This morning I went to a
talk given by one of the industry’s prominent literary agents.
(Don’t worry Miss Q was in
the capable arms of one of her three wise men, and yes he and his mate took her
up to the cafe where they were very favourably received by the ladies).
So, while the boys were
picking off the menu so to speak, I was busy getting somewhat depressed by the
realities of the publishing world.
The agent said she probably
only takes on about two new clients a year.
They are not good odds
people.
Not good odds at all.
She informed us that on
average, it is the fourth, fifth or sixth novel of an author that gets
published.
Therefore I have at least two to go.
She mentioned that she had
been told that 'for an artist to make a living you need 1000 true fans who will
buy anything you write.’
Just taking a look at my
blog, I’ve got 52 followers now - thank you very much people - but I'm obviously a long way from earning my keep.
And I’m not sure how many of them are 'true' and how
many are my friends who just ticked it because they felt sorry for me.
But there was a very dull
silver lining to her cloud of depressing publishing speak.
She also said that being an
agent is equal parts negotiating with publishers and playing psychotherapist to
her clients.
She doesn’t expect her
really brilliant writers to be properly functioning individuals.
‘I expect them to be a
little touched,’ she said.
And that’s when I knew I should
keep writing after all…
It is a difficult world. The only thing to say is that if you don't try it definitely won't happen, but if you do, then, it just might! Good luck! x
ReplyDeletePsychotherapist? Well then I'd say they don't get paid enough :P
ReplyDeleteWho wants to read about properly functioning individuals. Chaos is so much more interesting!
ReplyDelete