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Title: Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! (Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents)
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Manufacturer: Three Dog Press
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| Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! (Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents) by Three Dog Press An excellent resource for all aspiring writers | I was referred to this title by a published author named Eric Pete. He initially went the 'self-publishing' rout and all the headache/heartache that goes with it. However, using this guide, he has successfully represented himself into four (more coming) sales.
True to Eric's recommendation, this book is exactly what it sells as: a comprehensive to guide to publishers, editors, and agents, as well as the expectations of each imprint/representative. If you're ready (as I am) to start collecting rejection letters in pursuit of the eventual success, this book is a must-have tool.
| | Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! (Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents) by Three Dog Press Jeff Herman does it again. | Recently, I noticed Jeff's 2008 guide in the reference section of my library. Let's just say I spent a long day at the library (grin) ... and came to Amazon now to post my opinion (and buy one for myself).
I have actually corresponded with Mr. Herman based on a question I had in one of his earlier editions. He claimed that 98% of all submissions to agents and editors were rejected. But when I asked him if he'd asked agents and editors, "Of these 98%, how many of them were submitted PROFESSIONALLY?" He replied, "Very few." In short, writers tend to be their own worst enemies ... submitting material to agents and editors in styles they don't like, formats they don't like, and sometimes in a manner they don't like (ie., like sending sample chapters to an editor who only wants a synopsis or outline).
The ONLY way to approach an agent or editor properly is THEIR way. And according to novelists I've met at literary conventions, Jeff's book is the book that tells you what THEIR way is likely to be. This sentiment is echoed by agents and editors as well.
Writer's Digest Books and others (with the possible exception of books by Michael Larsen, another agent) just don't cut it. Let me give you a prime example (without naming names). Let's say I want to write a mystery novel. I read Herman's book and, because of it, set the murder to occur on a bird-banding trip. I send the first three chapters (including the murder scene) to a literary agent named Mr. Smith. Problem is, I'm only one author among 20 authors who sent in their submissions at the same time. Why would my novel stand out to Mr. Smith over the other 19? Because:
1) 4 of those other 19 sent in (a) a manuscript of recipes for a cookbook, (b) a science-fiction novel, (c) an historical romance novel, and (d) a "how-to" book on gardening ... when Mr. Smith only works with mystery novelists.
2) 4 of those other 19 sent in the complete novel when Mr. Smith only wanted to see the first 3 chapters.
3) 4 of those other 19 sent in the first 3 chapters on a CD in Word format when Mr. Smith wanted to see them on double-spaced 20-pound bond paper.
4) 4 of those other 19 submitted their first 3 chapters printed in Arial 10-point font when Mr. Smith wanted to see 12-point Courier font.
This leaves 4 submissions out of 20 done exactly the way Mr. Smith wanted them done. But, my submission is the ONLY one where bird-banding is mentioned. You see, I knew that Mr. Smith's hobby was bird-banding because Herman's book mentions the avocations of editors and agents - the things they like to do when they're not working.
However, this only scratches the surface of what his book provides. Remember that Jeff Herman is a literary agent himself. He's been one for a long time, too. In this book, as in previous editions, he removes the fluff and euphoria that writers are sometimes blinded by to show book publishing for what it is ... a business. Writers, therefore, don't have to convince agents and editors that their books are "good." They only have to convince them that their books will "sell."
I could say more but won't. If you are an aspiring writer interested in selling either a novel or book-length nonfiction, buying Jeff Herman's book will be money well-spent. Cross out that author's plume-in-hat with a hard blue-pencil, roll up your sleeves, and learn to SELL what you have written (from a man who knows how it's done). | | Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! (Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents) by Three Dog Press The 411 | This is an invaluable book for the hoping-to-be first time published author. It not only provides the names and addresses of people who's attention you need to catch as a yet to be published author, but it offers realistic advice on how to have your manuscript read by someone in the business, presents specific advice [or where to get it] on how to make submissions, and details what specific agents or publishers are seeking in those submissions. That way, you don't waste your precious time and money sending query letters to people who wouldn't be interested in your work if you were Tolstoy with War and Peace in your valise.
