The Writer's Connection(sm),
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach(sm)

"The Creative Process of Writing is a
Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"

virtualwritingcoach.com
January 2004

In This Issue:

1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. How to Work with Your Agent
4. Getting into Action


1. Preview

The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.

Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.

2. Publisher's Note

January, 2004

Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,

This month we will discuss how to work with a literary agent.

3. How to Work with an Agent

Working with your agent takes patience, finesse, and respect for each other. First remember that you have a signed contract with your agent which outlines specifically what your agent will do for younamely, work on your behalf to secure you the best publishing deal possible, including subsidiary rights for movies, TV, foreign rights, reprints, audio, and other print media. Your agent is a professional and has many years of experience in the writing and/or publishing business. Many agents have worked as editors for large publishing houses and now want to represent the new writers who have a fresh voice. Agents have an eye for new talent and have good working relationships with editors and publishers. They attend many writers' conferences looking for new talent and business. Agents definitely earn their 15% commissions.

Remember that your agent's time is valuable, so do not call them unless you are called first. Email is preferred to snail mail or the phone. After signing your contract, give your agent 90 days to pitch your book to the publishers he/she best feels is the right fit for your book. Many agents will use smaller, mid-list publishing houses for first time authors to give them the exposure and writing credit before taking a more aggressive stance with a second or third book. Getting your name in print is the ticket to success, if your book is good. If not, and your book is not well received by the reading public, then your next book will be a tougher sell. Always be professional with your agent. Do not be cute; do not interrupt their day; do not send numerous emails. Your agent is not your friend. They are your representative and broker for your work to the literary community. In your reading of Jeff Herman's book, look at the descriptions of "my best and worse clients." Strive to be in the former category and your professional demeanor will pay dividends.

After ninety days your agent should contact you with a list of publishers and addresses that your manuscript has been delivered to in part or whole. Some publishers will take the entire manuscript if they have done business with your agent in the past and have enjoyed a successful first printing sales figuretypically 10,000 copies for a first-time author. Other editors will want the first fifty pages to review before wanting to see the entire manuscript. Still other editors may only want a synopsis or description which you have already provided to your agent. If you haven't heard from your agent in three months, then a short email should suffice, requesting a list of publishers to whom your manuscript has been sent. All associated costs for copying and mailing your manuscript should be borne by your agent. Stay away from agents who charge an "upfront fee" for this service. If an agent believes enough in you to accept you as a client, they should bear any initial expense of sending out your work.

Your agent is not a miracle worker and despite his/her best efforts, your book may not be selected for publication. Some of the editors' decisions have to do with market timing; other factors include similar genres published in the past year, competing authors already affiliated with some publishers because of prior successful book sales. Any good agent then looks to secondary sources for marketing your booksmaller publishing houses, regional book distributors, or foreign markets. Be careful to review all offers with your agent who will advise you on the pros and cons of accepting the terms and conditions of any contract offered to you through your agent. In most cases your agent will advise you to accept the terms to get your book in print and give you exposure as a new author. In some cases, your agent may advise you to counter-offer a contract proposal to include more lucrative subsidiary rights in lieu of first-printing expenses for the publisher.

Keep in mind that all agent-author contracts have a termination clause that can be exercised typically with 90-days notice. Remember that any contracts that come in after this option is exercised and before the 90 days expires accrues to your current agent. If you refuse to have the agent represent you within this 90-day window, then you cannot have another agent represent you on this same book. Thus, your agent has first right of refusal on any book deals after you've given notice and until the 90 days expire. Hopefully you and your agent will enjoy a long-term relationship and success accrues to both of you. Some agents have more pull than others, however, and it's always best to strive for an agent based in New York City where the majority of your major publishing houses are located.

Next month we will discuss marketing your book once it is published.


4. Getting into Action

"Getting in to Action" is a monthly feature of The Writer's Connection. In this section of our Newsletter, we will discuss action steps the writer can take to improved his/her knowledge base in writing novels.

This month's recommendations:


1. Have your agent go through any contracts with you by phone after your receive the contract in the mail. Your agent should have notations in the margins about counter-offers. Think of your agent as a broker for selling your book.
2. Review your book from the perspective of your agent. Would you be willing to invest your time and expenses for the next three months to sell your book? If the answer is yes, then you've got a good story that has a reading audience out there.
3. Talk to other authors who have agents and see how they communicate. Pay attention to the working relationship, particularly the frequency and kind of contact. Does the agent request rewrites after an editor reviews the manuscript? How much say do you have over the cover design?


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Contact Information

Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-893-5405
Fax: 281-893-1735
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail: keith@virtualwritingcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.

Distribution Rights

The Writer's Connection (sm) is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or
distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site.

Republication of The Writer's Connection (sm) in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.

With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.

The Writer's Connection Mission:

The Writer's Connection is dedicated to helping first-time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.

The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.

We would like The Writer's Connection to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to
keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Writer's Connection interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.

Archives

You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection at our archive at http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com/archive.html.

About Keith Barton, Ph.D.

Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and for the past 13 years founded and runs a clinical practice in Northwest Houston. He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.

Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:

Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality

© 2003 The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton.