn't tantamount to getting your submission read, either. I had an editor ask me to send them something, on a cold e-mail (i.e., she contacted me, not the other way around) and still couldn't get that house to read the submission timely nor ask for the full MS when my agent submitted it there.

It seems to me (and I'll gladly listen to folks with different experiences -- with the caveat that my experience happens to be the opposite) that publishers are just as chuffed to ignore a sub from an agent as one direct from the author.

Cricket18 · 04-23-2012, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesaritchie

Agents would like you to believe it can't be done, but it isn't rare at all, and never has been.

Editors buy good books, they do not buy agents, and they can usually get the same book cheaper if no agent is involved.

Publishers like agents because it means they don't have to employ first readers to separate the trash from the treasures, but a treasure is a treasure, even if no agent is attached.

All this. Congrats!

Old Hack · 04-23-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb Kinnard

It seems to me (and I'll gladly listen to folks with different experiences -- with the caveat that my experience happens to be the opposite) that publishers are just as chuffed to ignore a sub from an agent as one direct from the author.

I think that much depends on the agent. Editors will clear their desks for some agents, but others have to wait in the queue.

Deb Kinnard · 04-23-2012, 10:32 PM

I thought about that. It also seems to me, in retrospect, that it might depend on how and with what level of enthusiasm the agent pitches the book to the publisher. The industry is contracting mightily in my market, so the lesser agents probably have to wait their turn just like authors who submit (when and where they can) without agent involvement.

IceCreamEmpress · 04-24-2012, 02:30 AM

Some publishers really won't read unagented submissions. I had a temp job stuffing a rejection letter that said, basically, "We don't read unagented submissions" into SASEs at one point. The greatest book ever written could have been in that slush pile and nobody would ever have known.

JKRowley · 04-28-2012, 09:08 AM

Sharonsharon, are you a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Editors)? You might want to join this organization. It can be a wealth of information for children's book writers and illustrators.

This is a picture book? I do not think you need an agent for picture books, at least not until after you get a sale. Most picture book authors I know did not have an agent when they sold their first book. Not that you couldn't go that route. Children's publishing is quite different from novels. After first publication is another story.

I would suggest going to conferences and workshops to get the manuscript in picture book length (800 words or less. It may be 500 words now.) Conferences will give you an opportunity to get the book in front of editors (or agents) for critique. It will also give you an opportunity to sell it.

mogajones · 05-27-2012, 05:34 AM

I too had a similar experience.
Through a series of unusual events, I ended up getting published without an agent. I used an entertainment lawyer for my contract, and he did a great job -- though he was VERY expensive.
I found that the problem with not having an agent came later. There are so many little, niggly things to sort out when a book gets published, and without an agent, you have to sort them out with the editor directly. He's trying to look after his budget, etc., while you're trying to fight your corner for the sake of your baby. Conflicts are bound to come.
For my next project, I want to get an agent. Though I want to make sure it's the "right" one. I had bad experiences with agents in another field of entertainment, and so I know that taking on an agent who just offers to represent you because you already have a contract (and they want the commission) is not necessarily a good thing.
My advice is to pay someone to negotiate the contact for you though. It eats up most of your advance, but it's worth it, I think.
.
.
.

Torgo · 05-29-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogajones

My advice is to pay someone to negotiate the contact for you though. It eats up most of your advance, but it's worth it, I think.

I am sorry to say I think this is poor advice. An agent won't charge you to negotiate a contract - they get a cut of the advance, and not a huge advance-swallowing cut, either. And an experienced literary agent, working in the right field, is the person to do this, not a lawyer, IMHO. There's no point getting an entertainment lawyer as well as an agent.

mogajones · 05-30-2012, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

I am sorry to say I think this is poor advice. An agent won't charge you to negotiate a contract - they get a cut of the advance, and not a huge advance-swallowing cut, either. And an experienced literary agent, working in the right field, is the person to do this, not a lawyer, IMHO. There's no point getting an entertainment lawyer as well as an agent.

I agree. My point was that you shouldn't try to negotiate a contract yourself. If you can't get an agent to do it, hire a lawyer.

Medievalist · 05-30-2012, 05:09 AM

If you can't get an agent with an offer in hand, then there's a problem with the contract or with the book.

Having an offer in hand is the point where it's easiest to get an agent.

12-27-2011, 02:20 PM	#26
emmawhy practical experience, FTW Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: England Posts: 124	I know this thread is a little old but I'd just like to say congratulations - have you had a reply from them yet? __________________ WIP:Unnamed YA Supernatural/Paranormal When you are all but dead, where can you hide?

03-17-2012, 06:28 PM	#29
priceless1 Under a messy desk Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere between sanity and barking mad Posts: 1,629	Sharon, you're making a wise decision in looking for an agent. If you're querying editors on your own, you're shrinking the field for your agent when it comes time for her to query your work. Good luck to you. __________________ www.behlerpublications.com and blog ----------- OFF THE STREET: Redemption Fancy Feet Learning to Play With a Lion's Testicles

03-29-2012, 01:10 AM	#31
Libbie Worst song played on ugliest guitar Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: umber and black Humberland Posts: 5,336	Perhaps now that you've had the interest of an editor at Random House, it might not be as hard to find an agent. They may be more inclined to take a look if an editor was already interested, even if the editor did ultimately pass. __________________ Libbie Hawker Blog \| Facebook \| Twitter Also writing as Lavender Ironside Blog \| Facebook \| Twitter \| Smashwords Freelance book cover design

