Has anyone ever had a book published? If so I have a few questions.?

Question

How much does an agent cost? Where can I find one? Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

An agent costs 15% of your royalties including your advance. They work for you selling your book to earn that fee. They are allowed to charge you for services like making copies of your manuscript, postage and long distance phone calls. You find an agent by going to Writers Market or Literary Marketplace and searching for agents currently reading books in the genre of your book. Then you follow their submission guidelines to the letter. Usually that means sending a query letter and perhaps a synopsis of the book. You will get several rejections. Even Gone with the Wind got 50. When one shows interest, they will ask you to forward an EDITED manuscript (edited by an editor that you pay for on your own) and a book proposal. The book proposal is the most important document you will ever write. It is the selling tool your agent uses to sell your book to publishers.

You can query small publishers directly but A List publishers only deal with A List agents.

Before you send anything to anyone, I recommend you google the heck out of the name. There are many scams and frauds out there. Start with Preditors and Editors and Absolute Write Water Cooler's Bewares and Background Checks sites. If there have been any complaints, don't send your work in. If you have any doubts, write to Dave K at Preditors and Editors or Victoria Strauss or James Macdonald at Absolute Write. All are extremely knowledgeable and can advise you if the agent is not reliable. Pax - C

Answer 2

An agent takes a percentage of what he or she makes for you, until money is made, they cost you nothing - typically 10-15%. Authors agents advertise in Yellow Pages of major cities and are listed in publications like Writer's Market.
You would be better off having a collection of published work (articles, etc.) before approaching an agent which will show you are marketable. If you only have a book, you can approach book publishers, then get an agent interested in handling all the other rights and future books, but many publishers only take material through agents.

Answer 3

I am not published yet but I do know that you should never go with an agent that makes you pay anything up front. You can find agents in The Writers Market 2007. You can find a wealth of information in that book.

Answer 4

I self-published my book with a publisher in Canada.

Of course, self-publishing means I am responsible for the marketing and as yet have not had the time to devote to this aspect of the business. If you have questions, email me at [e-mail] -- I will be happy to help in any way I can.