Ask Daphne! About the Marketplace
I've decided the Ask Daphne posts lacked a certain style, so much like the images that grace all my other blog posts, I'm going to add some here, too. And what else but shoes?
Today, Bill writes,
Have you ever heard of an author finding a publisher or agent by posting on the Publishers Marketplace right board? Do you ever search them or glance at them? I'm trying to decide if that's worth doing.
Honestly, Bill? No, I haven't. I can't speak for other agents, but I barely have time to get through all the queries that are sent to me, never mind seeking out postings of material on Publishers Marketplace or in other locations. Which isn't to say it doesn't happen, but I wonder if it isn't like that old Hollywood story of the girl getting discovered at the counter at Scraff's Drugstore -- it happened once, so everyone hopes it may happen again, and they just keep showing up.
I have found authors online, but usually through blog links or via websites I'm already reading. Sorry for the dismaying answer, but hey -- pretty shoes!
Do all agents (American agents) post their sales on PM?
Thanks!
nothing to add, except... I love the shoes!
I totally agree about the Schraff's Drugstore thing but I did once get a request from an editor who saw my right's posting (she was w/Berkley at the time). So it CAN happen but it's kinda one of those urban legend things *ggg*
I have to say I love the shoes too! I"m going to have to send one of my CP's over here--she's a total shoe *cough* lover *g*
Since my list of emailed Ask Daphne questions is getting longer, I want to try to answer those that appear in comments within those threads.
So, Jean, no, all agents don't post their sales on PM. Most do, or at least, most post at least SOME of their sales. I would doubt that very many post all of their sales -- we do it when we want to build buzz for a title, when we hope to spark foreign or film interest, when we need to fan an author's ego, or when we wan to tout something unique about the sale, or just see our name in print.
There's also timing issues -- some agents may post the moment a sale is concluded, others may wait until a contract is signed, still others want to hold off until the book is just about ready. It depends on a bunch of different factors, and I'm not sure all of us even know specifically why we chose one course of action over another. It just feels right.
That makes sense. Thanks for answering my question.
Jean
:)