04-23-2012, 04:46 AM	#33
Deb Kinnard A stormy day in Cornwall... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Casa Chaos Posts: 1,772	I'm not into childrens' publishing so I know nothing about it. But having an agent isn't tantamount to getting your submission read, either. I had an editor ask me to send them something, on a cold e-mail (i.e., she contacted me, not the other way around) and still couldn't get that house to read the submission timely nor ask for the full MS when my agent submitted it there. It seems to me (and I'll gladly listen to folks with different experiences -- with the caveat that my experience happens to be the opposite) that publishers are just as chuffed to ignore a sub from an agent as one direct from the author. __________________ THE FAITH BOX - three book series - book one, PEACEWEAVER, now available from Desert Breeze THE FAITH BOX, book two, THE HEALING TREE, now available from Desert Breeze THE FAITH BOX, book three, WHEN THE ROSES BLOOMED, coming November 2013 from Desert Breeze An inspiration... ...I have a serious case of Grobanosis

04-23-2012, 10:32 PM	#36
Deb Kinnard A stormy day in Cornwall... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Casa Chaos Posts: 1,772	I thought about that. It also seems to me, in retrospect, that it might depend on how and with what level of enthusiasm the agent pitches the book to the publisher. The industry is contracting mightily in my market, so the lesser agents probably have to wait their turn just like authors who submit (when and where they can) without agent involvement. __________________ THE FAITH BOX - three book series - book one, PEACEWEAVER, now available from Desert Breeze THE FAITH BOX, book two, THE HEALING TREE, now available from Desert Breeze THE FAITH BOX, book three, WHEN THE ROSES BLOOMED, coming November 2013 from Desert Breeze An inspiration... ...I have a serious case of Grobanosis

01-08-2012, 08:52 AM	#27
sharonsharon practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 122	no, i have not heard, but the managing editor who gave it to children's department said the editor there informed him it would take a very long time to look at it. In publishing time that might mean years I am hoping it means months. He said he would tell me as soon as he hears.

03-13-2012, 09:16 PM	#28
sharonsharon practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 122	HI! The managing editor got back to me last week. The random house children's department is going to pass but had some nice things to say about my work. I think the main problem is the length. I want to work on it to whittle it down to picture book length. But, as you can see, a manuscript can get into an agency and be read without an agent. Now, I am looking for an agent!

03-29-2012, 12:22 AM	#30
sharonsharon practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 122	Hello, I did not query any editors. This editor heard about my manuscript through his partner then read it. I never queried any editors. Yes, it would be lovely to get an agent, but it seems nobody is interested. None even ask to see the manuscript. If it were not in need of illustration and promotion I would self publish, but this would need illustration and a good publisher.

03-29-2012, 07:12 AM	#32
sharonsharon practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 122	I wish i knew which agent that would be. I think I sent to most of them. One loved it but was unable to take it and the rest did not ask to see the manuscript. I wish i could get help with it. It needs to be shortened. Amazing that the managing editor liked it enough to even drop it in the children's department.

04-24-2012, 02:30 AM	#37
IceCreamEmpress Hapless Virago Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6,451	Some publishers really won't read unagented submissions. I had a temp job stuffing a rejection letter that said, basically, "We don't read unagented submissions" into SASEs at one point. The greatest book ever written could have been in that slush pile and nobody would ever have known. __________________ Find me at BookTweeting on Twitter for a book review a day, every day! JUST LAUNCHED: EbookCheapskate, where you'll find reviews of free and cheap ebooks (under $5 US)!

04-28-2012, 09:08 AM	#38
JKRowley practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 569	Sharonsharon, are you a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Editors)? You might want to join this organization. It can be a wealth of information for children's book writers and illustrators. This is a picture book? I do not think you need an agent for picture books, at least not until after you get a sale. Most picture book authors I know did not have an agent when they sold their first book. Not that you couldn't go that route. Children's publishing is quite different from novels. After first publication is another story. I would suggest going to conferences and workshops to get the manuscript in picture book length (800 words or less. It may be 500 words now.) Conferences will give you an opportunity to get the book in front of editors (or agents) for critique. It will also give you an opportunity to sell it. __________________ Jill Debut YA novel, "Divided Moon" - now available! Twitter - @MoonOverMadison Blog - http://jillysbookblog.blogspot.com

05-27-2012, 05:34 AM	#39
mogajones New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 17	Miracles... Miracles... I too had a similar experience. Through a series of unusual events, I ended up getting published without an agent. I used an entertainment lawyer for my contract, and he did a great job -- though he was VERY expensive. I found that the problem with not having an agent came later. There are so many little, niggly things to sort out when a book gets published, and without an agent, you have to sort them out with the editor directly. He's trying to look after his budget, etc., while you're trying to fight your corner for the sake of your baby. Conflicts are bound to come. For my next project, I want to get an agent. Though I want to make sure it's the "right" one. I had bad experiences with agents in another field of entertainment, and so I know that taking on an agent who just offers to represent you because you already have a contract (and they want the commission) is not necessarily a good thing. My advice is to pay someone to negotiate the contact for you though. It eats up most of your advance, but it's worth it, I think. . . . __________________

05-30-2012, 05:09 AM	#42
Medievalist Cultus Gopherus MacAllister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: þone þe in meoduhealle Posts: 22,600	If you can't get an agent with an offer in hand, then there's a problem with the contract or with the book. Having an offer in hand is the point where it's easiest to get an agent. __________________ About.Me iPad Projects AWers On Twitter My opinions are my own. \| Who else would want them?

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