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.

I nearly forgot....

...it looks like English, and yet...

It's not English, love. It's Urban American. Entirely different dialect.

BTW, Victor's current edition of his online pub (see Press) is highly buffalicious: erika, me and Roz Kaveney.

Urban American. That's why it looked almost like English. 'Kay.

...meanwhile, is anyone reasonably familiar with kids' books? I'm thinking Lemony Snicket, Alex Ryder, Diana Wynne Jones, Harry Potter -that kind of 11/12 year old stuff, maybe? Because I'm going to need a beta reader for the kids' book (now with added swashbuckling) fairly soon, just to have a look at how it's starting out. Feisty kids, swashbuckling, libraries, buried treasure, peril, possibly magic, all that jazz...?

Anyone?

...Bueller?

Fay, I don't have a lot of experience at beta-ing, but I'd love to.

Feisty kids, swashbuckling, libraries, buried treasure, peril, possibly magic, all that jazz...?

I'd love to read it, Fay! Sounds fabulous.