Thanks for this video! It gives a more honest and real look at what it's like to be agented and the relationship between author and agent, which I appreciate! (Plus I feel like we only hear the super amazing awesome first-time stories of authors finding their one true agent when really what "normal" looks like isn't always that, and it should be talked about more!) "Write the books that you want to write and that you love to write." - Yes, thank you for reiterating this! Aww, a form rejection on a full request sounds awful. Very glad everything ultimately worked out AND you got a deal. Can't wait to hear more about the submission process itself! Now I will definitely have to read Jane Eyre as my classic. :)
Thanks sooooo much for your Agent story. I've written my first book, which has turned into the middle of a three book series and was a bit lost as to what direction to move forward in, other than starting the first book in my trilogy. This is a huge help. Thanks and I ❤your videos.😊😊😊😊
Seriously, I admire and appreciate your honesty and sharing from your experience, especially regarding the difficulties, disillusionment, and also hope of going with what you feel in your heart and also continuing to develop our skills
Hi there Alexa, long story short, something inspired me to write a book, I dont need the money (im an engineer by profession not an author), nor do I really care how successful it will be, its more so that I can leave something for my kids and then their kids (and to perhaps tick off a checkbox on the bucket list), I may take years or decades to finish, I dont know, either way it will probably suck when compared to "real authors". But Ive been researching how the whole process works (outside of the writing portion) and your channel has been very informative. I am curious though about that shelved book you mentioned. There clearly was at least some interest from agents, now its shelved, do you at some point un-shelve it and pitch it around again? Or is it dead for good (like no one will ever want to look at it again because it was pitched before). Basically my question is. What happens if you can never get an agent? I was reading about Rowling, and she said she got 12 rejections before an acceptance. Do you know if all those happened within the same round of pitches? I read somewhere that the rights ended up being auctioned for over $100k, that doesnt make sense to me, how can it go from 12 rejections to people fighting for it? Thanks for your insightful videos! Keep at it :)
You may have mentioned this and I just missed it but do you have to be able to go see your agent or can everything, initially, be done over the phone and via internet? The reason why I ask is because If I query an agent in New York, I have absolutely no way of getting there right now.
Perfect! Thank you for responding so quickly. I just found your channel today and I am marathon watching. :) Thank you for helping all of us "Newbies". I've self published twice and honestly I'm getting nowhere with it. So, I think it's time for me to look into an agent.
If you like your first two books that were not published, is there anything stopping you from self-publishing those titles? Are their any contractual limitations?
Some of us are not so fortunate. We spend hours querying agents who will not respond, or who will send a form letter, or who will ask for a full MS only to have it rejected for some vague reason. Or they simply vanish and pretend they never made an offer. Then, you find many of them moonlighting as editors on various self publishing platforms. So landing an agent is important and many people go through more than one, but what about not being able to get one in the first place?
I advise you watch my video on schmagents--it seems you've perhaps been querying some shady agents. Legitimate agents don't moonlight as editors for self-publishing platforms. Agents also won't offer representation and disappear--if that has happened, they are also likely a scammer or shady. It sounds like you've had a rough go of querying, and for that I apologize, but the only thing you can do is keep going. Form rejections are the norm, especially with agents getting 200+ queries a week--and most agents DON'T get paid to read queries; they have to read and respond in their "free time." Books are subjective, and so an agent can read a full and just not connect and say no. Often they're vague or use cliche phrases because writing a rejection is hard for them, too. We've all had the dreaded form rejection on a FULL of all things--it sucks and it hurts, but that's how it is. The best you can do is write a great book (or a series of them), do your research, and hope for the best. Those who stick with it and keep improving their craft will eventually break through. It can just take multiple books and many years. Beth Revis wrote TEN BOOKS before she found an agent and got a publishing deal (she's always inspired me!). Sarah Ahiers wrote and queried I believe at least 3 books--many of which she got very close on--before she got an agent and a book deal. Best of luck!
