Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Publishers Marketplace is an information-packed site where agents or publishers can report deals, check to see who represents a certain author, follow manuscript buying trends, or find contact information. It’s a fee-based service of Publishers Lunch, the free, one-stop daily which provides up-to-the-minute information on all things publishing. Many agents report every deal to Publishers Marketplace, naming the author, the acquiring editor, the book title, a blurb about the book and the price range of the sale. Yep, it’s the sell and tell.
I used to faithfully report my sales to Publishers Marketplace but my last reported deal was in 2008. Let me explain why I no longer post.
- TMI— I’m a private person at heart. I’ve been in the business world for more than 35 years and I can’t help myself— I’m uncomfortable about sharing proprietary information. Especially the specifics about how much money changed hands over a deal. A few years back we were visiting with fellow agents at a writers conference when one of the agents laughed and said, “I know exactly how much every agent makes. I study Publishers Marketplace.” Our whole group stood there speechless, gobsmacked by that comment. It reaffirmed my decision. That agent, who was so sure of his method, couldn’t possibly have known how many agents only posted a portion of their sales or the exact size of each deal but it made everyone feel exposed somehow. Or that other agents never sell and tell. Another agent regularly brags that she is the most prolific agent in the industry. Now how in the world can anyone possibly claim that?
- Spy vs. Spy— Much of the information shared is actually proprietary to the publishing house. If every deal were posted, anyone would be privy to what a publishing company has in their pipeline. When an agent posts a deal that signals a whole new direction for a publishing house, that agent is alerting all the other houses to this new possibility. I spoke with one publisher who did not like their deals reported. Of course there is no consensus among publishers since other houses and editors sometimes post deals themselves.
- It’s a Dog Eat Dog World— There are also dangers for authors who may have bright new ideas that won’t come out for a couple years. An unscrupulous author or publisher could easily beat them to the punch. This is where sell and tell can hurt the author.
- Entering the Danger Zone— Touting our sales can be dangerous for the soul. Sometimes you’ll see an agent claim that he or she is “number one in inspirational fiction sales” or that he or she “logs more sales than any other agent.” Those statements are loosely based on the data from Publishers Marketplace. I found when I was reporting deals I became uber-competitive as I hit all kinds of milestones and #1 spots. I found myself checking on stats way too often and comparing myself to others. One day I was brought up short by a verse in the Bible, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG) Don’t be impressed. Don’t compare. *GULP* I have had a number of six-figure deals and even some seven-figure deals. I can’t tell you how tempted I am to trumpet those sales. But just the fact that I long to point to my big sales and am never tempted to share my failures clues me in to the danger inherent in this practice.
- Missing the Goalpost— Our goal as literary agents is to build writer’s careers. If I wanted to have more reported sales than any other agent I could sell tons of projects to small presses or indie houses and report those as deals. Those are indeed legitimate deals but the sales numbers the authors will garner on those mini-deals can become career-killers. I’ve been called to keep my eyes on my clients’ careers and off my own. I need to make the right sales not the most sales.
I could go on and on. There are definite pluses to posting deals publicly but, for me, the downside outweighs the upside. What about you? Do you pay attention to the sell and tell? When choosing an agent do you go to Publisher’s Marketplace to do research? Would you be more likely to sign with an agent who touts “measurable” dealmaking success?
I’ve worked for years in a “need-to-know” environment with access to information tightly controlled. That’s a good thing sometimes. Your points about info getting out too soon to the wrong people make sense.
*Still, it seems to me that the effectiveness of an agent falls into that need-to-know category. While a working relationship with good chemistry between writer and agent is probably most important, it’s also important for an author to team with an agent with a proven track record. That’s not to say the agent must be in the top echelon of sales, but I’d want to know I was committing my future to someone who knew how to close a deal. Of course, everyone at B&S does, but can’t anyone claim to be an agent even if they’ve never sold a manuscript to a publisher? How many authors desperate for representation sign a contract that yields nothing while keeping them from working with someone who knows the business?
