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Comments on: How to Get Published by Referral or Direct Hit with Literary Agents and Editors. Wicked Witch of Publishing Fluffs Up for Media Bistro Galley Cat Book Industry Party. http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/ Tendentious comments and cranky critiques by Lynne W. Scanlon P.E.A. (Publisher/Editor/Author) Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:37:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: James Aach http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1565 Fri, 18 Aug 2006 17:50:32 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1565 There is some good advice here that applies nation-wide. Sadly, building up such an insider's contact list becomes much more difficult if you are not on the coasts or near a large city. And unfortunately, regardless of one's contacts, publishing a book seems to first require having an agent, and there is a very limited number of these. These, in turn, have to make a living, so they must follow the preferences of publishers themselves, which have become increasingly narrow and non-innovative in many cases. <strong>But all that aside, it's clear that establishing a wide range of contacts within the broader publishing industry can provide a better feel for what's required these days, as well as a shoulder to cry and complain on.</strong> (It's helped me on both fronts.) And unless one is willing to do something else newsworthy enough to make the front page of the New York Times (which seems to guarantee a book deal), trying to follow Lynne's ongoing advice seems like the best path toward making it on the shelves. There is some good advice here that applies nation-wide. Sadly, building up such an insider’s contact list becomes much more difficult if you are not on the coasts or near a large city. And unfortunately, regardless of one’s contacts, publishing a book seems to first require having an agent, and there is a very limited number of these. These, in turn, have to make a living, so they must follow the preferences of publishers themselves, which have become increasingly narrow and non-innovative in many cases.

But all that aside, it’s clear that establishing a wide range of contacts within the broader publishing industry can provide a better feel for what’s required these days, as well as a shoulder to cry and complain on. (It’s helped me on both fronts.) And unless one is willing to do something else newsworthy enough to make the front page of the New York Times (which seems to guarantee a book deal), trying to follow Lynne’s ongoing advice seems like the best path toward making it on the shelves.

]]> by: Peggy Payne http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1527 Wed, 16 Aug 2006 14:19:35 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1527 Thank you, Wicked Witch. Thank you, Wicked Witch.

]]> by: Peggy Payne http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1525 Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:18:17 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1525 <strong>Just talking to people about your work wherever you are can work too. I got my former agent through a conversation with a fellow poll worker on election day in Raleigh, North Carolina. </strong> Turns out his brother was a big-time entertainment lawyer in NY. I called the guy on his brother's recommendation, though I was sure nothing would come of it. The lawyer-brother gave me several names of good agents and told me to use his name. And it worked. Or helped, anyway. <em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Excellent! I've got a pocket full of business cards with me at all times. </em> Just talking to people about your work wherever you are can work too. I got my former agent through a conversation with a fellow poll worker on election day in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Turns out his brother was a big-time entertainment lawyer in NY. I called the guy on his brother’s recommendation, though I was sure nothing would come of it. The lawyer-brother gave me several names of good agents and told me to use his name. And it worked. Or helped, anyway.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Excellent! I’ve got a pocket full of business cards with me at all times. 

]]> by: Bill Liversidge http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1467 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 21:04:58 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1467 Lynne, not only are you amazing, you're right. I was going to say I wished I had a tenth of your energy but that's missing the point, isn't it. <strong>It's about hard work. Marketing. Interacting. Selling.</strong> Key components of the writing process. All the same, the right attitude helps. And you have that in spades. Hm, there's a lesson to be learned here. <em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Hard work is right, Bill. Sometimes, if I am having an efficient week, I actually create a mini-marketing plan so that I don't have to think about what my plan of action will be, day to day. Of course, other days I just go to the beach! Any news from Macmillan re</em> A Half-Life of One<em>? I like your book!</em> Lynne, not only are you amazing, you’re right. I was going to say I wished I had a tenth of your energy but that’s missing the point, isn’t it. It’s about hard work. Marketing. Interacting. Selling. Key components of the writing process.

All the same, the right attitude helps. And you have that in spades. Hm, there’s a lesson to be learned here.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hard work is right, Bill. Sometimes, if I am having an efficient week, I actually create a mini-marketing plan so that I don’t have to think about what my plan of action will be, day to day. Of course, other days I just go to the beach! Any news from Macmillan re A Half-Life of One? I like your book!

]]> by: Dave Newton http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1455 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 14:59:17 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1455 Cool! We call that part of Washington bordered on the north by the Strait--the wide channel from the Pacific to <img src="http://www.marconidreams.com/images/DaveSketch-s.jpg" align="right" />Puget Sound--The Banana Belt, because it's in the Olympic Mountains' "rain shadow," thus much less rainy than the rest of soggy Western Washington. Temperatures, however, are decidedly un-tropical. It's cool. Here's a map, via Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Juan_de_Fuca <strong>Oh, all right, I'll print up some cards and get out there. Fortunately I've missed this year's Pacific Northwest Writing, Begging, and Canned Shrimp Fest down by the airport.</strong> And, you might be interested in the fact that Gloria Steinem's been spending the summer writing at our local woman-writers' retreat on Whidbey Island. Seattle Times: http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=brodeur06m&date=20060806&query=steinem Cool! We call that part of Washington bordered on the north by the Strait–the wide channel from the Pacific to Puget Sound–The Banana Belt, because it’s in the Olympic Mountains’ “rain shadow,” thus much less rainy than the rest of soggy Western Washington. Temperatures, however, are decidedly un-tropical. It’s cool.