Hi there, thanks for responding. well there is this thing called reedsy and a lot of agents who are working in legitimate agencies are also doubling as editors. (check it out, just to see) The platform takes a fee so they jack up the prices even more. I really don't know who to hire because its expensive and I don't know how to get the right kind of editor for my work. I get sample edits, either they don't understand my style, they change the work so it's not my voice, want to inject their own ideas, or flat out want money and charge for a sample edit which is applied as a discount for an editorial fee if you choose to work with them. This locks you into giving them some kind of money and i think its unethical. I've only had two people do this on a quote but still. As far as agents go, well what if you have a really great story that a lot of agents like, but they aren't taking new clients? Or the genre doesn't sell well in todays market. I notice a lot of agencies break up and then reconfigure to new boutique agencies that take on select clients. Some people are left hung out to dry after an agent leaves the big agency and their project. It happens. things are changing in publishing. Things really suck and i feel like I am not being heard nor given a fair shot as well as a lot of people like me. We are talented, we have the chops to go out there and make it, but dammit give us a chance. Throw us a bone. That's why people are self publishing.
If you're seeking traditional publication (ie: querying agents), you shouldn't need to pay for a professional editor. I have a video on that, too. So the conflict of interest shouldn't matter in that case, but also what agencies are these agents with that you are seeing? I'd love to hear some names--none of the agents I have in mind as quality, working at the best agencies, do freelance editing. If your genre doesn't sell well in today's market, it sucks, but there's not much you can do. In these cases, I tell writers to either write something else, or, yes, consider self publishing but ONLY if that's the move they want to make for their long term career. The market is the market--and it does change. Agencies that break up and reconfigure are often schmagencies, not legitimate, quality agencies FYI. Look at their sales--the proof is in that pudding. I wouldn't use those as an example--they are bad examples. Yes, agents leave agencies and sometimes drop clients. It happens. But in my experience, talented clients find new representation. I've helped people through that very situation many times. I don't know what to tell you. I get why people are self-publishing and for some genres that's great, but for many, it's not a good career choice. My thinking is I'd rather scrap a book, move away from a dead genre (I wrote TWO books and TWO dead areas, btw), and try again to get a shot at a big book deal and major distribution. It's what I wanted, so I was willing to shake off the hard knocks and move on. That's my view of it. I don't see the point in bemoaning the system--I'd rather make the system work for me. I do these videos because I sincerely want to help people crack the system, as well. And I do truly think that talented writers who are willing to pivot and bear the various disappointments and keep going can and will breakthrough. That's the best advice I can give without knowing a person's specific situation.
Well, my list has people who have worked in big publishing houses, do not work there any more and freelance edit. Some are still agents and are working but edit and book doctor on the side. I have tried everything, and i mean everything to land a traditional agent, which is why I bemoan the system because the odds are stacked against anyone trying to break in if they don't have the right contacts (some agents want a referral).Try being a minority breaking in, a university acquaintence told me about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and all the things she went through to get published. At some point someone gave her a chance and she got it, but not before dealing with all kinds of unecessary BS. I am thinking that things must change for people to be included, because publishing is so narrow right now. I am going to write an article on this actually. sorry about the rant BTW. Your videos are helpful, i just hate the industry.
@@artboxfashion4042 Being a minority has nothing to do with it. If your book is good, it'll sell, it doesn't matter if you're a minority or not. Agents doesn't care about your skin color, they care if your book is sellable or not. I know this post is old but I just had to comment on it.
Hey, sista! My first two books were about kids with superpowers and I called MY characters' powers abilities too! They did not sell very well either. However, Alexa, I will continue to write them because a select few young teenagers that I know personally would be devastated if I stopped writing those books, so I continue to write them. I hope you still write what you love even if it's just for yourself or for a cult following
My book (which is not near finished) is about adventure & teens in space. Glad to hear it might be popular in the future (although you never really know.) Like the info about #MSWL Twitter handle. Would like that "things you want in an agent" list.
Thanks! Yes, keep going on that YA space book! The genre is having a moment and I REALLY hope it sticks around. There are at least 12 YA space books coming out in 2018 alone. :)
I just finished the draft of my second book and I have so many doubts. Would I be ready to write a third book, if my second book fails? Maybe in twenty years 😬 I really want my second book to succeed!
I didn't find an editor... I don't advise authors pursuing traditional publishing pay for editorial services, generally. I had critique partners (I have a recent video on finding those) and I self-edited my manuscript.
Thank you so much. I finally got an answer on this. I do have one critique partner right now, but I know I need more and I am the most antisocial person alive. Do you have any videos on getting critique partners. Oh! Oops. I mistyped. I still needed an answer to that question, but I was looking for ways to find an AGENT. I didn't check my message before I sent it.
