How Silence About the Realities of Publishing Hurts Authors

[J-Sun]

Kameron Hurley: “Everybody Already Knows”: How Silence About the Realities of Publishing Hurts Authors at Locus Online.

Well-written and argued and probably important for aspiring writers to read.

But I may have the answer to her question about "why?": fear of retribution (maybe even to the point of lawsuits), probably. But that shouldn't carry the day.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

"The agents who don’t return e-mails or phone calls. The publisher whose checks aren’t coming on time, or at all."

Yep, I've had both of those in my time. Recently.

It's no surprise that the SF/F world is inward-looking and nepotistic. That's why forums like this one are so valuable.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

And always, always, check out Absolute Writes bewares thread. And pm people on it. And ask lots of questions.

 

[AMB]

It's across the board. Big Name Agent and Reputable Publisher alike are at it. Not all of them, probably not even most. But a lot. Just because someone comes recommended doesn't mean you shouldn't do your homework.

I'd say read the advice of authors like Kristine Kathryn Rusch, who are out there writing about the industry, and how to survive in it.

 

[Brian G Turner]

It's the same with any industry. You only find out what you need to know by talking to those who already do. And different people have different levels of access to information.

With no disrespect to Kameron Hurley, why didn't she do some research on Nightshade books before signing? Surely she should have tried to contact some of the authors before signing with a small press?

Perhaps she thought her agent would know - in which case, why didn't they do due diligence?

Chron members have raised the same questions here when they've been offered a contract and want further information. Even when that means turning a beloved contract down.

 

[ZombieWife]

And always, always, check out Absolute Writes bewares thread. And pm people on it. And ask lots of questions.

This. This. Victoria Strauss' Writer Beware site is also good. And I've spoken with Victoria here and there via message boards. She looked over a contract from a pal of mine. Very generous person.

As for the article, it was an interesting read. I'm lucky to have found Absolute Write. There are things I know now about the publishing industry that I didn't know and I consider more educate on this stuff than I was before. I know now to check and double check everything. To ask around. To scour the web.

 

[Kissmequick]

And always, always, check out Absolute Writes bewares thread. And pm people on it. And ask lots of questions.

Word

Also, when my agent offered, I contacted someone who was also his client* - I'd suggest you do this if at all possible. Talk to people, off the record, about agents, publishers, etc. It's up to you to keep yourself informed.



*Who posted on AW (and I once beta'd a story for him) so it was easy to contact him, but if you have another way, just as good. I don't think many authors would mind a quick 'Your agent just offered to rep me. Good/bad/indifferent?' email. Same with publishers -- contact authors if you can (Did this for my first two small presses) They know just how hard it is to find a good agent/publisher, and I got some great info, and made a couple of buddies too. And it;s a lot easier to be honest privately than letting all your linen hang out in public -- every author I asked answered.

PS: On that note, if anyone had any questions re pubs I've had experience with (or you even just think I may know), I'm more than happy to answer emails.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Also, when my agent offered, I contacted someone who was also his client* - I'd suggest you do this if at all possible. Talk to people, off the record, about agents, publishers, etc. It's up to you to keep yourself informed.

This is precisely what I'm aiming to do at FantasyCon - I want to know more about what it's like to work with different publishers, editors, and agents.

 

[Hex]

While I agree it's good sense to check up on your agent, I think it's generally unlikely that someone will tell you the agent is awful if they're still with them. Which is why places like Absolute Write Bewares are so important -- you can see there when people have had bad experiences (but you also see their existing clients fighting their corner with huge loyalty and fervour because if you're committed to an agent, you need to believe they're wonderful unless they do something appalling directly to you).

 

[Kissmequick]

It's going to depend really. When I moved e-pubs (under my real name) I contacted a few authors at the new one, and not all were 100% happy. But I could then decide whether I'd be happy or not with what they were describing. What is great for one person (or something they're prepared to put up with because of other benefits) might be a dealbreaker for another.

People stay with agents/pubs for all sorts of reasons, and not all of them because life with them is super-smashing-great, or they are the world's best agent. They don't necessarily leave an agent because the agent is bad.

This is a great starting point to think about what you, personally, require from an agent. I'm quite happy with me and my agent only talking when we have something to talk about. I know another writer who told me he couldn't live with an agent who wasn't able to talk him down off a ledge, and others who get the jitters if they don't get an email a week. I have never spoken to my agent, or met him, and other writers sometimes look at me aghast when I say that, but it works for me, and I'm happy with it. It might make you have a conniption.

So my agent is great for me -- but might well not be a good fit for someone else. Not because he's bad, but because of the way he works, and different writer's needs.

Obviously this is past your initial 'Well, have they made any sales in the genre I write in?' 'Is he a scammer/vanity press front?' etc business side of things.

 

[Bowler1]

I have to say, that after years of writing a book what's a few more weeks doing some homework on someone who gives you an offer. It's a business deal, and not all deals will suit you.

In my professional life, which sadly so far is not writing, I have been in a position where I've been dealing with clients. Put simply, there is not enough time in the day to talk to them all, it can't be done. There were of course a few that call once a week. I usually took the call because I'm good with people, but these calls could be painfully dull and a bit of a waste of time. So I wouldn't expect an agent to be chatting to me once a week, I'd be wondering why they weren't out there selling my book!

If I ever get an offer, many of you can expect a series of silly questions from me, but that is of course why I lurk on here. Right then, time to lurk elsewhere.

 

[ZombieWife]

I have to say, that after years of writing a book what's a few more weeks doing some homework on someone who gives you an offer. It's a business deal, and not all deals will suit you.

I wish you could go around the world and shout this from the rooftops. I've seen people spend months and YEARS (and decades) on writing, only to completely blow off any type of research about:

1. Querying
2. Writing synopses
3. Researching agents/publishers
4. Learning about contract negotiation (Kristin Nelson's blog Pubrants = gold)

There is no way I would put all of that effort into something, burn 100 bridges by writing a truly craptastic query letter (or synopsis), half-ass the research on agents only to accept any contract that comes along.

In short, some writers are too eager AND too nice. This is a common observation I've heard from agents. Dig in. Educate yourselves. Don't throw your work away.

 

[Bowler1]

I've had one of the vanity press make me an offer before, thankfully I was quickly put right with the help I had on here. Yet I could taste the excitement, the old ticker skipped a beat and my dream was within reach - NOT! So I understand the excitement ok, the temptation. Hopefully the real offer will appear one day, until then keep working away when I can, learning and improving all the time. A tough slog, but one I'm still enjoying.