an agency offer

7 Responses to “an agency offer”

1. Emilie Dice on May 4th, 2008

   I find this interesting since I’m working on a book myself. I’m not sure how I’ll try to market it yet. I’m just enjoying the process so far, of writing a story based on my experience with sex work. Self-publishing is looking more and more attractive all the time, and the considerations you outlined here about what agents can and can’t do for you are something for me to keep in mind as well.

2. Amanda Brooks on May 4th, 2008

   Emilie,

   I don’t feel agents can really do a lot besides get you in the door at a good place (a lot of big houses don’t accept unagented submissions). But you don’t need an agent to approach most publishers. And most publishers who publish sex work-related books are smaller houses anyway.

   From what I understand of publishing, right now the author is expected to do 99% of the heavy lifting in marketing their book — pretty much what you’d do if you were self-publishing. The only exceptions are big name authors or first-time authors who have created huge buzz. If you don’t fall into those two categories, you won’t really have much marketing support.

   Ultimately, self-publishing gives me a lot of freedom — which I’m always fond of — and it’s a bit of work since I’m running my own business. But the profit margins are MUCH higher than royalties from a publishing contract (doesn’t mean you’ll get rich, though). Course, you have to do your research here too and be prepared for a lot of flack. The self-publishing industry is just as moralistic as the rest of the country.

   I highly suggest looking at the Writing Blogs listed on my Links page. They all focus on traditional publishing and may give you a better picture of things.

   XX

3. Callie Simms on May 12th, 2008

   To me, what you are doing is great. I had the privilege of reviewing the first book for Spread when it first came out. Now, I refer a lot of new women or women who need to know the basics of industry before they tackle the meat of the industry to your first book. It is perfect in every sense.

   I would rather own my work and reap the fruit of my labor many times over, not just for $1.00. I haven’t even considered going with the agent route after an experience similar to what you described above with an agent I knew for a while.

   There’s some correlation in the strategy to “The Tipping Point,” you don’t need the big celeb/mainstream in order to make the impact you want or gain the awareness you need. You can do it yourself. I think you have a great foundation for that and what you do should be yours alone to claim, run and distribute as you see fit.

4. Amanda Brooks on May 13th, 2008

   Callie,

   Thanks for the support, of course!

   Yes, being a sex worker sort of primes you for wanting freedom and control in all of your careers (and relationships too, but that’s another issue).

   Trying to carve a place in the world out of nothing is difficult though. It’s taken me this long to begin getting back a tiny part of the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into this project. Maybe I’ve finally reached my own tipping point. I hope so.

   I still need to finish “The Deviant’s Advantage.” It’s around here somewhere.

   XX

5. Michael on May 13th, 2008

   Amanda, just saw you on O’Reilly — great job! I wrote a longer note to your email address. But, wanted readers here to know I thought you really held your own, and I applaud you! Best of luck in the future…I know it will be a bright one!

6. Michael on May 13th, 2008

   [[Waving to Callie]]

   Hey, Callie…from an “SWC” guy…small world!

7. Amanda Brooks on May 14th, 2008

   Michael,

   Thank you. I’m behind on my emails, obviously.

   XX