You just ask us. We honestly answer those questions when speaking one to one to an author or when we are on a panel. Sometimes we needle each others’ competitiveness with a fun tweet about how close we are to our year’s goal. For instance we are all rolling our eyes at Janet each week as she reports sales during our meeting. She’s been creaming us. She’s sold 72 books so far this year and she’s not finished! But all of us make a lot of sales to the best publishers– you only need to look at our bookshelves of client books. Books & Such would put our sales up against any other agency’s sales.
You’re the dream agency for any Christian author. Too bad you’re so limited in the number of people you can represent. Care to look into cloning? Except the clones probably wouldn’t have souls, so maybe that’s a very bad idea.
Ouch! What a set up for “pride goeth before a fall.” I stumble and sometimes fall often enough on my own, I don’t need a crowd watching–and cheering.
*When / if I have an agent, I would rather picture my agent pitching my book–not tallying up the potential incomes of other agents. And while I know that agents need to make money, I hope my agent looks at my work and sees God’s hand, not dollar signs.
*I agree with you, Wendy. In the end, God’s “well done” is all that matters.
So true.
Fascinating! I love your point about getting caught up in the numbers and losing sight of the long term effects of deals. Something authors struggle with as well.
So true, Jill. We do see some agents making deals with minuscule publishing houses just to “make the sale” even if it could be a career killer for the author.
I don’t know you personally, Ms. Lawton (though I heard one of your clients speak positively about you at ACFW this year), but I so admire this inclination toward discretion. May we all have more of it.
Thanks, Hannah.
Wendy, beautiful post on keeping your eyes on the goal, in all areas of life. Comparisons kill. I’ve never heard of this website. But I treasure every piece of information I receive here … Ruth to Naomi: “I go where you go” … my daughter would say that to me when she was little. 🙂 I trust the tested opinions here … if you don’t think it’s wise. Galations 6: 4-5 … I needed that reminder. Sometimes I just have to tear away from social, in all areas of life, to remind myself that I’m on my own path.
*And how that person shared at the table that they know everyone’s income … disturbing. I don’t mind people studying me because they love me … but when people study me for other reasons–like to purposely show me that they know me better than I know myself–sends a chill down my spine and makes me very cautious of them. I don’t fault them for being educated and smart … but the smart side should mean a person knows when to be quiet and keep information to themselves. Where to share. Share with care. 🙂 We have to be so careful … I needed that reminder, too.
We do have to be careful, don’t we.
“Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.” – Sun-Tzu
Beautiful. How I would have loved to be able to sit in one of your classes, Andrew.
Perhaps God will make me a teacher in the Hereafter!
* Or maybe I’ll wake up totally healed one day, and end up giving seminars at writing conferences. (God, Dude…you listening?)
Wendy, like you, I am very private. I have trouble giving my name to a barista!
I also can fall prey to comparing numbers and achievements. I think that age (too private to share that number, but let’s say it is substantial) and the Holy Spirit have allowed me to be more content in knowing that I am trying hard and allowing the chips to fall where they may.
Speaking of giving your name to a barista. . . Marc went into a Starbucks and gave his name as “Marc with a C.” He got his cup and it read “CARK.”
But, yes, I hear you.
I so needed a belly laugh. Thanks.
This is what I look for (in order)in deciding which agents to try:
1: Do they deal in my kind of book
2: How many clients do they have (I tend to prefer less rather than more)
3: If they are on social media and/or blog, do they come across as a person g could get on with.
4: How good is their website at promoting their clients?
I don’t look into their deals record. That doesn’t always indicate the best person for me and my book. If the agency is well respected, that’s good enough for me.
But when you finally get a call from an agent wanting to represent you, that’s an important question to ask. What publishers have you sold to this year? You want to hear some of your target publishers in that list.
Thanks for this look into the agent’s world, Wendy.
* After reading this, I might go to Publishers’ Marketplace to see whom I should avoid. To my mind, the only information that’s grist for the public mill are authors and books in print. Anything more than that seems rather poor manners, a bit gauche, and manners, as any reader of Emily Post knows, are the basis for civilization.
So true. I used to give Leticia Baldridge’s book of business etiquette as a college grad gift but I finally gave up trying to swim upstream.
How sad, that so much of value is now ignored!
Yest another reason I love this agency!! Discretion and professionalism benefit everyone. Everyone!