I have a video on finding agents to query, as well as critique partners. You'll find them in my Industry Advice playlist, or just by scrolling through all my videos. The CP one was just posted last week and the Agent one is a bit older.
I love your vlogs. Just a quick question. can't a person have more then one agent if they write in different genres? I mean I write YA high fantasy and Adult paranormal romantic comedies? The two couldn't be more different from one another and I would be shocked if an agent did both? thank you for all the information in your vlogs!
You can certainly have different agents for different things, and some authors do, but many don't! You should always seek appropriate representation for whatever you have ready now/that you want trad pubbed (especially as a debut) and "cross that bridge" with everything else later. So my agent, for instance, doesn't rep adult, but I know I might write adult eventually (and so does she). In that case, she said she'd try to rep my adult work for me--so she's willing to rep and sell anything I want to write (and my agency has experience with adult). It depends on the agent.
It's not around anymore, unfortunately! It was an agent mentoring & pitch contest from 2012-2014 where there were mentor "coaches" who picked teams, just like The Voice, and then there was an agent showcase. It was very similar to Pitch Madness and Pitch Wars, but modeled on the NBC show.
I'm still steeling myself for a hundred rejects and about a year of trying. :P If it doesn't work, I'll self publish. But first, I gotta finish editing it. :)
In a similar situation. I got an agent very fast on my MS, and had multiple offers. But it has so far landed with a thud in the editorial world. I wrote another while on sub and my agent is very "meh" about it and even went so far as to say she doesn't think she can sell it. I tried to engage with her about what types of books she would like to see in the future, and didn't get very far. I'm trying to decide whether to break and go out querying again, but with a book that, after her reaction, I have little faith in.
Thanks for this video! It gives a more honest and real look at what it's like to be agented and the relationship between author and agent, which I appreciate! (Plus I feel like we only hear the super amazing awesome first-time stories of authors finding their one true agent when really what "normal" looks like isn't always that, and it should be talked about more!)
"Write the books that you want to write and that you love to write." - Yes, thank you for reiterating this!
Aww, a form rejection on a full request sounds awful. Very glad everything ultimately worked out AND you got a deal. Can't wait to hear more about the submission process itself!
Now I will definitely have to read Jane Eyre as my classic. :)
Love this! The requiring process isn't talked about often, so it's really interesting an informative to hear about.
Thanks sooooo much for your Agent story. I've written my first book, which has turned into the middle of a three book series and was a bit lost as to what direction to move forward in, other than starting the first book in my trilogy. This is a huge help. Thanks and I ❤your videos.😊😊😊😊
Hey girl! I'm so excited you've started your own channel! ☺️
Awww, thank you so much, dear!
Thank you for sharing this..wish you all the success with the latest book that is coming out in Oct ...
Seriously, I admire and appreciate your honesty and sharing from your experience, especially regarding the difficulties, disillusionment, and also hope of going with what you feel in your heart and also continuing to develop our skills
Hi there Alexa, long story short, something inspired me to write a book, I dont need the money (im an engineer by profession not an author), nor do I really care how successful it will be, its more so that I can leave something for my kids and then their kids (and to perhaps tick off a checkbox on the bucket list), I may take years or decades to finish, I dont know, either way it will probably suck when compared to "real authors". But Ive been researching how the whole process works (outside of the writing portion) and your channel has been very informative. I am curious though about that shelved book you mentioned. There clearly was at least some interest from agents, now its shelved, do you at some point un-shelve it and pitch it around again? Or is it dead for good (like no one will ever want to look at it again because it was pitched before). Basically my question is. What happens if you can never get an agent? I was reading about Rowling, and she said she got 12 rejections before an acceptance. Do you know if all those happened within the same round of pitches? I read somewhere that the rights ended up being auctioned for over $100k, that doesnt make sense to me, how can it go from 12 rejections to people fighting for it? Thanks for your insightful videos! Keep at it :)
Yay! I love stories with happy endings! And I love how you share your whole journey here. It's very inspiring
Thank you Kat
Love your videos, Alexa! Would you ever consider doing one on crafting the perfect query? Or where you found your crit partners? :)
SoYoureALiar2 thank you so much! Queries are next, actually! Look for the first vid on Thursday 😀
You may have mentioned this and I just missed it but do you have to be able to go see your agent or can everything, initially, be done over the phone and via internet? The reason why I ask is because If I query an agent in New York, I have absolutely no way of getting there right now.
I've never met my agent! It's a relationship that is typically done 100% remotely. So don't worry :)
Perfect! Thank you for responding so quickly. I just found your channel today and I am marathon watching. :) Thank you for helping all of us "Newbies". I've self published twice and honestly I'm getting nowhere with it. So, I think it's time for me to look into an agent.
If you like your first two books that were not published, is there anything stopping you from self-publishing those titles? Are their any contractual limitations?
No contractual limitations, but I'm wary about putting older, less polished writing up for consumption.
Thank you for sharing! Oh WOW! what a journey! Critique Partners are everything! Great story ;)
I needed this so badly. Thank you!
Some of us are not so fortunate. We spend hours querying agents who will not respond, or who will send a form letter, or who will ask for a full MS only to have it rejected for some vague reason. Or they simply vanish and pretend they never made an offer. Then, you find many of them moonlighting as editors on various self publishing platforms. So landing an agent is important and many people go through more than one, but what about not being able to get one in the first place?
I advise you watch my video on schmagents--it seems you've perhaps been querying some shady agents. Legitimate agents don't moonlight as editors for self-publishing platforms. Agents also won't offer representation and disappear--if that has happened, they are also likely a scammer or shady.
It sounds like you've had a rough go of querying, and for that I apologize, but the only thing you can do is keep going. Form rejections are the norm, especially with agents getting 200+ queries a week--and most agents DON'T get paid to read queries; they have to read and respond in their "free time." Books are subjective, and so an agent can read a full and just not connect and say no. Often they're vague or use cliche phrases because writing a rejection is hard for them, too. We've all had the dreaded form rejection on a FULL of all things--it sucks and it hurts, but that's how it is. The best you can do is write a great book (or a series of them), do your research, and hope for the best. Those who stick with it and keep improving their craft will eventually break through. It can just take multiple books and many years. Beth Revis wrote TEN BOOKS before she found an agent and got a publishing deal (she's always inspired me!). Sarah Ahiers wrote and queried I believe at least 3 books--many of which she got very close on--before she got an agent and a book deal. Best of luck!
Hi there, thanks for responding. well there is this thing called reedsy and a lot of agents who are working in legitimate agencies are also doubling as editors. (check it out, just to see) The platform takes a fee so they jack up the prices even more. I really don't know who to hire because its expensive and I don't know how to get the right kind of editor for my work. I get sample edits, either they don't understand my style, they change the work so it's not my voice, want to inject their own ideas, or flat out want money and charge for a sample edit which is applied as a discount for an editorial fee if you choose to work with them. This locks you into giving them some kind of money and i think its unethical. I've only had two people do this on a quote but still.
As far as agents go, well what if you have a really great story that a lot of agents like, but they aren't taking new clients? Or the genre doesn't sell well in todays market. I notice a lot of agencies break up and then reconfigure to new boutique agencies that take on select clients. Some people are left hung out to dry after an agent leaves the big agency and their project. It happens. things are changing in publishing. Things really suck and i feel like I am not being heard nor given a fair shot as well as a lot of people like me. We are talented, we have the chops to go out there and make it, but dammit give us a chance. Throw us a bone. That's why people are self publishing.
If you're seeking traditional publication (ie: querying agents), you shouldn't need to pay for a professional editor. I have a video on that, too. So the conflict of interest shouldn't matter in that case, but also what agencies are these agents with that you are seeing? I'd love to hear some names--none of the agents I have in mind as quality, working at the best agencies, do freelance editing.
If your genre doesn't sell well in today's market, it sucks, but there's not much you can do. In these cases, I tell writers to either write something else, or, yes, consider self publishing but ONLY if that's the move they want to make for their long term career. The market is the market--and it does change. Agencies that break up and reconfigure are often schmagencies, not legitimate, quality agencies FYI. Look at their sales--the proof is in that pudding. I wouldn't use those as an example--they are bad examples. Yes, agents leave agencies and sometimes drop clients. It happens. But in my experience, talented clients find new representation. I've helped people through that very situation many times.
I don't know what to tell you. I get why people are self-publishing and for some genres that's great, but for many, it's not a good career choice. My thinking is I'd rather scrap a book, move away from a dead genre (I wrote TWO books and TWO dead areas, btw), and try again to get a shot at a big book deal and major distribution. It's what I wanted, so I was willing to shake off the hard knocks and move on. That's my view of it. I don't see the point in bemoaning the system--I'd rather make the system work for me. I do these videos because I sincerely want to help people crack the system, as well. And I do truly think that talented writers who are willing to pivot and bear the various disappointments and keep going can and will breakthrough. That's the best advice I can give without knowing a person's specific situation.
