So, I don’t know if you’ve heard the news, but we’re in a bit of a recession. I know. I’ll let that sink in. I was floored when I heard yesterday too.
And the recession is coinciding with the rise of digital media and the Internet as a (mostly free) competition for eyeballs and leisure time. Fewer people have the disposable income to buy books, and if they had more money people would be spending more time on the Internet anyway. These two forces are currently squeezing the publishing industry for all it’s worth (and all its worth without an apostrophe too).
One of the big current questions I’ve been receiving is whether this is affecting what I consider representing. Here’s my answer: YES.
Publishers right now want the surest of sure things that are so sure it beats surety over its sure head. And agents have to adjust what they take on accordingly.
I don’t know if you’ve heard this news either, but there are very few sure bets in this business. So editors have to be really really really really really really convinced that they want to invest in a project in order to take it on, particularly for debuts, and particularly particularly for previously published authors with a mixed track record.
This means that editors are looking closely at fewer projects. It means that books that editors may want to acquire may not be cleared for acquisition or it may mean that the editor wants a revision and a perfect manuscript before making an offer. It means that authors whose sales have been respectable but not eye-popping may not have their contracts renewed, or if they are renewed the bookstores may only order half as many copies as they ordered for their last book.
No. Don’t… Don’t jump off the ledge! Come back! YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR!!
In the midst of my travels last week I became completely addicted to the TV show Friday Night Lights. I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but it’s about a small town in Texas that is completely obsessed with football and in particular its very good high school team. It focuses in part on the coach, the inestimable, talented, and at times beleaguered Coach Taylor.
Now, Coach Taylor is a really good guy. He has a heart and he cares about his players. But he also doesn’t tolerate any dissent and is fond of ending meetings with players with benedictions like, “Now get the hell out of my office,” which makes me giddy every time. Oh, Coach Taylor.
I’m going to channel my inner Coach Taylor on you now and speak in declarative sentences.
“Listen up! We got a big submission Friday night, and the publishers out there are going through some hard times. They want to see your submissions sparkling! They want perfection, and as the literary agent of this here team I aim to give it to ’em! It’s time to look deep inside yourself and step up yer game! This means everything from revising to your queries to your submissions needs to be absolutely 110% perfect. And anyone who wants to cry about it can take off their shoulder pads and get off my field!”
That was fun.
But honestly, we’re all doing the best we can in tough times. There’s more competition at every single stage. I’m getting more queries. There are fewer editors at fewer publishing houses acquiring fewer projects. Bookstores are ordering fewer books. It’s tough out there, and it’s not the time to complain.
It’s time, basically, to look inside yourself and step up yer game.
Luisa Perkins says
Oh, Coach Bransford. *sigh*
Laura Martone says
I'm with allegory – I already aim to bring my A-game when it comes to queries, the manuscript, pretty much everything. Nevertheless, the reminder – however painful to hear – is still welcome. Thanks, Nathan.
WV: idiumpa – sounds like something an Oompa-Loompa would say when he has an "a-ha!" moment.
Kim Lionetti says
What took you so long? FNL is the best show on television!
So glad you saw the light.
abc says
Thanks, Coach! I'm going to go make out with Tim Riggins now. (love that show).
Nathan, is there any genre or market (YA, Sci Fi, etc.) that is less picky? Whatever I mean by that. You know what I mean? Not that I'm going to do anything but YA but I'm just wondering if perhaps YA looks for less of a high concept, if you will, or if it is all high concept these days.
Nathan Bransford says
kim-
I really don't know how I missed this show, but it's amazing.
Nathan Bransford says
abc-
Everything's tough right now across the board.
The Rejection Queen says
I'm happy to say that I am going to be published with no literary agent…still bummed about that but at least I am getting published.
Creager Studios says
Brilliantly Stated… cold hard facts to re-focus by! At this point I would be happy to be the Water Boy!
Jodi Creager
abc says
I'm currently in Deadwood territory. No idea what they are talking about half the time, but I still love it, especially that Calamity Jane.
I used to live in Austin and kept hoping I'd run into Coach Taylor or Tim Riggins or Landry (ok, I know they are just characters, thank you) but I never did. Bummer. Bummer Dan.
Jil says
Did everyone see this week's New Yorker cover? Future Generations. I love it!
Julie says
As another recent convert to FNL, can I just say that show rocks?
