Comments on: The self-published author—what does an agent look for? http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/ Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:15:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.15 By: Writing a novel during NaNoWriMo: What next? - Simple Writing http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-46489 Thu, 17 Nov 2016 08:15:55 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-46489 […] many literary agents are not opposed to taking on a self-published author. Many are quite interested, in fact, depending on how well the book is selling and other factors. […]

]]> By: Michael Mckinney http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-46011 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 15:07:25 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-46011 This comment may be unwelcome but I have to ask; Is there ever a time when the intrinsic quality of a written work is the sole measure, the only measure by which it is judged? I don\\’t have a website. I don\\’t want one. I have two books published through Lulu. It seems to me that simply putting them in the mail and sending them to a \\”traditional\\” publisher should be enough. Surely, if they have eyes and a few minutes to read one or two pages they should know if the work has merit. I understand that most self-published books are of very low quality, but a small percentage are not, and an even smaller number are exceptional. I write exceptional literature, works that transport the reader to other worlds. I refuse to jump through hoops and send endless solicitations to those of inferior intellect. I don\\’t care if I sell a single copy. The quality of what I\\’ve written must and will eventually speak for itself. I am Neo Homo.

]]> By: Amber http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-44863 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 16:43:42 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-44863 Thank you so much for your quick response. Once the work is down I will still need to disclose right up front in the query letter that it had been self published prior, correct?

]]> By: jane dystel http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-44861 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 15:22:54 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-44861 Hi Amber, the fact is that few if any traditional publishers today will consider material that is previously self published. I would take your work down immediately and then, if you are unable to sell it to a traditional publisher you can always put it up again.

]]> By: Amber http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-44856 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 03:49:58 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-44856 I have a question for you regarding this post. I\\’m a self published author. I\\’ve worked hard over the past few years to build and maintain a large young adult audience. Recently I wrote an adult thriller. I thought of querying agents and publishers as I felt that my current audience may not embrace it. My teen romances are sweet with HEAs. This is dark, edgy and twisted. But my early reviews were so good that I decided to go for it and release it. However, a few days after releasing it I regretted my decision. Sales are not bad, but they\\’re not as good as my young adult sales. I want to query agents with this book but worry that it\\’s too late. I\\’ve thought of pulling it since its only been out 2 weeks and start pitching it. What is your recommendation? Does it need to be pulled? Is it even possible to query at this point?

]]> By: ULF LIDBECK http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-44487 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 19:32:10 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-44487 I have selfpublished 2 books in English and the same two in Swedish.You find them on Amazon, Kindl and Amazon.uk (Amazon.Ulf Lidbeck)I want an agent or a publisher to take care of the marketing, sale and distribution of my books.I want my books to be presented and sold to bookstores, libraries and by mailorder. Barnes & Noble are interested, but they could not accept my printer (CreateSpace)I want this agen or publisher to work on the US market, not on EU or Sweden.\\\”SnakeDance\\\” is a thriller with more than 20 very dramatic episodes.It was read by Mark Deeley, the Brittish filmproducer who made 8 world successes. The last one was Deer huntere. He wanted to make films of my unique story. (430 pages)\\\”Gerda with the golden hair\\\” is a collection of short stories (206 pages)

]]> By: Darville Knowles M.D. http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-44394 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:16:58 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-44394 I am a Physician of Internal Medicine and have resided in Las Vegas for over forty years. I have written a Novel “Deadly Dance” which has received excellent critical reviews and sales.

I would like to send a copy of my self-published book to you for your perusal.

Deadly Dance, also has a 4.7/5 star rating on Amazon.

Thank you,

Darville Knowles M.D.

3120 S. Rainbow Blvd. #201

Las Vegas NV 89146

izzy3120@yahoo.com

]]> By: Alan Kohls http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-44129 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 00:50:27 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-44129 Who can I talk to, to discuss my book? Self published in late July 2016; needs representation to reach a wider audience and I question the publishers ability and motivation to be of much help. Can I send someone a copy? The limited feedback I\’ve had so far love the concept and the writing. Can I send along a copy?Alan Kohls\”Answers\”

]]> By: jane dystel http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-43871 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 17:44:18 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-43871 What we do is sell the authors translation and British rights as well as audio and if we are very lucky — movie. If asked, we also supply editorial support. It has worked for a number of clients and some of them have gone on to become bestselling authors with traditional publishing contracts.

]]> By: Jeffrey Seay http://www.dystel.com/blog/2012/11/the-self-published-author-what-does-an-agent-look-for/comment-page-1/#comment-43870 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 17:37:57 +0000 http://www.dystel.com/?p=8300#comment-43870 I’m still not clear why a self-pub author, with the type of platform, sales strength and readership you’ve described, would bother with an agent. What benefit can a lit agent (at 15%) provide an author who’s already making a living writing?

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