Yup. There is the one weird thing. Some small houses specifically do want unsolicited proposals and say NOT to send a one page query - they only look at full proposals. Don't know why they would take that approach - but if that is what they want....

so send the query to the name, not the slush pile - even if the name is a bigwig?

Sure.

What did the receptionist actually say about the slush pile? Because you certainly don't send stuff to "Slush Pile". It's probably an assistant or an intern who handles it, or you'd just address it to "Editorial Department".

Well there are some places that specifically say not to query - that want proposals straight out.

Yup. It cuts out that middle step, of you asking, and them inviting, and you sending stuff. The idea is to follow whatever guidelines a publisher makes known. And the trick is to remember that they're often as vague and unhelpful as possible, because no matter what, publishers always have about six zillion more queries/submissions than they want. The publisher I worked for always says on the phone that it doesn't accept unagented submissions. But they do -- always have, probably always will. It's just one more way to cut down the volume of mail.

And no matter what, with a mainstream house, the accepted wisdom is going to be that most valuable submissions come from an agent. And not just any agent -- people with experience and a track record in the business. Which is why I also tell people it's always better to have no agent than a bad one.

Is my guess right though that a book with a small market is not going to get an agent? I mean the title "Cooling It! No Hair Shirts Solutiosn to Global Warming" makes it sound like there is a bigger market than there really is - cause it makes the case by covering a lot of little things not a few big ones and goes into enough detail for each one to be convincing. I think there is still a market, but a small one cause not room for a lot of story telling or ancedotes. It is well written for what it is - a book that not only makes but proves a case. But am I right in thinking that this is definitely a small press book - which means unagented for a first time writer? Or would a good agent consider a book like this? It there a reasonable chance she would get paid if it is well executed - which it is.

(I just asked the receptionist who query letters should be directed towards. She named a person who I looked up and was the most recently hired associate editor.)

Is my guess right though that a book with a small market is not going to get an agent?

There's no definitive answer to that, although I will say this: Agents want to represent authors, not books. The difference? Authors will keep producing, and there's every hope they'll keep selling, which makes the agent income. One book, unless it's Tom Cruise's memoir or something, isn't usually going to be a smart investment.

Non-fiction is also a different animal than fiction. The buzzword here is platform -- as in what the author brings to the table as a built-in readership. Do you write a column for a big paper? Do you speak at workshops or conferences on your book's topic? Do you have a web site with a certain amount of traffic? Also considered are credentials for writing about the topic you've chosen.

It there a reasonable chance she would get paid if it is well executed - which it is.

If an agent signs you, and then sells your book, s/he will get a cut of the money. Doesn't matter how well-executed it is. Whether or not an agent would want to represent you is another issue, and unfortunately I don't have a lot of experience with non-fiction agents (as in names to suggest) because I edited mostly fiction (and mostly romance, at that).

Right the question is a cut of how much. If the advance is small then her cut is small.

The reference books said that if you aim at small publishers as first time writer you won't get an agent. The reference books don't always know what they are talking about - but it seems sensible. I do have a platform and marketing plan and a a second book. But do agents want to take on a first book where they won't get paid well for their time in hopes of a long term relationship? Wouldn't their attitude be "sell that first book and then we'll talk"?

Wouldn't their attitude be "sell that first book and then we'll talk"?

It shouldn't be, although it sometimes is. And certainly a small advance would garner a smaller cut, but the percentage is usually the same -- around 15%. If an agent works with small presses, then s/he knows what the advances are like anyway.

So it sounds like I might be better off trying to get an agent rather than approaching pubishers directly? I was doing the direct approach only because I assumde that I had essentially no chance of getting an agent. But you are saying that is not neccesarily so?

Gar, I have no idea with small presses. If they accept queries, then go ahead and query them -- it can't hurt if they accept them.

Also, there's the whole "you never know until you ask" thing. If you don't get a bite from a publisher, try some agents. One thing about publishing is you have to just keep plugging away it, make lists of the appropriate editors and/or agents to send your work to, and get it out there.

OK - I took the plugging away thing to heart. It just did not occur to me that I might have a chance with agents too. Thanks.

Photo #9

Sunshine Girl

She remembered that train trip. She’d taken the Sunshine Special down to San Antonio for orientation day at the University of the Incarnate Word. Catholic, but it was known for having a good program in fashion design. She’d been so excited to be there, all flappered up and ready to take the design world by storm—short skirt, drop-waist and bobbed hair. Curly, unfortunately, and far from the straight curtain of Louise Brooks, whom she idolized. Along with Coco Chanel. She cried when Papa picked her up in November, he needed the money to keep making payments on the Packard.