Hi! I’m an author of two books who is currently seeking representation. I’ve two questions.
First, if an agent at one firm passes, is it okay to approach another at the same agency? I’ve heard both answers (“yes” and “no”). But I’m wondering if maybe it depends. If a VP, president, or CEO passes, it probably doesn’t make sense to query someone who works beneath them. But otherwise, might it be okay?
Second, many agents only look at submissions upon referral. How might one go about requesting such a referral? I’ve many friends who are writers and I know their least-favorite question is “Can I be in touch with your agent?” And although I know a few people in publishing (not many), I obviously I don’t know who the agents I’m interested in may be professionally connected to. When agents say they only read upon referral, it seems like a polite way of saying they simply don’t want to hear from anyone they don’t already know. Is that correct?
“If an agent at one firm passes, is it okay to approach another at the same agency?”
The agency’s submission guidance should include the answer to this question. Some agencies are okay with it, and others are not. If they don’t mention it in the submission guidance, then you are okay to submit to another agent in the same agency.
“Many agents only look at submissions upon referral.”
I do not think it is true. If it were true, agents would miss out on tons of great manuscripts and new, brilliant clients.
The few agents who say “they only read upon referral” are most likely already busy and not really interested in taking on a new client at the moment. But they will read a recommended manuscript because it comes from a trusted person.
“How might one go about requesting such a referral?”
Pure luck of knowing a person who read your manuscript, loved it, and also knows that agent. There isn’t any other way. If you try to force your manuscript onto an agent, it will be the same as passing your pages/query to an agent in a bathroom stall. Always keep in mind that the publishing world is tiny. Agents (and editors) talk. And they are great at remembering names and novels.
If you try to elbow your way in, they will add your name to a ‘you don’t want this person’ list.
Your best bet is to polish your novel to the best of your ability (with the help of talented critique partners), write a smashing query, and keep querying.
You are welcome. I see you work at Georgia State University. You should check out the Atlanta Writers Club. It’s an excellent club with knowledgeable and friendly authors.
Hi, Kathleen; this is my first time participating in this thread--thank you for the opportunity. My question is more from the perspective of a reader, but I think it's relevant to authors, too. I've noticed recently that there aren't always paperback editions of a book even years after it came out. Yet the hardback is still in print and available for sale. For example, I recently wanted to read the memoir When Breath Becomes Air, which was published in 2016 and I believe has sold pretty well/been popular over the years. It's available in hardcover and ebook, but no paperback (https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-breath-becomes-air-paul-kalanithi/0785a2f0b0e3178f?ean=9780812988406&next=t). Am I crazy or is this different from how it used to be? As I remember, books used to come out in hardcover and then paperback about a year later. I'm curious what has changed (guessing it has something to do with money) and how this affects writers as well as the publishing process. It's definitely a bummer as a reader not to be able to choose between editions (and have the lower cost option of a paperback).
You’re correct. It did not used to be this way. Paperbacks were kind of a given, especially with bestselling books. That’s changed, and here’s why: if the hardcover still sells at a certain level, the publisher will stick with that format because they make more money. So does the author, in royalties. When Breath Becomes Air has been popping on the NYT hardcover nonfiction bestseller list over the past few months. That means it’s selling thousands of copies per week, so there’s no business reason to do a paperback. The audiobook is fantastic. Highly recommend it.
Hi Kathleen! In a recent issue, you spoke about how through pre-publication marketing, publishers make it clear which books they are putting muscle behind, and what that can look like. (White Box Mailings, sending authors to meet with booksellers, announcing/ordering a large first printing, etc.)
My question is... can an author at all influence that pre-publication marketing decision? Or what is it based on -- aside from being Beyonce or Taylor Swift? Any advice or insight most appreciated, as always.
Hi Ann. No, authors cannot influence those decisions. Publishers + the sales department make those decisions based on a few factors, including the quality of the writing, the advance, and internal enthusiasm. Another factor is the budget allocated to the book because it is costly to do a white box mailing & send an author to meet with booksellers.
Hi! Curious to hear what Kathleen says but in my experience, no you can't influence that. Often it comes from sales reps and the responses they've gotten to the book. So if Barnes and Noble loves it and wants to place a big order, then the book might get more marketing push (for example). Or if the book is picked for a big book club, but again, that's out of your control. What you can do is take on some of that marketing and publicity yourself, especially if you feel like you're not going to get much of it (which is the case for many of us!). I hope this is helpful.
Hi Kathleen— My debut nonfiction book (a researched memoir) came out with a big 5 press in Nov. My editor left the spring before and my agent was on maternity leave and I felt pretty lost. I got a couple of big hits in terms of publicity but sales have been awful, and I’m feeling pretty defeated. Where is the best place to put my energy as an author 3 months post pub? Is there any hope to salvage my career?
additions context: it’s about my mother committing identity theft when I was young, borrowing 250k of private loans in my name. The book charts my attempts to get out of this debt, repair a relationship with my mom, and understand my student debt in the context of the student debt crisis (the research piece).
