I have read many articles this year stating that one of the major economic struggles of the publishing world are rooted in the high cost of publishers garnering books.
And who determines the cost of an author’s publishing or book contract?
We will not attempt to address the poor sales record yielded by many of the books for which publishers have paid 6, and sometimes 7, figures to acquire, 15% of which goes to the agent.
Writers, and would-be authors might want to examine this phenomenon and how unhealthy it is for the whole of publishing, not unlike some publishers have begun to do.
It seems to be a matter of time before publishers decide or are forced to choose between paying outrageous amounts for author contracts–again 15% of which goes to the agent–wherein agents serve as gatekeepers versus the publishers hiring their own.
This seems an incredibly high amount of money to pay for a person do decide which manuscripts they will deliver you and which ones they will not.
What if their desire to garner income supersedes the sincere quest for new and fresh talent?
Most agents choose to represent authors with manuscripts the agent feels she or he can sell. And no one can blame them. Yet clearly they are not in touch with what will engage and entertain readers.
The greatest gift delivered by the rise of the self-publishing industry is the possibility for new and good talent to meet readers unfettered by agents.
Still Alice provides but one example of this latest occurrence. Frustrated after receiving numerous rejections by agents Lisa Genova self-published.
Simon and Schuster went on to acquire the book after a strong selling history.
Perhaps this new trend along the state of the economy and the even poorer state of book publishing that was languishing before the economic crash of October 2009 will urge publishers to reconsider who best to read manuscripts, agents, or acquisition agents who work for the publisher.
Likewise, would-be authors might want to ask if continually sending their work to an agent is the only, and best route to achieve successful publication.
What’s one thing you would like to see change in the publishing industry?
What are or have been your successes and or frustrations in seeking publication?
I was just thinking this very same thing. I have completed my first novel and last night sent it off to a prospective agent. My biggest fear isn’t that the story isn’t good, for I have had enough ‘mixed bag’ of readers tell me its entertaining enough to read or even see in play form, however, what about the agent. What if she doesn’t like it and wont take me on.
I just this moment was online looking for self-publishing outlets. I won’t just let this book set around another five six years without being told. It’s gotten dusty enough. Thank you for that extra boost of confidence I needed, to do what I need to do–just in case.
Sincerely,
Maddie Cannes
Author 2B
Great piece! From what I’ve seen, I tend to believe that publishers are willing to go with authors who prove they can sell but are reasonable when it comes to payment. As you know, most books are geared toward the celebrities or writers who can generate the most sales for the publisher. With the economic downturn, it almost seems as if things are changing as you say. If so, then it’s a blessing for the authors who believe they have ‘the next best thing’ and willing to go all out to convince a publisher to believe in their masterpiece as well. One can only hope.
You’ve stated what many are now perceiving will take place in the market, the readers and the demands through purchase determining what books a publisher will back and not the agents with their guessing on what a publisher wants. Ultimately publishers want books that sell. Question is can and are agents in a position to best determine that? The slow sales of books even before the economic downturn have evidenced they have no idea.
Thanks so much for commenting.
I’m so glad the article strengthened your confidence to take your book forward and put it out there. It’s so easy now to do that.
Let me know what happens.
Thanks for commenting.
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