I bought season one on DVD because the protagonist in the project I'm shopping is a small-town Texas high school football player. I figured the extra visual research couldn't hurt, though my kids go to school in small-town Texas and I've attended a few games. 🙂 (Not YA, Suzanne, but it certainly has crossover potential.)
I am overwhelmed with the depth of character development and amazing writing in the show. Should have started much earlier, but I'm slowly making my way through the seasons.
And Coach Riggins may not buy books for himself, but you can bet your bippy he buys them for Julie (his bookworm daughter)!
Hmm, thinking I need to go query Nathan Bransford while he's on a FNL kick …! 🙂
Thanks for the pep talk.
Nathalie says
You so rock!!! Nuf said (from a former bookseller)
PS: Aaah, FNL… 🙂
Eva Ulian says
Love the "Benedictions".
Dawn Maria says
Between you and Janet Reid, it's been a lot of writing reality hard talk today! And I'm listening, I really am. I don't disagree with anything you said.
That's why Anne Lamott's words are so important. She advises- "You should work on your novels anyway. There are very few better ways to spend your life."
If we're happy to show up on the page all alone, then we can make it. I have to believe that.
David says
Sigh. Okay, where that's ledge?
Haste yee back ;-) says
Coach!
Tell Henry, no garlic eatin' before game time… gives him terrible gas and makes us dread huddles! And…
I need a new jock strap!
Haste yee back 😉
intotheforest says
Great post, Nathan! I have to say, though, that I've actually been buying more books. It's cheaper than a lot of other forms of entertainment (been to a movie lately?), lasts longer, and in my obviously subjective opinion often is better quality.
PurpleClover says
Thanks, Nathan. If I can get back my 30k words from my laptop hard drive, I promise to make it sparkle. Still waiting for my computer guy to get back from vacation. Sigh.
David says
Aargh. "Where's that ledge?" I meant.
Mira says
Oh, sorry Nathan. I was just trying to lighten up from my last post without actually deleting the post.
I worry sometimes that I take it too far when I talk anti-publishing. But I guess you'd let me know if I did.
Nathan Bransford says
mira-
I think you make some good points in your first post, and another change that I think you'll start seeing is agents who work outside of the mainstream publishing industry to get their clients' works to readers.
Natalie says
Thanks for the much needed pep talk. Must keep running. Must push past the fatigue.
Also, you as football coach? That's kinda funny.
Nathan Bransford says
natalie-
Yeah, I'd be terrible.
"Get the hell out of my office! Um. Wait. Sorry. That came out wrong. How are you feeling?"
Anonymous says
Ugh what an honest post. And depressing. Yet – ! – entirely nescessary and something that's very much in the air (Alexie's recent comments about the Kindle/DRM, though provocative, seem like a canary in the mine warning – your post struck me as part of that larger dialogue.)
I like that you've stepped out of the query posts: some of us have agents and are in the what happens next phase. Learning. Growing. Dating (yeah, like a thirteen year old headed for puberty.)
Beyond writing the manuscript, the submission process seems largely out of one's control (see, puberty, eeuw, I know, rather not but still …)
In any case, being in the submission stage (twelve months & running) of a first manuscript, the post made me – "wonder" if I should consider … what? I don't know.
You advise, '"stepping up the game." Being a sedentary person with zero interests in sports, I had to think about that (bookball?)
Besides not bugging my agent (who I check in with every few weeks), creating a blog (which I haven't done though I love reading them!) and getting blurbs from published writers (how helpful are those to you when you're submitting a manuscript? and can they be added during the submission process? and blurbs from established authors, in general, how helpful are those?), what else does a writer do during the submission process?
All I can think of is writing another book (check – well, part of an "X" drawn through box) and … ?
Please advise.
Bane of Anubis says
It's hard enough for me to find work in the field for which I am well qualified, but writing's more fun, so I'll keep pluggin' away… (just keep swimming, just keep swimming 🙂
Mira says
Nathan,
That's a good idea – that agents could take that role, but they could.
I agree with what some people said here – books are very affordable sources of entertainment, and people turn to entertainment more during a recession, rather than less.
This really doesn't have to be a time of belt-tightening. It's a good time to think outside the box.
Okay, enough chocolate for me. Time to shake it off.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Honestly, beyond what you're doing (and I don't know that blurbs will be make or break), the only thing authors can do besides "keep writing" during the submission process is to stay as sane as possible.