The book is tailored in a predictable manner that allows you to find information without rifling through all the pages. It is well written - unambiguous and succinct - yet it's not like reading a phone book as Mr. Herman has a sense of humor to boot.
| | Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! (Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents) by Three Dog Press Best book for aspiring authors | | I have probably purchased every other guide to literary agents and how to get your book published. But this is by far the best. Several agents recommend it, but since I had the other books, I didn't think I needed it. Finally, I purchased it and was pleasantly surprised. This book is huge and gives so much more information. It is in a class by itself. My advice to aspiring authors is to buy this book first not last like I did. | | Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! (Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents) by Three Dog Press Don't Waste Your Money | Having been involved in this business since 1998, my advice to any aspiring author is don't waste your money on Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editor, Publishers, and Literary Agents, or any similar 'how to' manual up and including the now venerable Writers Market.
I know this for a fact because, when I was a starry-eyed fledgling, I eagerly purchased one of Mr Herman's earlier Guides, along with Writers Market, How to Write Attention Grabbing Query and Cover Letters, The Writers Essential Desk Reference and virtually every other such advisory I could lay my hands on. In fact, I'm looking at them right now even as I write.
Unfortunately, what such guides carefully don't tell you is that the chances of ANY new and or unproven author's work being considered by ANY established literary agent, publisher or editor is slightly less than nil.
Instead, most of the huge literary successes in today's world came about as the result of a pure fluke. J.K.Rowling is a case in point. The only reason her initial Harry Potter manuscript ever saw the light of day was because the secretary of the literary agent she was querying at the time picked it up from the slush pile by mistake when she was packing her boss's briefcase for the weekend. Otherwise, it would never have been read by him or anyone else.
As for myself, I carefully followed Mr Herman et al's advice to the letter and dutifully began querying literary agents, publishers etc. The first thing I learned, unfortunately, was that far too many were out and out scam artists fronting for the likes of the since-discredited book doctor, Edit Ink, thieving self-publishers like Canada's Commonwealth and the deservedly notorious Woodside Literary Agency.
Then there were the sometimes nasty rejections from legitimate concerns. One such agency, which shall remain nameless, not only didn't even bother to respond to my query letter, they actually had the guts to stuff my self-addressed stamped envelope with poorly produced, smudged promos on cheap copy paper for their 'editorial services' along with a list of self-published titles by authors of whom I had never heard.
In my own case and in response to some excellent advice from one of today's most successful Science Fiction/Fantasy authors, I soon realized I wasn't going to get anywhere via the conventional query process and turned instead to the Internet. Even so, my first commercial ebook sale came about in 1998 because of pure, dumb luck.
Twelve titles later, I've not only never looked back, I've even picked up a few awards along the way and can find no reason to regret my decision.
In other words and from I can see, the only beneficiary of Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents: Who They Are! What They Want! How To Win Them Over! is probably its author.
One of the literary agencies I queried, by the way, was Mr. Herman's. While he was listed in Writer's Market as handling the genre in which I write, that wasn't what his form letter said and I thought, "Well, so much for that."
While I'm nowhere near J.K. Rowling's class, of course, my titles haven't done too badly. Unlike those of my print published, literary agent represented counterparts, they're also all still commercially available and selling quite well, including my very first novel which came out in 1998.
In other words, if you're a serious aspiring author and your writing has any merit at all, please don't waste your money on this or any similar advisory. The Internet already offers a wealth of reputable resources at absolutely no charge for beginning writers i.e. Dave Kuminski's excellent Preditors and Editors and Authors Den, (to name just two), with which Mr Herman's Guide, Writers Market etc. can't begin to compete.
Because I don't wish to be accused of submitting this review for self-promotion purposes, I am not using my pen name or listing any of my published titles. However, if Mr Herman or anyone else wants references or proof of my track record, I will be more than happy to provide them off-list.
Respectfully,
Kathleen C. Krueger
| | Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! (Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents) by Three Dog Press Product Description | Calling all writers, get your manuscripts out of the "slush pile" and into the bookstores with Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents. More comprehensive than ever before--and now 1,000 pages--this revised edition describes the insider dynamics at hundreds of U.S. and Canadian publishers, with hundreds of names and specialties for book acquisition editors. Nearly 200 of the most powerful literary agents reveal invaluable tips, as if they were having a private conversation with special friends. Includes a wealth of detailed information on what to do (and what not to do) to break the code, break down the walls, and get that first book, second book, or thirtieth book published, bought and read. Jeff Herman’s Guide is the go-to source for writers everywhere. Many of the most successful authors in America thank Jeff’s book for helping them to make it! * More than 400,000 copies sold!
* How to connect with nearly 200 of the most powerful literary agents and hundreds of book editors, and absolutely everything a writer must know to get published.
* Replaces Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2007, ISBN 0-9772682-1-4 |
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