Also, I try to be very careful when it comes to stealing someone’s thunder. As I say to my kids, “if it’s not your story to tell, or your news to share, hush up.”
In the same vein, over-sharing is like too much garlic. It may smell great at first, but wow, it gets nasty fast.
Wow! I didn’t know you could ever have too much garlic. I’ve always heard it’s chic to reek. I learn so much from this blog.
Wendy, I so appreciate this glimpse into your heart as you walk the agenting journey. There’s something that draws some of us to those public accolades. I’ve fallen into the trap of sharing too much information, or making myself look really good in order to receive those kudos. I’ve put myself in situations where I could compete. And when I did well, oh, did I feel good.
*One thing about this writing journey is that God has really challenged me and been training me not to compare myself to others. Rather, He wants me keeping my eyes solely on Him, and trusting Him with the steps and timing of my journey. That in itself is enough reason for me to avoid Publishers Marketplace.
*I would rather sign with an agent who is effective behind the scenes in establishing a relationship with clients and relationships with publishing houses. Someone who cares more about clients than numbers. Someone who’s looking beyond the next sale to helping an author create a long term career.
I looked for the same thing when I was shopping for an agent many years ago. My agent embodied all those things. My agent? Janet Grant.
When you really think about it, it’s about being competitive and winning. But, as some of the monastic folks say, there is a need to become ‘indifferent’ about the things of the world until they no longer control our thinking. I was raised in a family that taught the thinking of being modest (humble) with accomplishments. My folks and grandparents did not use the word ‘proud’ to describe things, not even in church after my sisters and I sang the special music. They were uncomfortable with people saying to them, “You must be proud of your granddaughters.” They were pleased but wanted to give God the glory.
As people we tend to equate success with worth and value, but that isn’t who we really are. I suppose it depends on how we define success. God looks on the inward self. He values a humble and contrite heart. It’s worth thinking about and keeps us from the humble brag, which is easier to do than we like to think.
This was educational, Wendy. I didn’t know about Publishers Marketplace. I can see why it has an allure (and the danger of misrepresentating facts).
My mom used to always say, “Stolthet går fire fall.” (Pride goeth before a fall.) So we had the same kind of home culture, Norma. 🙂 I’ve come to realize that that kind of pride– the idea that we don’t need God– is far different from the boasting kind of pride but those words are still whispered into my subconscious all too often.
It’s worth noting that Wendy speaks for all of us at Books & Such. None of us report to Publishers Marketplace, for the reasons listed here.
And that, rachelle, is one of the reasons why I have taken the decision that if I am not represented by Books and Such, I won’t be represented at all. You guys are the class of the world, and I’m past being willing to compromise.
Rachelle, not rachelle. Sorry. It’s been a long day.
😉
Wendy – Thanks for this insightful post. I, however, fall into the same camp as Carol Ashby below. When an author is looking for an agent, wouldn’t it help all involved if at least some of this information actually WERE available? I’ve seen agents post about making a certain number of deals in her/his lifetime, but the agent’s website only shows bestsellers…and the most recent one is over a year old. I’ve seen agents claim things like “I’m looking for…” but no evidence can be found that said agent has actually sold the kinds of books he/she is looking for. I’m not talking about contract particulars like money, etc., but authors are told to “know what an agent is looking for” when querying. I, however, personally think a better thing for an author to know is what an agent is actively selling. To me, that’s a fairly strong case for a little disclosure – like Carol said, I wouldn’t want to sign with an agent who might not be a good fit for me simply because all I have to go on is a “What I’m looking for” page. Does this make sense? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
Becky, check out my response to Carol’s comment. We do “tell all” when we are in that conversation offering representation.
Thanks, Wendy!
This is great.
Thanks, Kyle.
I love this gloriously transparent piece. It harkens all of us, whether agents or writers, back to the real values of our faith. Thank you, Wendy.
This was a timely post for me. I feel like my “word” for 2017 would be discretion. The self publishing world has lived and died on sharing #’s for the last 8 or so years, but I feel like enough is enough. I don’t owe anyone my sales or royalty numbers, or my plans for the future.
I feel like if the self publishing world wants to take the next step towards professional publishing status they will embrace discretion. (They have already embraced editing and production quality.)