Into the Fire

This was sent to me awhile back from a freelance editor who attended this seminar. (As far as I know, the only Christian author represented by this agency is Linda Nichols.) This agency represents Nicholas Sparks among others.

Overview of Presentation by Theresa Park
Park Literary Group
http://www.parkliterary.com

October 26, 2006

• Theresa Park receives 400-500 query letters a month. Out of those she may ask for 1 manuscript. Of the 10-12 manuscripts she requests per year, she may take on one new client. So, out of 5,000-6,000 queries per year, she may take one new client.

• Query letters are vitally important. Be concise and brief.

• The agent must feel passionate about your work

• One of the jobs of an agent is to get to know the editors so that they can place their clients’ books with the right editors

• There are more literary agents than ever due to publishers merging and editors being laid off

• Research the market and make sure you send your manuscript to the right agent

• During an agent appointment at a conference, ask questions up front

• Before you submit to an agent, make sure your manuscript is finished and the best it can be. Be prepared for the agent to ask you to make edits/rewrites.

• Once you’ve submitted a manuscript and it’s been rejected, it’s unlikely the agent will want to see it again, so make your first shot your best shot

• If you’ve already submitted to a house and it’s been rejected, the agent can’t really submit your book to another editor at the same house

• Once accepted, the agent or editor will send you an editorial letter pointing out changes to be made. You may have to revise your book 3-4 times.

• If things get tense between you and the editor, your agent can mediate

• The agent works with the author and editor regarding publicity and advertising

• They can go to bat for you if you get a really bad book cover

• They help you negotiate your foreign rights

• Most publishers expect a book a year from their authors

• An agent can help you strategize your new book

• The bar to publication is extremely high

• A book must sell 25,000 copies to be profitable. The agent will help you with ways to publicize your book. There are a lot of online marketing venues.

• 15-20 years ago there were 20 major houses publishing books. Now there are only 5.

• When an editor likes your book and wants to buy it, she must take it to the Editorial Board and pitch it to them. After that, it must pass through several other approval processes before an offer is made. Theresa stressed again how high the bar is to publication.

• What Theresa looks for in a book:
Fresh voice and theme
Compelling characters
Can’t put it down
Must be able to create word-of-mouth for the book (word-of-mouth sells books!)
Must be able to sell 25,000 copies
Must be a prolific author

• After the book sells, here are ways to promote it:

Develop a website

One word: BLOG!!!

Online marketing. In other words, blog! Visit blogs and post comments–get the word out. Plaster the Internet with your name and your book.

Link to other high visibility websites

Blog trolling: target blogs by book reviewers, journalists, etc.

Take advantage of Amazon’s resources (Amazon has author blogs; links to other author blogs; they make it easy for publishers to get your book online)

Look for tie-ins to your book. Example: Debbie Macomber’s popular “knitting series” romances. She made a deal with a company that produces knitting books and they published two knitting books that tied in with her romance series. They reproduced her book covers on their knitting books, and included quotes from her books throughout. Hugely successful. Debbie also joined Warm Up America and served on their board (WUA is an organization that provides knitted afghans to those in need) This gave her tremendous exposure.

Do interviews

Curry favor with readers’ groups and book clubs–really valuable to an author’s career

Cultivate relationships with independent booksellers. They have opinions, and they can actively promote your book. They will read your book and hand-sell it to their customers.

Father, you know all the intricacies of being published. Ultimately, I must trust in you to decide what I must do. You are the only One who truly matters in the decision making process. I must follow you. Help me to be faithful to your leading, whatever it is. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.