Well, my list has people who have worked in big publishing houses, do not work there any more and freelance edit. Some are still agents and are working but edit and book doctor on the side. I have tried everything, and i mean everything to land a traditional agent, which is why I bemoan the system because the odds are stacked against anyone trying to break in if they don't have the right contacts (some agents want a referral).Try being a minority breaking in, a university acquaintence told me about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and all the things she went through to get published. At some point someone gave her a chance and she got it, but not before dealing with all kinds of unecessary BS. I am thinking that things must change for people to be included, because publishing is so narrow right now. I am going to write an article on this actually. sorry about the rant BTW. Your videos are helpful, i just hate the industry.
@@artboxfashion4042
Being a minority has nothing to do with it.
If your book is good, it'll sell, it doesn't matter if you're a minority or not.
Agents doesn't care about your skin color, they care if your book is sellable or not.
I know this post is old but I just had to comment on it.
Hey, sista! My first two books were about kids with superpowers and I called MY characters' powers abilities too! They did not sell very well either. However, Alexa, I will continue to write them because a select few young teenagers that I know personally would be devastated if I stopped writing those books, so I continue to write them. I hope you still write what you love even if it's just for yourself or for a cult following
My book (which is not near finished) is about adventure & teens in space. Glad to hear it might be popular in the future (although you never really know.) Like the info about #MSWL Twitter handle. Would like that "things you want in an agent" list.
Thanks! Yes, keep going on that YA space book! The genre is having a moment and I REALLY hope it sticks around. There are at least 12 YA space books coming out in 2018 alone. :)
Your candor is most appreciated!
I just finished the draft of my second book and I have so many doubts. Would I be ready to write a third book, if my second book fails? Maybe in twenty years 😬 I really want my second book to succeed!
How do you FIND an editor in the first place?
I didn't find an editor... I don't advise authors pursuing traditional publishing pay for editorial services, generally. I had critique partners (I have a recent video on finding those) and I self-edited my manuscript.
Thank you so much. I finally got an answer on this. I do have one critique partner right now, but I know I need more and I am the most antisocial person alive. Do you have any videos on getting critique partners.
Oh! Oops. I mistyped. I still needed an answer to that question, but I was looking for ways to find an AGENT. I didn't check my message before I sent it.
I have a video on finding agents to query, as well as critique partners. You'll find them in my Industry Advice playlist, or just by scrolling through all my videos. The CP one was just posted last week and the Agent one is a bit older.
Thank you.
I love your vlogs. Just a quick question. can't a person have more then one agent if they write in different genres? I mean I write YA high fantasy and Adult paranormal romantic comedies? The two couldn't be more different from one another and I would be shocked if an agent did both? thank you for all the information in your vlogs!
You can certainly have different agents for different things, and some authors do, but many don't! You should always seek appropriate representation for whatever you have ready now/that you want trad pubbed (especially as a debut) and "cross that bridge" with everything else later. So my agent, for instance, doesn't rep adult, but I know I might write adult eventually (and so does she). In that case, she said she'd try to rep my adult work for me--so she's willing to rep and sell anything I want to write (and my agency has experience with adult). It depends on the agent.
What is the Writers Voice? I googled but couldn’t find it.
It's not around anymore, unfortunately! It was an agent mentoring & pitch contest from 2012-2014 where there were mentor "coaches" who picked teams, just like The Voice, and then there was an agent showcase. It was very similar to Pitch Madness and Pitch Wars, but modeled on the NBC show.
Aww, dang! It sounded cool!
Great video, very motivational.
Thank you for sharing!
Look at you now 🥳❤
I'm still steeling myself for a hundred rejects and about a year of trying. :P If it doesn't work, I'll self publish. But first, I gotta finish editing it. :)
Fabulous videos. Carolyn Shanti
In a similar situation. I got an agent very fast on my MS, and had multiple offers. But it has so far landed with a thud in the editorial world. I wrote another while on sub and my agent is very "meh" about it and even went so far as to say she doesn't think she can sell it. I tried to engage with her about what types of books she would like to see in the future, and didn't get very far. I'm trying to decide whether to break and go out querying again, but with a book that, after her reaction, I have little faith in.