tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post1575042926794191466..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Question: Querying a book that already has interest from a publisherJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66656301509279302192014-01-21T20:47:31.062-05:002014-01-21T20:47:31.062-05:00If you're with a small press, it doesn't m...If you're with a small press, it doesn't make sense to have an agent, unless you write a book with less niche appeal and more commercial appeal that your current publisher doesn't specialize in. Even weirder is that some small presses want you to have an agent because they're flooded with manuscripts, and agents will sub to them, when these presses either offer tiny advances, or are royalty-only. <br /><br />I can think of two off the top of my head that, while good in reputation, aren't worth an agent's time or money, yet agent's send to them anyway. One offers a small advance, but is otherwise royalty only. And the other has the possibility of giving you an advance, but is otherwise royalty only. If I were an agent, I wouldn't risk anything on small houses. I'd go for the big leagues. <br /><br />This isn't to insult small presses. I am with one, but I plan to write a book in the future I know my press wouldn't publish because it's not what they specialize in. So I'll either seek out a press that does or find an agent. <br /><br />To me, agents exist to submit to the big guys where there is assured money, not small presses, even if they are good. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05180693441535531146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18130683837439234062014-01-21T18:02:59.519-05:002014-01-21T18:02:59.519-05:00Informative post - and great to get some feedback ...Informative post - and great to get some feedback from the other side of the fence.<br />KayChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16267506508468548195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24168753510068653152014-01-21T08:51:02.929-05:002014-01-21T08:51:02.929-05:00I work for a small publisher. Nonfiction only, sor...I work for a small publisher. Nonfiction only, sorry. When I see situations like this and the author comes back with an agent, usually the agent tries to negotiate the contract for more than the previous books—around 10 to 15 percent more. So you, the author, don't see anymore money but the publisher sees less and has to take that into account on whether the book is still viable. <br /><br />So is it worth it? It all depends. If you have a bunch of other books that your current publisher isn't interested in because that's not their vein then the agent would handle those and maybe get you more money or into new places. But if your happy with your publisher and happy in your niche, I would say, no, on the agent. It also goes back to sales and if you have broad appeal or small niche.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15244004664612029086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4077234434357640622014-01-21T07:07:47.176-05:002014-01-21T07:07:47.176-05:00And a lot depends on who the small publisher is. T...<i>And a lot depends on who the small publisher is. There are a few very very good ones out there. There are a lot more that aren't.</i><br /><br />I'd love to read a post identifying the good ones.Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11772310179223546476noreply@blogger.com