Before we get to the results of this year’s poll, first, the caveats. This is unscientific, the poll audience changes from year to year and, because I’m a former literary agent known for my advice on query letters in particularly, the traditional crowd is probably over-represented relative to the book world as a whole. Still… […]
Publishing Industry
How do you plan to publish your work in progress? (2021)
There are more options than ever for authors seeking to publish a book. Has that affected how you’re considering your options? Has the pandemic affected your thinking? Time for my annual poll! Yes yes, this is unscientific as my readership changes through time, but it’s still an interesting look at this moment in the publishing […]
For the real threshold for traditional publication, look at debuts
It’s not a secret that the quality of books published by traditional publishers varies greatly. Some are breathtakingly magical, some read like lukewarm porridge. I personally have long felt that authors cast too many aspersions against traditionally published books and underrate how good they really are, particularly if you’ve never read slush to get a […]
We need to talk about email thread etiquette
If you don’t know what an email thread is and why it is imperative that you respect their integrity when corresponding with publishing professionals, well…. please pull up a chair. We need to talk. Literary agents and other publishing professionals are very, very busy people. At any given time, a literary agent may be corresponding […]
Apply for the WNDB mentorship program!
Applications are open for We Need Diverse Books’ mentorship program, which pairs children’s book authors and illustrators from underrepresented communities or who are working on book featuring a diverse protagonist with an experienced writer or illustrator. The mentors and mentees work together for an entire year and applications are open until October 31, 2020. Check […]
How to format a manuscript
Proper formatting is by far the easiest thing you can do to make your book project appear as professional as possible to literary agents and the various professionals you will work with throughout the publication process. There isn’t an ironclad industry standard format for manuscripts that’s as exacting as, say, a Chicago Manual of Style. […]
