I recently answered some questions for Bookbub regarding ebooks and self-publishing, and in case you find any of the information helpful, here is the interview:
http://unbound.bookbub.com/post/77952060977/bookbub-highlights-noah-lukeman
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Hi Luke,
ReplyDeleteI had a question about not annoying your agent while they try to sell you book. Last fall I signed with a reputable agent (he has many famous clients). I was encouraged to sign with him not only because he raved about my writing and my first manuscript, but because we met twice before he signed me and he was as interested--or even more interested--about the future novels I had planned and what my career goals were (i.e.: he wanted to make sure I didn't only plan to write one novel).
It has been five months now and I know he sent the novel out to 5 publishers. I followed up and he told me two said "no" but that he was still waiting to hear from the other three before sending it to more. That was six weeks ago.
My questions are:
1.) As a new writer, is it odd not to hear from your agent in 6 weeks? I want to make sure he is actually working hard to sell my book. I know he has more clients than me, so I don't want to continually nag him about it. How often should you contact your agent?
2.) I know there is no firm answer, but how long does it take for an agent to sell a first novel? Could it take a year or more? Should I be nervous it hasn't sold right away?
Thanks for any feedback!
Hi Luke,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I'd like to thank you for making your e-books available online and for THE FIRST FIVE PAGES, which is a very helpful book indeed. I've just received feedback from a literary agent who said my novel is a high-concept novel. I cannot reconcile the definition of high-concept (mostly applied to blockbusters) with my story, which even though driven by a big and hypothetical idea, weaves in three first-person narrations and is very much character-based. What is according to you a high-concept novel? Could you possibly give me examples? Thank you very much!
Many thanks!
Hey Mr. Lukeman,
ReplyDeleteI just signed on with an agent. He has been great so far, already sending out a manuscript of mine. The problem is, just before he made me an offer I began working directly with a publisher on a separate non-fiction book proposal of mine. The publisher really likes it, and I think that a deal may happen soon.
If a deal is offered by the publisher, should I bring my in to negotiate the contract? I’m sure that he could help me get the best deal, or even potentially shop it around to other publishers. That said, I did all of the groundwork.
Thoughts?