Why sacrifice ten to fifteen percent of your book advance to a commissioned agent when you don't have to? If you're a talented writer with a head for details, you can prepare your manuscript, pitch it to publishers, secure an offer, and negotiate your contract without using an agent or spending hundreds of dollars on a publishing lawyer. In this revised and updated edition of BE YOUR OWN LITERARY AGENT, fifty-year publishing veteran Martin P. Levin walks first-time authors through the intimidating process of selling their work with a clear, intelligent, and supportive approach that works. Sample letters and proposals show you exactly how to write a query letter, compile an author bio, phrase a book summary, organize a sample chapter, and more. With a clean manuscript in your hand and BE YOUR OWN LITERARY AGENT in your pocket, publishing success is virtually assured.
So William Morris won't return your calls? And the folks at Scott Meredith are still charging too much? Then hunker down and grit your teeth: it's time to take matters into your own hands. Renounce the passivity so often associated with the writer's lot and be your own agent. Ex-publishing executive Martin Levin takes you through all the steps in this book of basics, from cover letters to contracts. Note, however, that the info here is geared toward those who want to break into publishing. If scripting is your game, you'll just have to go out and produce your own flick.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Some info outdated, but still very good.:
Levin writes a good guide for submitting, and the info from editors themselves is really good! However, four years later, some of his mergers and ideas are outdated.
Still good general info as long as you use other resources in conjunction!
Good guide toward getting your writing in front of an editor:
This book is good for what it is. What it isn't, is how to be your own agent. Chapters on contracts and agreements say get a lawyer or agent. Though it does give examples of contract provisions, it leaves the reader thinking that he really does need an agent or attorney. This book isn't about never having an agent, its about getting the offer BEFORE you get an agent. It might even let you negotiate your first book deal if its a simple one.
However, the book IS a good guide on how to get your manuscript to... more info
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