Here’s a map, via Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Juan_de_Fuca

Oh, all right, I’ll print up some cards and get out there. Fortunately I’ve missed this year’s Pacific Northwest Writing, Begging, and Canned Shrimp Fest down by the airport.

And, you might be interested in the fact that Gloria Steinem’s been spending the summer writing at our local woman-writers’ retreat on Whidbey Island. Seattle Times: http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=brodeur06m&date=20060806&query=steinem

]]> by: Tom Clavin http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1452 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 13:35:25 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1452 Lynne: Thanks for your kind words about me and my book, "Dark Noon." <strong>Sorry I missed out on the leopard-skin bikini.</strong> Looking forward to seeing you Saturday at "Novel Night," the huge fundraiser for the East Hampton Library, featuring oodles of writers, editors, and agents. Tom Clavin <em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Yes, that bikini is a show-stopper, particularly when I am trying to get out of the ocean at Georgica Beach! <strong>Thanks for arranging for me to attend this event!</strong> I'll try and tune into "The East End Show" on LTV tonight at 6PM to catch you live when you are talking about</em> Dark Noon<em>. (Networking pays off!)</em> Lynne:

Thanks for your kind words about me and my book, “Dark Noon.” Sorry I missed out on the leopard-skin bikini.

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday at “Novel Night,” the huge fundraiser for the East Hampton Library, featuring oodles of writers, editors, and agents.

Tom Clavin

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Yes, that bikini is a show-stopper, particularly when I am trying to get out of the ocean at Georgica Beach! Thanks for arranging for me to attend this event! I’ll try and tune into “The East End Show” on LTV tonight at 6PM to catch you live when you are talking about Dark Noon. (Networking pays off!)

]]> by: Dave Newton http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1441 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 03:58:08 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1441 WW: How can I maintain my solitary writing trance when you're always plucking at my tarp? <strong>Next you'll be pressure-spraying my Reynolds-Wrapped windows with Morse Code demands that I attend--Ugh!--<img src="http://www.marconidreams.com/images/DaveSketch-s.jpg" align="right" />writers' conferences!</strong> I was actually weakening on that account until they moved our region's annual July desperate-writers' conclave from its idyllic venue on the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Airport Marriott. No editor interview is worth that. <em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): The Strait of Juan De Fuca (somewhere off the state of Washington?) is supposed to have near-tropical weather. No wonder you toyed with the idea of going. Alas, a Marriott at the airport is a Marriott at the airport. Still there's ordering up a shrimp cocktail delivered to the room upon arrival. (Don't tell Kenneth Fadner, former President of AdWeek and now Chairman of Mediapost.com! That's what I used to do on my treks to their various offices to check on my ad sales team. Another Marriott, another shrimp cocktail!) Go to the conference. Find out who the attendees are in advance, if you can, so you can <strong>target people of particular interest to you living or working in your area.</strong> If there are any exhibitors, visit all their booths and chat, chat, chat. Have your pockets stuffed with your business cards. Exchange cards with others like crazy. Write the date and conference on their cards. <strong>Keep in touch when you have something of interest or value to tell them---perhaps a comment on a blog or in a trade publication that they might have missed, for example. </strong>PS I do own a power-washer. Look out! </em> WW: How can I maintain my solitary writing trance when you’re always plucking at my tarp? Next you’ll be pressure-spraying my Reynolds-Wrapped windows with Morse Code demands that I attend–Ugh!–writers’ conferences! I was actually weakening on that account until they moved our region’s annual July desperate-writers’ conclave from its idyllic venue on the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Airport Marriott. No editor interview is worth that.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: The Strait of Juan De Fuca (somewhere off the state of Washington?) is supposed to have near-tropical weather. No wonder you toyed with the idea of going. Alas, a Marriott at the airport is a Marriott at the airport. Still there’s ordering up a shrimp cocktail delivered to the room upon arrival. (Don’t tell Kenneth Fadner, former President of AdWeek and now Chairman of Mediapost.com! That’s what I used to do on my treks to their various offices to check on my ad sales team. Another Marriott, another shrimp cocktail!) Go to the conference. Find out who the attendees are in advance, if you can, so you can target people of particular interest to you living or working in your area. If there are any exhibitors, visit all their booths and chat, chat, chat. Have your pockets stuffed with your business cards. Exchange cards with others like crazy. Write the date and conference on their cards. Keep in touch when you have something of interest or value to tell them—perhaps a comment on a blog or in a trade publication that they might have missed, for example. PS I do own a power-washer. Look out! 

