Good advice on how to keep editors happy. More for nonfiction writers, though advice about not following directions or not responding to editors’ calls are sound for any writer.
•Remember the debate over whether a monkey’s selfie was public domain? The U.S. Copyright office says it is.
•The Last Word on Nothing blog talks to science reporters about the challenges of doing good work in the “gig” economy, especially when gigs are paying less and less or just “exposure.” LWON also links to this article about Forbes’ reliance on freelancers and whether it’s benefiting the bottom line at the cost of Forbes’ journalistic brand.
•A visual explanation of the difference between your synopsis, your query and your book. (hat tip to Walk of Words)
•An agent argues it’s a mistake to send your book to publishers before you find an agent. As someone who’s sent novels to plenty of agents and plenty of publishers and been turned down by both, I don’t think I agree. Being turned down by agents doesn’t mean it’s unmarketable, and I think if I ever found myself saying “No, I never sent it to a publisher, just agents.” my soul would curdle.
A few quick writing links (#SFWApro)
Filed under Writing
Isn’t the common wisdom that getting a publishing deal first will, in fact, make it easier to secure an agent who’ll negotiate the contract? (Because agents are just as lazy as the rest of us). I know that Wesley Chu got his agent after getting his book picked up by the Angry Robot open submissions call.
I’ve heard that too–however the agent was specifically referring to writers who’ve submitted but not landed a contract yet. Her view being that if they’ve submitted to the wrong editor at the right publisher or the right editor with a weak proposal, they’ve effectively handicapped her. I see her point but I’m unconvinced.
To be honest I’m on the fence about Reid’s point, too. I’d definitely submit to small or mid-sized publishers without an agent, if I was willing to take a contract with them; and a big house if I was willing to consider self-publishing should they reject me; but if what I really, really wanted was to be published by a major traditional house, or wanted a particular agent, I’d probably wait until I’d queried my top picks of agents. Really depends on the writer’s priorities. Have to admit, after I decided I wanted to self-publish my fantasy series, it was a relief realizing I wouldn’t have to worry about the query headaches.
Although if my top agent picks passed, I would still submit directly to the publishing house.
Querying is awful and I hate it.
It’s easier with nonfiction as it’s nowhere near as complex as boiling down a novel.