Comments on: The Realities of the Industry – care for a domino?

By: Kate Lord Brown

Kate Lord Brown — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:12:03 +0000

Great article – and heartening news for a new author. Many thanks!

By: lynnpricewrites

lynnpricewrites — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:56:56 +0000

No, you’re right, Carol. I’m as confused as you. Sowwy.

By: Carol Benedict

Carol Benedict — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:34:59 +0000

It’s confusing. The blog comment says: Michelle Howry at Touchstone Fireside, at auction, for publication in Fall 2009, by Alison Fargis at Stonesong Press (world).
It sounds like Stonesong Press is publishing it, and they are the one I was referring to, but isn’t Touchstone Fireside an imprint of Simon & Schuster Publishers? Do I have it backwards?

By: lynnpricewrites

lynnpricewrites — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:45:08 +0000

do you think it best for a new author interested in working with a small press to pursue getting an agent first
Absolutely. Agents are everyone’s best friends. Agents know how to sell their client’s work and make it mouthwatering. I’m more likely to read something they’ve sent me than had the author sent it herself.

I read about an agented deal with a small press that lists themselves as a “book developer.”
Hmm. Sounds like a book packager/book doctor, or maybe a ghost writer or indie editor. Hardly sounds like a “sale” to me. Who’s the publisher? This will help me answer your question as to the difference between them and a trade press.

By: Carol Benedict

Carol Benedict — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:33:34 +0000

Thank you for the encouraging ending of your post.

I’m working on the education part, and have a couple of questions. Since competition is increasing, do you think it best for a new author interested in working with a small press to pursue getting an agent first, or to submit directly to the editor of small presses that indicate they are open to author queries?

Also, on another blog I read about an agented deal with a small press that lists themselves as a “book developer.” What is the difference between a book developer and a trade publisher? Is that the same as a subsidy publisher or POD?

By: lynnpricewrites

lynnpricewrites — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:01:31 +0000

Alex, I wouldn’t worry so much about writing the “big bucker,” but rather, writing what you want to write and ensuring you have the means to pitch and promote it. After all, you presumably began writing because you had a story burning inside of you, not looking for retirement. In truth, none of us can set out to write a huge hit because we don’t know if we’ll be successful in that venture. We should write where our passion takes us, while keeping an eye on the elements that can sell our stories.

By: Alex P.

Alex P. — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:55:37 +0000

Hey, thanks for the insight!

It’s interesting that you call the current status of the publishing biz a boon for small publishers, with more and more agents turning to you rather than to the big boys.

So I guess I’ll keep plugging along with my current rewrite. And if I don’t find any takers, I’ll just go ahead and try to write, as you say, a “big-bucker.” You know, something about Jesus or a vampire. Or dogs. A cute pup on the cover always works.

Thanks again.