Shell says
Make strawberry jam, plant the garden (hecka late, but better than last year), feed the kids (I'm making the jam ain't I?), give 110% to my writing. (I knew chapter six needed help. This confirms it.)
All on my list of things to get done today.
Cleaning the house is so not on the list. Maybe tomorrow…
PurpleClover says
So will we get a post on these "sure bets" that are the "surest of sure things that are so sure it beats surety over its sure head"??? 😀
Surely you can share. How come when you write "sure" that many times it looks like you spelled it wrong??
Nathan Bransford says
pc-
Basically the surest of the sure are existing bestsellers and a tiny handful of new projects (if any) per publisher year.
Scott says
Thanks for your thoughts, Nathan.
Anon, on your extra step––I don't see it. In fact, I see the opposite.
An agent reviews a partial or full request because they're already interested, which cuts out any extra step right there. Once they get it, they realize the work is quality but for any number of practical reasons decide it's not right for them to take on. At that point, they don't even have to follow up with a letter. They just return an email with a "passed on, passed fit" seal or logo or some other insignia.
Of course they could just blow off a reply, but the author isn't going to allow that to happen. But to receive this "gold star" of sorts not only represents quality feedback without the agent penning a single word, the author can use it as a pass to cash in.
And as ridiculous as it sounds, if an agent did decide to mention something in terms of written feedback, those quotes could be used as blurbs to sell the book. The benefit to both parties (and why it's worth any small amount of time) is that agents can track the success of the book, or "test" a) reading public interest, b) an author's dedication to assisting with the marketing of the book which is often a big issue, and/or c) help break new markets that could become valuable revenue streams in the future.
Let's face it: as the industry sprawls with technology (e-books, etc.), possible business models in the future may be required to rely on small-ticket volume rather than just a few, big ticket winners.
Win-win, as I see it, and no more work for the agent then they've already requested. Less, perhaps.
PurpleClover says
Well then mine will sparkle so brightly it will blind the extraterrestrials.
I'm feeling a bit left out that I've never seen FNLs.
Silicon Valley Diva says
Can't say I'm surprised. Practically every industry is hurting right now, so I would imagine publishing is even worse.
Hopefully you don't feel like throwing in the towel either lol!
Jude Hardin says
Scott:
I don't think that system would be very useful, because agents' names aren't familiar to most readers. A gold star from, say, Donald Maass, would be meaningless to the vast majority of book buyers. Publishers use blurbs from famous authors because, well, they're famous authors. Readers figure if Stephen King liked it, it must be good. That's the theory behind blurbs, anyway. An endorsement from an agent just wouldn't carry the same weight in the marketplace.
Laura Martone says
Hey, Bane! You quoted Dory – awesome!
And you're right – despite the doom and gloom we continuously hear re: the recession and the impossibility of being published, all we can do is just keep swimming!
Mary says
Excellent post!
Nett Robbens says
Nathan,
I'm really, really, really laughing out loud. You have a great sense of humor. However, your message is crystal clear and serious. As always, thank you for such great advice.
Indigo says
And if we weren't all afraid of the big bad wolf – we are now! (winks)
I think in any business venture you have to give it your all. No matter what you strive to do with your talent, the realization is there will always be someone bigger and better out there. What does that leave? Unique and originality? I'm guessing those traits might play a hand as well. (Hugs)Indigo
Jen C says
Maybe it's just me, but I read a post like that and get excited.
Recession? Near impossible to break into the market? Never going to make a living from writing? Death of publishing as we know it?
Let me at it!
The more impossible things seem, the more excited I get. I love challenges and obstacles, it's in my blood. If Nathan was to write a post about how everything is peachy and we all have a really good chance of getting published I'd be all frowny face…
As a PS, I know that it won't make anyone in the US feel any better, but Australia officially had an economic growth in the last quarter, thus meaning: no more recession here. Apparently that makes us the strongest industralised economy in the world at the moment, or something. OMG. Watch out, we're going to take over the world!
Nah… not really. I'm sure none of us could really be bothered… There's more important things to worry about like football and beer.