]]> by: Frazer http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1434 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:51:50 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1434 THANK YOU, Lynne, for your point about independent bookstores! We try to support local authors any way we can, yet many authors seem completely oblivious to the reality of our situation.<strong> I can't tell you the number of times an author has sent me a poster to advertise his/her signing AND PUT "AVAILABLE AT AMAZON" AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FREAKIN' POSTER!!! </strong>(Okay, I'm a little calmer now.) I know I can't wish Amazon away, and I know authors have to market to them as well. But when you're marketing to your local indie, be aware of some of our issues and don't ask us to advertise our competition. (And, <strong>if you have a Web site, why not include a link to BookSense.com, along with the Amazon link?</strong> It may not net you many orders, but it does show you're a friend of indies, and we like to help our friends.) Indies may not have the muscle of the big guys, but one thing that we can bring to the table is that indies <strong>create word-of-mouth buzz far more effectively than the chains</strong>. If you don't believe me, just ask author Sara Gruen, whose wonderful novel "Water for Elephants" is now on the New York Times list, thanks at least in part to the fact that every independent bookseller that read it pre-pub immediately got hot with Handselling Fever. I doubt it registered a blip on the big guys' radar, but it was the talk of BEA. Frazer <em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Hi, Frazer. I was hoping you would check in. Good insight and good advice, as usual! </em> <em /> THANK YOU, Lynne, for your point about independent bookstores! We try to support local authors any way we can, yet many authors seem completely oblivious to the reality of our situation. I can’t tell you the number of times an author has sent me a poster to advertise his/her signing AND PUT “AVAILABLE AT AMAZON” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FREAKIN’ POSTER!!! (Okay, I’m a little calmer now.) I know I can’t wish Amazon away, and I know authors have to market to them as well. But when you’re marketing to your local indie, be aware of some of our issues and don’t ask us to advertise our competition. (And, if you have a Web site, why not include a link to BookSense.com, along with the Amazon link? It may not net you many orders, but it does show you’re a friend of indies, and we like to help our friends.)

Indies may not have the muscle of the big guys, but one thing that we can bring to the table is that indies create word-of-mouth buzz far more effectively than the chains. If you don’t believe me, just ask author Sara Gruen, whose wonderful novel “Water for Elephants” is now on the New York Times list, thanks at least in part to the fact that every independent bookseller that read it pre-pub immediately got hot with Handselling Fever. I doubt it registered a blip on the big guys’ radar, but it was the talk of BEA.

Frazer

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hi, Frazer. I was hoping you would check in. Good insight and good advice, as usual! 

]]> by: Rigel Crockett http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1421 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 18:44:27 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1421 My cabin never belonged to the Unabomber, but my Kohler bathroom is, in fact, an outhouse. And <strong>I'll be the first to admit that mornings spent in the woods, perched over a dung-filled pit with a soggy copy of Harper's in my hands makes the thought of networking intrusive, to say the least. </strong>I'm writing more than I have in a couple of years, but I've also got four appointments I've been meaning to make, and they've been on my list for weeks. <strong>I'll make some calls.</strong> <em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Hi, Rigel! Great to hear from you. Your comment made me laugh out loud! You and Tom Clavin should chat. Your books are of the same genre! Network. Do it!</em> My cabin never belonged to the Unabomber, but my Kohler bathroom is, in fact, an outhouse. And I’ll be the first to admit that mornings spent in the woods, perched over a dung-filled pit with a soggy copy of Harper’s in my hands makes the thought of networking intrusive, to say the least. I’m writing more than I have in a couple of years, but I’ve also got four appointments I’ve been meaning to make, and they’ve been on my list for weeks.

I’ll make some calls.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hi, Rigel! Great to hear from you. Your comment made me laugh out loud! You and Tom Clavin should chat. Your books are of the same genre! Network. Do it!

]]> by: lorra laven http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1409 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:01:57 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/08/08/how-to-get-published-by-referral-or-direct-hit-with-literary-agents-and-editors-wicked-witch-of-publishing-fluffs-up-for-media-bistro-galley-cat-book-industry-party/#comment-1409 Great timing, Lynne. I've just about depleted my summer reading list and was putting together my list for Amazon. Duly chastised, I will take my lazy self to the independent bookstore in town. <strong>This posting is definitely a reality check for writers.</strong> Even though I cringe at the time involved with networking, I know it is just as important as slaving over the manuscript. Thanks for the push! Great timing, Lynne. I’ve just about depleted my summer reading list and was putting together my list for Amazon.

Duly chastised, I will take my lazy self to the independent bookstore in town.

This posting is definitely a reality check for writers. Even though I cringe at the time involved with networking, I know it is just as important as slaving over the manuscript.

Thanks for the push!

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