Wow, that sounds so interesting. The first thing I’d do is *really* define your audience. Who is the book for? Then, I’d use your energy to get on podcasts. It’s a great subject for them. There’s a platform called Podseeker where you can search by topic. To pitch, you can write something like:
Dear X,
I really enjoyed your episode with X (listen to a few minutes of a recent episode). The conversation was X.
My book X, which was published by X in X is a researched memoir about…
See where that gets you. It’s a better bet to focus on niche audiences.
Tech is my thing, but publishing platforms are not :)
Most people I’ve encountered use Amazon’s KDP service. You might want to look into that. There’s also Ingram Spark. I’m less of a fan of that because authors I know who’ve used it encounter problems.
Reedsy might be a good choice. They seem to offer a lot of options for authors.
Hello, and thank you for this! I write for children, teens, and adults, which I love but isn’t the best for brand cohesion. I am considering archiving my instagram in advance of a novel that’s coming out in August—a big historical family saga—and making a new grid that’s specific to the book. I have a lot of great visuals to share for the project.
What do you think is better? Allowing my instagram (which is my primary online presence) to reflect many years of my varied projects, or have it be laser focused on my upcoming novel?
I took a look at your Instagram. I’m of two minds here: First, I wouldn’t want you to alienate your audience, but I understand why you want to rebrand the account. Secondly, if you’re going to write more books, will they be for the adult market? I’m asking because rebranding the account for every book is a lot of work.
I think if you have a post that helps transition to the new book, that would solve the problem.
Hi! My upcoming thriller is set at the Cannes Film Festival and I'm compiling a list of media/influencers who cover award season, film festivals, and especially this one. I would love to hear some advice on best practices to reach out to people who aren't specifically book people/reviewers. My book comes out a month before the next edition of the Cannes Film Festival, so the timing feels good. I'm used to connecting with bookstagrammers but maybe there's a different way to think about this? Thank you!
The very first thing you should do is follow the influencers you want to approach. Then, draft a couple of messages. You can approach them the same way you would bookstagrammers. Definitely say something nice about their content, too. Hope that helps!
Hi! I’m an author of two books who is currently seeking representation. I’ve two questions.
First, if an agent at one firm passes, is it okay to approach another at the same agency? I’ve heard both answers (“yes” and “no”). But I’m wondering if maybe it depends. If a VP, president, or CEO passes, it probably doesn’t make sense to query someone who works beneath them. But otherwise, might it be okay?
Second, many agents only look at submissions upon referral. How might one go about requesting such a referral? I’ve many friends who are writers and I know their least-favorite question is “Can I be in touch with your agent?” And although I know a few people in publishing (not many), I obviously I don’t know who the agents I’m interested in may be professionally connected to. When agents say they only read upon referral, it seems like a polite way of saying they simply don’t want to hear from anyone they don’t already know. Is that correct?
Thanks!
Hi John, Olivia is correct. The agency’s submission guidelines should say whether you can submit to different agents.
I’ve never encountered an agent who only takes on referred clients. That probably applies to very high-level agents.
Hi,
I can respond to your questions.
“If an agent at one firm passes, is it okay to approach another at the same agency?”
The agency’s submission guidance should include the answer to this question. Some agencies are okay with it, and others are not. If they don’t mention it in the submission guidance, then you are okay to submit to another agent in the same agency.
“Many agents only look at submissions upon referral.”
I do not think it is true. If it were true, agents would miss out on tons of great manuscripts and new, brilliant clients.
The few agents who say “they only read upon referral” are most likely already busy and not really interested in taking on a new client at the moment. But they will read a recommended manuscript because it comes from a trusted person.
“How might one go about requesting such a referral?”
Pure luck of knowing a person who read your manuscript, loved it, and also knows that agent. There isn’t any other way. If you try to force your manuscript onto an agent, it will be the same as passing your pages/query to an agent in a bathroom stall. Always keep in mind that the publishing world is tiny. Agents (and editors) talk. And they are great at remembering names and novels.
If you try to elbow your way in, they will add your name to a ‘you don’t want this person’ list.
Your best bet is to polish your novel to the best of your ability (with the help of talented critique partners), write a smashing query, and keep querying.
Good luck.
Thank you!
Thanks so much!
You are welcome. I see you work at Georgia State University. You should check out the Atlanta Writers Club. It’s an excellent club with knowledgeable and friendly authors.
Hi, Kathleen; this is my first time participating in this thread--thank you for the opportunity. My question is more from the perspective of a reader, but I think it's relevant to authors, too. I've noticed recently that there aren't always paperback editions of a book even years after it came out. Yet the hardback is still in print and available for sale. For example, I recently wanted to read the memoir When Breath Becomes Air, which was published in 2016 and I believe has sold pretty well/been popular over the years. It's available in hardcover and ebook, but no paperback (https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-breath-becomes-air-paul-kalanithi/0785a2f0b0e3178f?ean=9780812988406&next=t). Am I crazy or is this different from how it used to be? As I remember, books used to come out in hardcover and then paperback about a year later. I'm curious what has changed (guessing it has something to do with money) and how this affects writers as well as the publishing process. It's definitely a bummer as a reader not to be able to choose between editions (and have the lower cost option of a paperback).
