Literary Agents and the Hybrid Author: A Conversation with Bob Mecoy and Kristin Nelson

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Literary Agents and the Hybrid Author: A Conversation with Bob Mecoy and Kristin Nelson

How is it advantageous—financially or otherwise—for self-published authors to enlist the services of a literary agent, especially if they are making a sizable profit independently? Can authors successfully straddle the traditional and indie publishing worlds without creating any conflicts of interest?

At the Romance Writers of America (RWA) annual conference, I attended a panel called “Agents and the Self-Published/Hybrid Author: A Winning Combination” in which agent Bob Mecoy at Creative Book Services answered these and many related questions, and I followed up with him after the panel. I also sat down with agent Kristin Nelson at Nelson Literary Agency to ask her opinion about the indie author–literary agent partnership.

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Why Writing is a Full-Time Job—Especially if You Don't Have a Book Deal

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Why Writing is a Full-Time Job—Especially if You Don't Have a Book Deal

When I meet new people and tell them that I work as a book editor, they usually ask me which publisher I work for. Sometimes I mention the publishers I used to work for—Little, Brown and Simon & Schuster—and they’re impressed, want to know what it was like, if I’ve met any famous authors. If I specify that I’m a freelance book editor, though, the reaction is a little different. People ask if I would consider getting another corporate job, or they try to set up a coffee date on a weekday morning; I guess they assume that I don’t earn a great deal of money and don’t have to go to the office, and they would be right.

What they don’t know, however, is how hard freelancing is. Sure, I set my own hours (a huge perk), and no, I don’t have to answer to a manager (a relief), but I am responsible for every aspect of my business...

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Shepherding a Self-Published Picture Book to Success: An Interview with Literary Agent Brenda Bowen

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Shepherding a Self-Published Picture Book to Success: An Interview with Literary Agent Brenda Bowen

Given the high costs of producing picture books and the challenges of distributing them, self-publishing hasn’t yet taken off for picture book writers as it has for writers of other categories. But this past fall, two self-published picture books made headlines for their transition from independent to traditional publishing.

First, Swedish author Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin received a seven-figure, two-book deal from Random House US and Penguin Random House UK for The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep. Then, Vermont-based writers and farm owners John and Jennifer Churchman received a six-figure, three-book deal from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) for their self-published book, Sweet Pea & Friends: The SheepOver.

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Literary Agents in the Digital Age: An Interview with Jessica Faust

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Literary Agents in the Digital Age: An Interview with Jessica Faust

Many writers today opt to self-publish so they can bypass literary agents. Why go through what might be an endless cycle of sending out query letters—and pay an agent’s commission—when it’s so easy to publish a book independently?

Some of the most successful authors in the indie writing community, however, do have representation. So how does an agent assist in a debut or established writer’s self-publishing endeavors? Can an agent effectively advocate for her clients’ best interests if she’s also acting as their publisher? I spoke with literary agent Jessica Faust about these topics and more.

 

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Is Self-Publishing a Viable Option for Literary Fiction Writers?

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Is Self-Publishing a Viable Option for Literary Fiction Writers?

Even though it’s become quite easy for writers to use Amazon KDP or other platforms to publish an e-book—and use print-on-demand technology to create a professional-looking print book—it’s still rare for literary fiction writers to self-publish.

I asked literary agents Vicky Bijur and Ayesha Pande if and when literary writers should consider this option, how it might affect their long-term careers, and what digital trends we might see in terms of marketing literary fiction.

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