The Case Of The Slush Pile

Agent Steve Laube of Steve Laube Agency, sends out  a newsletter daily. He and his fellow agents provide gems of knowledge to help writers understand the process of finding an agent, understanding the writing business and publishing. Even writng tips are often available on this blog at news@stevelaube.com. Below is an article on the "Slush Pile."  This is the place your manuscript finds itself when submitted to an agency, especially without an invitation.  It's a necessary evil for writers and a place agents hopes to find the next great novelist.

When you submit a manuscript or query to an agent, you may wonder what happens to it, and what our thought processes are regarding the properties we offer to represent versus those we must respectfully decline. Every agent is different, but you may find learning about my process helpful.


I have a very smart assistant. When she reviews my slush pile submissions, she goes through a winnowing process.

The first submissions she rejects are those that are obviously not a fit for me. These include:

1.) Stream of consciousness submissions. If she can’t figure out what you are talking about, she sends it back. By this we don’t mean that we don’t understand systematic theology. It means that the query letter is incoherent.
2.) Error-ridden letters. Even the best of us can type “here” when we meant to type “hear” but more than one error in a final letter is a red flag that either the author is not well-versed in basic grammar or will turn in careless, sloppy work.
3.) We rarely acknowledge queries sent as an email blast in the cc line to the entire industry. It is a form of spam. Target a select few and then personalize your proposal to each.
4.) Books that aren’t in categories we represent.

Submissions that bypass these four problems, among others, and otherwise show promise are passed on to a reader. The reader looks for factors such as:

1.) Excellent writing.
2.) For fiction, coherent plot.
3.) For nonfiction, whether the intended audience is likely to connect with the topic.
4.) Overall message of book, whether fiction or nonfiction.

Our reviewer’s opinion carries weight. If the manuscript doesn’t pass muster, the reviewer reports as to why it doesn’t. Based on the evaluation, unless my assistant has an extremely good reason to disagree, a rejection is sent. But if it survives that initial read, then the submission is sent to me for final evaluation. At that time, I must consider many factors as I make my final decision. The factors differ, depending on the author’s publishing history, type of manuscript in question, and my belief in its marketability. The main point to remember is that rejections from my office are never a reflection of a writer as a person, and I think most agents would make the same statement. I wrote books and articles for many years, so I know what receiving a rejection letter feels like. Since so much of yourself is put into your work, rejection does feel personal. One of the most difficult parts of my job is sending a rejection notice to an author I know and like. But if I waste her time, mine, and the editor’s, then attempts to market out of a sense of friendship won’t help any of us.

On the flip side, when I do offer representation, you can be confident that in my representation, you will have the full support of The Steve Laube Agency.  Check Steve Laube's newsletter each day at  news@stevelaube.com

Do You Need An Agent?

The world of publishing has changed rapidly in the past two years--even the past year. Digital has opened doors for authors out-of-print novels and for unpublished writers to make their books available as ebooks.  But one thing we know about all books is if they are not well written, if they do not hook the reader and hold them captive, the reader will not return for another try with this author.

Authors who have not honed their craft and who've written a novel that only their friends and family love have not truly tested the water.  Readers are a critical bunch--me included--who tear books apart that do not know what makes a great read. Many readers let the authors know their failures through letters and email, and spread the word when a bad book is out there.

But the good news is if you've honed your craft, if you've plotted a novel that grabs the reader from page one and carries it through, and if you've created believable character in which they can relate, readers will spread the word. This is how most books hit the NY Times Best Selling books -- that and an established novelist with a huge fan base. But those authors are few and far between.

So what should newer writers do? How can they hone their craft and get their books in print while competing with thousands of people who think they've written the next best seller? Finding an agent willing to work with you is one answer, but you can also look at the alternates.

So often articles are prejudiced by the writers, providing you with information that only supports their view point. I read a Tweet today from the MacGregor Literary Agency that I was pleased to see offered much fodder for both sides of the agent and non-agent coin. The answer is multifaceted but I think you will benefit from reading the blog on this topic.

In my blog Writing Fiction Right, I've provided numerous articles on self-publishing pros and cons, and even publishing pros and cons when you are contracted with a small house with big promises they can't fulfill.  Be a smart writer. Look at the options. Check Editors and Preditors site for information that can help you, and you can also read this article which offers an unprejudice point of view on getting published.
http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/main/2012/02/does-a-beginning-writer-need-an-agent-.html

SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK A PROSPECTIVE AGENT

When I have a friend who writes a good article, I ask permission to share it with you. Many of you are considering or seeking agents, and Jim Watson's article is excellent to help you make wise decisions. Jim comes from Christian publishing experience, but these tips are good for secular work as well. Each of the questions he proposes will safeguard you in making a wise decision about obtaining an agent.

SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK A PROSPECTIVE AGENT

James N. Watkins

Finding an agent is difficult. Finding a GOOD agent is even harder. In the general market, legitimate agents are members of the Association of Author’s Representatives. However, in the Christian market, there is no such accrediting agency. Unfortunately, this has led to several cases of unethical and incompetent behavior in Christian agenting.

So, it's important to get the answers to these questions—in writing—before signing with an agent:

1. DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN PUBLISHING AS A PUBLISHED AUTHOR, EDITOR, OR SOME OTHER PUBLISHING-RELATED RESPONSIBILITY? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AN AGENT?
You want someone who knows the business. And equally important, someone who is KNOWN in the business. Their Web site should include those qualifications.

2. DO YOU CHARGE ANY FEES OTHER THAN A PERCENTAGE OF SALES?
Agents used to charge incidental fees for postage and overnight deliveries, but with virtually all transaction made online, these are obsolete charges. If the agent charges reading or editing fees of ANY kind, do NOT consider them. A legitimate agent receives compensation only from a percentage of their client's sales.

3. DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO BEST FINANCIAL PRACTICES?
Do you maintain accurate financial accounts for clients so there is no commingling of clients' and agent's funds? Do you deposit funds received on behalf of clients promptly upon receipt and pay authors within ten days of receipt? Are books open for client's or his/her representative to examine at any time? If there is any hesitancy, do not consider them.

4. DO YOU RECOMMEND REJECTED CLIENTS TO SPECIFIC EDITING SERVICES OR SELF-PUBLISHING VENUES?
The correct answer is NO. Many agents are simply fronts for these kinds of services.

5. DO YOU HAVE ANY OUTSTANDING OR UNRESOLVED COMPLAINTS WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OR OTHER CONSUMER RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS?

6. HAVE MANY BOOKS DID YOU CONTRACT WITH PUBLISHERS DURING THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS? WITH WHAT PUBLISHERS?
Their Web site should include this information.

7. WILL YOU PROVIDE A LIST OF CLIENTS? MAY I CONTACT THEM FOR A RECOMMENDATION?

Again, if there is any hesitancy, RUN!

Of course, a smooth scammer will tell you anything you want to hear. So, make sure you check them out thoroughly with:
The Better Business Bureau
Preditors & Editors (An online watchdog group)
Writer Beware (Another watchdog)
Anyone you know in the publishing world: editors, authors

Like schemes in so-called "Christian" self-publishing (see http://www.jameswatkins.com/selfpublishing.htm ), there are plenty of posers and piranhas in "Christian" agenting, so writer beware!

(c) James N. Watkins from from my writers' resource page at www.jameswatkins.com/writing

Links To Check Out Scams for Writers

Publishing is a difficult industry. Authors have a multitude of choices that are confusing and can help or hinder a full-time career in writing, if that's your goal. I've been trying to provide information on traditional, self-publishing and the smaller publishers of POD (print on demand) publishers. Many POD publishers are legitimate but for all three options, authors need to know the ups and downs of the business. None of them are perfect.

The sad part is that scammers have taken advantage of the situation. They know the eagerness of writers to be published0--some of them whose work isn't ready to see the light of day--and some who are close, and few who could sell to a traditional publisher with a good agent. But how do you know the difference.

Study, networking, asking question, and know what to ask is the answer to that question. When I was looking for an agent, I talked to fellow writers and learned the good, the bad, and the ugly. I hard names of well-qualified agents, and I began submitting. Yes, I was rejected by a number of them, but the one I really wanted I continued to pursue and she continues to be my agent today.

When you don't have a solid network, who do you turn to? That's the difficult question - but you can ask them on blogs and if you attend conferences, you often have the opportunity to hear agent panels and publishers panels which will help you make good decisions.

One method for sorting out scammers that I use and suggest others use are the two links below. They are good sources for information. Yes, I have seen an error or two on the site, but in most cases, they will warn you and tell you the truth about agents and publishers of which you need to be wary.

One that I've used for a long time is: Editors and Preditors (notice the spelling at Click here:
Click here: P&E: Literary Agents http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm They take a look at agents, publishing houses, magazines, and more.

Another is: Writers Beware at http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/agents.html

This site defines agents duties, suggests questions to ask an agent and defines things to beware of. It also describes pros and cons of various kinds of publishing and things to watch out for that signals a scam publisher

Both sites are worth checking.