Hi Elizabeth,
You’re correct. It did not used to be this way. Paperbacks were kind of a given, especially with bestselling books. That’s changed, and here’s why: if the hardcover still sells at a certain level, the publisher will stick with that format because they make more money. So does the author, in royalties. When Breath Becomes Air has been popping on the NYT hardcover nonfiction bestseller list over the past few months. That means it’s selling thousands of copies per week, so there’s no business reason to do a paperback. The audiobook is fantastic. Highly recommend it.
Hi Kathleen! In a recent issue, you spoke about how through pre-publication marketing, publishers make it clear which books they are putting muscle behind, and what that can look like. (White Box Mailings, sending authors to meet with booksellers, announcing/ordering a large first printing, etc.)
My question is... can an author at all influence that pre-publication marketing decision? Or what is it based on -- aside from being Beyonce or Taylor Swift? Any advice or insight most appreciated, as always.
Hi Ann. No, authors cannot influence those decisions. Publishers + the sales department make those decisions based on a few factors, including the quality of the writing, the advance, and internal enthusiasm. Another factor is the budget allocated to the book because it is costly to do a white box mailing & send an author to meet with booksellers.
Thanks so much!
Hi! Curious to hear what Kathleen says but in my experience, no you can't influence that. Often it comes from sales reps and the responses they've gotten to the book. So if Barnes and Noble loves it and wants to place a big order, then the book might get more marketing push (for example). Or if the book is picked for a big book club, but again, that's out of your control. What you can do is take on some of that marketing and publicity yourself, especially if you feel like you're not going to get much of it (which is the case for many of us!). I hope this is helpful.
See above!
Thank you both.
Hi Kathleen— My debut nonfiction book (a researched memoir) came out with a big 5 press in Nov. My editor left the spring before and my agent was on maternity leave and I felt pretty lost. I got a couple of big hits in terms of publicity but sales have been awful, and I’m feeling pretty defeated. Where is the best place to put my energy as an author 3 months post pub? Is there any hope to salvage my career?
additions context: it’s about my mother committing identity theft when I was young, borrowing 250k of private loans in my name. The book charts my attempts to get out of this debt, repair a relationship with my mom, and understand my student debt in the context of the student debt crisis (the research piece).
Hi Kristin,
Wow, that sounds so interesting. The first thing I’d do is *really* define your audience. Who is the book for? Then, I’d use your energy to get on podcasts. It’s a great subject for them. There’s a platform called Podseeker where you can search by topic. To pitch, you can write something like:
Dear X,
I really enjoyed your episode with X (listen to a few minutes of a recent episode). The conversation was X.
My book X, which was published by X in X is a researched memoir about…
See where that gets you. It’s a better bet to focus on niche audiences.
Hope this helps.
Thank you, Kathleen
Hi Katherine!
I working on creating a short Ebook/epub as part of my platform building and also for some passive income.
I'm a volcano of content, but I'm wondering if you have any recommendations on where to actually build and publish it (software platforms).
If it were PDF only, I'd use Canva, but think it's more strategic to create a resource that also works on eReaders. Do you agree?
I've heard good things about Reedsy, Atticus, and a pricier one called Vellum.
If tech isn't your thing, feel free to weigh in regardless on your experience with epubs and platform-building in general.
Tech is my thing, but publishing platforms are not :)
Most people I’ve encountered use Amazon’s KDP service. You might want to look into that. There’s also Ingram Spark. I’m less of a fan of that because authors I know who’ve used it encounter problems.
Reedsy might be a good choice. They seem to offer a lot of options for authors.
Sorry I don’t know more!
Thanks Kathleen! I'll look into them both.
Hello, and thank you for this! I write for children, teens, and adults, which I love but isn’t the best for brand cohesion. I am considering archiving my instagram in advance of a novel that’s coming out in August—a big historical family saga—and making a new grid that’s specific to the book. I have a lot of great visuals to share for the project.
What do you think is better? Allowing my instagram (which is my primary online presence) to reflect many years of my varied projects, or have it be laser focused on my upcoming novel?
Thank you again!
Hi Nina,
I took a look at your Instagram. I’m of two minds here: First, I wouldn’t want you to alienate your audience, but I understand why you want to rebrand the account. Secondly, if you’re going to write more books, will they be for the adult market? I’m asking because rebranding the account for every book is a lot of work.
I think if you have a post that helps transition to the new book, that would solve the problem.
Kathleen
Thank you so much!
Hi! My upcoming thriller is set at the Cannes Film Festival and I'm compiling a list of media/influencers who cover award season, film festivals, and especially this one. I would love to hear some advice on best practices to reach out to people who aren't specifically book people/reviewers. My book comes out a month before the next edition of the Cannes Film Festival, so the timing feels good. I'm used to connecting with bookstagrammers but maybe there's a different way to think about this? Thank you!
Hi Anne-Sophie,
The very first thing you should do is follow the influencers you want to approach. Then, draft a couple of messages. You can approach them the same way you would bookstagrammers. Definitely say something nice about their content, too. Hope that helps!
Thank you!