Comments on: Yes, But Do You Want Anyone To Read It? An Intro To The World of Agents, Editors and Publishing http://www.scribophile.com/blog/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:09:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Chi http://www.scribophile.com/blog/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-29 Chi Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:04:31 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-29 Good article.    This is so true: <i>Users view two things to decide whether or not to read your work. <strong>1) Title </strong>and<strong> 2) Chapter description.</strong></i> Not only do I do this on scribophile but when I go to a bookstore or library  the title is what "catches" me and the inside flap (or back cover) that tells me a bit about the book.  Depending on how that's written, can determine whether I succumb to purchasing it.    Good article.    This is so true:
Users view two things to decide whether or not to read your work. 1) Title and 2) Chapter description.
Not only do I do this on scribophile but when I go to a bookstore or library  the title is what “catches” me and the inside flap (or back cover) that tells me a bit about the book.  Depending on how that’s written, can determine whether I succumb to purchasing it. 
 

]]> By: Phedre http://www.scribophile.com/blog/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-28 Phedre Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:46:18 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-28  Good point, Brittany.  I think the main thing for writers who want their work published is to find that fine blend of selling their work and writing as an art.  And of course, don't walk into this thinking that the first manuscript is going to sell right away - even Stephen King's first manuscript was rejected; we shouldn't expect ours to be picked up right away - but who says we can't dream!  Good point, Brittany.  I think the main thing for writers who want their work published is to find that fine blend of selling their work and writing as an art.  And of course, don’t walk into this thinking that the first manuscript is going to sell right away - even Stephen King’s first manuscript was rejected; we shouldn’t expect ours to be picked up right away - but who says we can’t dream!

]]> By: Brittany http://www.scribophile.com/blog/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-27 Brittany Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:12:59 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-27 I think this is a great conversation to have, but also, publishing splits itself between literary and commercial. I think the "tactics" you have written here are mainly for commercial. Small presses are an entirely different entity, as many of them do not make a profit, and rely on art grants and the like for publishing. It's also how many prominent writer's back in the "good old days," like Ernest Hemingway, made his fame before being contracted with bigger houses. Of course in both cases, you generally need to be a good writer. But also, small presses may risk an unsolicited writer's manuscript that a big house would scoff at even when presented by an agent. So I'd like to caution writer's from completely writing their works from a "selling" point. Writing is an art form, too. I think this is a great conversation to have, but also, publishing splits itself between literary and commercial. I think the “tactics” you have written here are mainly for commercial. Small presses are an entirely different entity, as many of them do not make a profit, and rely on art grants and the like for publishing. It’s also how many prominent writer’s back in the “good old days,” like Ernest Hemingway, made his fame before being contracted with bigger houses. Of course in both cases, you generally need to be a good writer. But also, small presses may risk an unsolicited writer’s manuscript that a big house would scoff at even when presented by an agent. So I’d like to caution writer’s from completely writing their works from a “selling” point. Writing is an art form, too.

]]> By: Momo Okayasu http://www.scribophile.com/blog/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-24 Momo Okayasu Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:55:55 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-24 Amazing advice. I love reading articles about writing because they're always amusing to me and upon occassion, make me laugh, which, in effect, makes me sit still long enough to read the whole thing. I wish they had articles like this on my other writing sites. But, that is the part that scares me the most about writing -getting it actually published. I'm too much of a guppie to actually show my work to people who matter. *hides under a rock*  Amazing advice. I love reading articles about writing because they’re always amusing to me and upon occassion, make me laugh, which, in effect, makes me sit still long enough to read the whole thing. I wish they had articles like this on my other writing sites. But, that is the part that scares me the most about writing -getting it actually published. I’m too much of a guppie to actually show my work to people who matter. *hides under a rock* 

]]> By: Phedre http://www.scribophile.com/blog/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-23 Phedre Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:52:27 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-23 Fantastic article.  I mentioned in a forum thread a book I recommended called "The First Five Pages"... It says exactly the same thing you did.  And then it offers tips on pretty much everything that an agent would look at, and how to improve it.   Way to rock, Mr. Nakamura!   Now if I can just find these writer's conventions to attend here in FL... *grumble* Fantastic article.  I mentioned in a forum thread a book I recommended called “The First Five Pages”… It says exactly the same thing you did.  And then it offers tips on pretty much everything that an agent would look at, and how to improve it.   Way to rock, Mr. Nakamura!
 
Now if I can just find these writer’s conventions to attend here in FL… *grumble*

]]> By: Dylan Moody http://www.scribophile.com/blog/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-22 Dylan Moody Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:24:03 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/yes-but-do-you-want-anyone-to-read-it-an-intro-to-the-world-of-agents-editors-and-publishing/#comment-22   Oh, I get it now. I suck on a level that I wasn’t even aware I sucked at. (Just kidding.) Great article. I think it’s easy to be naïve in this business. That’s why I think only those who have the suave business skills to go along with their natural talent survive. That is if you don't know someone or aren't already famous. It's unfortunate but true. Simple articles like this provide much insight to steer us in the right direction. I will take this advice to heart. One thing though. I'm not sure, but does your article suggest that ugly people will never get published?  
Oh, I get it now. I suck on a level that I wasn’t even aware I sucked at. (Just kidding.)

Great article. I think it’s easy to be naïve in this business. That’s why I think only those who have the suave business skills to go along with their natural talent survive. That is if you don’t know someone or aren’t already famous. It’s unfortunate but true. Simple articles like this provide much insight to steer us in the right direction. I will take this advice to heart.
One thing though. I’m not sure, but does your article suggest that ugly people will never get published?

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