Scott says
Kristi, that's exactly it. There are only so many big stars to go around, but yet there's a market for other leagues where authors can be spread around, collecting percentages of revenue that require no cost outlay. Who is going to turn down 50% of a couple thousand downloads? Most authors are just trying to make a name for themselves, and a 50-50 split where the author does all the leg work sounds like a multi-million dollar contract if the alternative is to have it wallow in Amazon (not a filter at all, at present) or on the shelf.
And those books that play in these "minor leagues" can target smaller niches that are being left out because of tighter costs and lessening readership. They can be anywhere from those people who love fantasy so much they never get enough and could easily double their collection, to those who like the boldest, transgressive stuff imaginable. Word of mouth would spread fast through publicity and more concentrated efforts, all electronic, all low-cost.
Jude: educating the reading public to look for certain logos would be very easy. Directories could be made, and separate categories created where only "authorized" self-publications are permitted. The idea is based on the volume of books idling, and the loss of more niche markets. Taking your passed fit book to the top of these lists is a great way to break new markets, and I just don't think it would be hard to construct a model among booksellers who try and use reviews to do the same thing. In that sense, a model's already in place.
Hey, I'm just trying to up my game! Or more accurately, trying to up everyone's game. Rising tide, and all that. 🙂
Anonymous says
In lean times the entertainment industry typically fairs well.
what else does a writer do during the submission process?
Anon:
"All I can think of is writing another book (check – well, part of an "X" drawn through box) and … ?Please advise."
the publishing business is full of waiting periods–waiting to hear back from an agent, waiting to hear from the agent if the ms. has been sold, waiting to hear from your editor on the latest round of edits, waiting for the edited book to be published, waiting for news on your next deal, waiting for your first royalty check to arrive..w.aiting…
The only way to be productive if you want to always have more books come out is to keep writing new material. If you're not sure how long a wait you will have, say like you're waiting for edits and there's not enough time to write a whole new book before you will have to get back to edits on your last book, then you can write outlines of potential new projects. Then, when your publisher finally does put out your first book, you will have a "proposal file" of new projects for them to consider ready to go, which will hopefully get you a new (multi-) book deal.
Never just sit around and wait. The biz moves so slow that you should always be at least 1 book ahead. (But don't write ahead in a series unless you've sold the first book int he series).
Vacuum Queen says
I want you to be my coach. 🙂
Jo says
Amen! Quit yer bellyachin'! That's my motto.
Jim Thomsen says
All the more reason to self-publish.
Jim Thomsen says
Also, I would submit that it doesn't matter how hard an agent or editor works … if their judgment about what will connect with readers is off. I'd like to see just as much focus on developing one's smarts as in intensifying one's work ethic.
Lucinda says
Nathan,
"…the only thing authors can do besides "keep writing" during the submission process is to stay as sane as possible."
But, I write best when I feel terribly INsane.
When I wrote the first draft of one of my novels, my day job was waiting tables. After excitedly telling a customer about my aspirations to becoming a novelist, he said that only about two percent of all writers become successfully self-sufficient.
Without hesitation, I mocked his discouraging words with: "Two percent? Great!! Then I have a chance!"
Reality Checks don't bounce, but they do tend to take the wind out of our creative sails.
It has been said that I am not normal…so…why ruin such a rep? I find this blog very inspiring. It makes me want to prove the "signs of the times" wrong.
So…nuf said and back to the polishing…wax on…wax off.
Lucinda
BJW says
Who knew literary people would take things so literally?
Good heads up.
Cheers.
Ruth says
…I hate when people say 110%. I mean, something like "achieve 110% of last year's sales" is fine. But when people tell a person to work at 110% of their best… well… that's not actually possible. You can't be 10% better than the best you can be (100%). You can be 110% better than your previous efforts, sure. But you can't be 110% of *yourself*.
My old manager always used to tell me I had to work 110% to get that promotion. I glowered silently at the lack of possibility of working 110%, worked at the best I thought I could work at (not 110%), and got the promotion. Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah to him.
[/end irrelevant rant]
🙂
litenup_rach says
Hey Nathan – You Rock… No B_S_ — just straight, honest, authentic. My kinda Coach… thanks for throwing it down and getting to the heart.
BTW – I LUVVVV Coach Taylor; you've really gotta love a character who 'gets' the magnitude of his 'coaching' role; takes on the responsibility – to family and team – with unwavering ethics, compassion, and no-nonsense tough love.
Adam Heine says
Is Positivity Week over? I missed it.