Agent Jessica Faust of the BookEnds, LLC blog, on “Offering Representation to Published Authors,” seeks to reassure new authors that things could be worse for them: they might have a track record.
If a previously published author comes to me seeking representation, I need to, of course, look at the new work to see if it’s something I would even want to represent, and then if it passes that test I must consider the sales figures for the author’s previous work or works, and this is where things can get sticky. In case anyone has forgotten, this is a business, and when considering a new author a publisher’s, and therefore an agent’s, primary consideration needs to be how money can be made and how much. An author who only two years ago had incredibly poor sales numbers is going to have a hard time crawling out from under that. Bookstores are going to look at those numbers when placing orders and editors are going to look at those numbers when making an offer. So, unless the book is absolutely phenomenal, or a completely new direction for this author, it’s going to be a difficult sale for me.
Man, I cannot tell you how queasy this makes at least one published author. Yes, I’m probably reading too much into it. Yes, my only published fiction to date was published 16 years ago. Still… published to mixed reviews, and failed to sell at all well.
It doesn’t help my insecurity to say, I’m a better, more mature writer than I was 15+ years ago.
It doesn’t help to say that I know more now than I did then about, well, almost everything that I knew anything about back then — including publishing, the market, the things I like to write about.
It doesn’t help to know some of the reasons — many (most?) beyond my control — why the earlier book didn’t succeed.
Not seeking reassurance, you understand. The world is what it is (as is the past), and so am I. I’m a big boy now, for whom the satisfactions of writing and having written almost outweigh the hope of future publication.
Almost.
Hmm. While I agree with Jessica, I wouldn’t take this arrow too close to your heart–the things that are frightening and discouraging to us industry folks about a previously published author and unimpressive sales figures are tied in with Nielsen bookscan numbers (all post-2001), with memory of bad reviews or sell-ins, or by disappointing marketing campaigns. As such, they are 80% washed away by time, and 1994 might as well be a different world. A fifteen year gap between books means you might as well be a different author–while you can’t build on your previous platform, you’re not going to be held accountable for previous sales records.
Anyway, I think the most important thing is that you write because you love it, and that if you are seeking publication again that you do your best to arm yourself to fight all these dumb battles (which I know that you do–you obviously read and think a lot about all the facets of the industry, which is more than I can say for many, many would-be authors).
moonie: From The Would-Be Author’s Guide to Publishing Fauna: “The moonrat is a small, courageous, but kindly animal, whom you should heed and from whom you would do well to take comfort — should the opportunity present itself.”
(Thanks.)
I agree with Moonie- your previous work has passed the sell-by date and I can’t imagine a good agent passing on your work for that reason (mixed reviews, low sales) alone. Besides, on the bright side, your earlier publishing experience does speak to your perserverance, and the fact that you understand the general publishing biz.
There’s so much discouragement out there- don’t add this to the list!
hmm … Pen name?
Sarah: When I first read your comment just a few seconds ago, the phrase “passed the sell-by date” made me wince a bit. But you know what? The reflexive wince was the residue of years of mistaking my product for me. I’ve never seen “sell-by date” applied to an author’s earlier work but it’s exactly right — a nice perspective on reality. Thanks!
Eileen: Ah yes, there’s a practical one in every bunch isn’t there? :)
Other folks already said, but I too thought that the amount of time passed probably worked in your favor. Who knows?
Determination figures in more than anything else. Keep at it no matter how hard. I can’t even stand to think of how many times I’ve been rejected.
I’m going to stop thinking about this now.
marta: Well, from the mouths of everyone here to God’s ear, or however that saying goes. Like you say, the only thing to do when you’re afraid to keep going is to… keep going.
Hope you’re keeping your head above water!
I too would venture a guess that those sixteen years will actually work in your favor. As Moonrat said, publishing was a different world then. Not only do you have a chance at being published again, the developments in technology and media will allow you (and, let’s hope, your publisher) to promote your writing in ways that nobody could imagine in the nineties. You’ve already got a head start with this blog!
Jolie: Thanks for the reassuring words — Lord knows writers don’t get enough of ‘em! :)
Speaking of blogging, er, are you… back?