As the saying goes, “You need an agent to be published, but you need to be published to get an agent.”
I’ve been an author a very long time, but never got used to the idea that authors need to go through many “rejection” letters in the traditional publishing industry. To be honest, that is a tradition most authors could do without.
When Martin Levin (Publishing Lawyer) gave me his book, “Be Your Own Literary Agent” back in 1998, I prepared myself to have a career as an author, without the help of traditional publishers or literary agents. It was obvious that the industry was about to go through a change and I wanted to be a step ahead.
Most actors have both an agent and manager. How come I never hear about authors seeking a manager? Do managers exist for authors? You bet. I have one. And since the first day we starting working together, she has built my career. I just have to match her intensity, which is not easy to do.
Let’s compare Literary Agents and Managers.
Literary Agent:
* Seek publication for your manuscript.
* Send your work to editors.
* Negotiate terms of your contract.
* Represent film, foreign, and subsidiary rights.
* Stays in contact with publisher.
* Helps prepare your next submission.
* Assist with all financial and legal aspects of your book after publication.
Here is what my Manager does for me:
* Review and polish’s my manuscript.
* With my participation, developed marketing plan.
* Manages my business and finances.
* Created a web site for me.
* SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to drive traffic to my web site.
* Set me up with social media and assists in promotion.
* Set up a blog for me.
* Press releases when needed.
* Help’s me write power descriptions for my books. (One line, one paragraph, one page.)
* Target audience report.
* Update on traffic to my web site and fan pages, along with gender and age of audience.
* Created a printable version for my novels for marketing purposes. (Not a self-published book, just a printable version to build an audience.)
* Devlops all my book covers.
* Develops interior of my books.
* Network’s with those in the publishing industry. (Agents, publishers, authors, readers.)
* Always updates me with the latest publishing trends.
* Query letter and synopsis review.
* E-blast’s.
* Paypal setup.
* Ad design.
* Plans future events.
* Event promotion.
* Professional head-shots.
* Paper marketing: bookmarks, postcards, flyer’s.
* Ancillary products: Posters, T-Shirts.
* Book Trailers.
* Public Relations.
* Seeks publishers that best fits my needs.
* Negotiates contracts.
Actually, I could keep going. The point is, my manager does quite a bit. She is my advisor and my friend.
Not sure if I would be able to say the same thing about an agent. Think about hiring a manager and watch how fast your career takes off.
Ron Knight
Author of “2-10”
www.upauthors.com/authors/ronknight
Hi Ron,
Wondered what steps you took in finding a manager to help you, because she sounds wonderfully helpful! Could you comment on what you looked for, what experience you believe a manager needs to deliver quality service, and what factors set her apart from any other candidates? I’m just starting out as a writer and collecting my own fair share of rejections along with a few successes, but I want to minimize the struggle and frustrations if possible. Thanks!
My manager is named Melissa Link. You can email her at melissa@scbranding.com. What “sets her apart from any other candiates” is that she works hard and her marketing ideas to build my career are amazing.