tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post1495197020843973750..comments2024-01-20T00:59:08.689+00:00Comments on Brave New World: Agents In A Digital WorldMartyn Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134633193540004531noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-13943227790783952632011-06-14T23:15:49.574+00:002011-06-14T23:15:49.574+00:00It'll be interesting to see how it all shakes ...It'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out. <br /><br />One of my Silicon Valley technical writer co-workers said back in the '90s that she thought that in the future our jobs would be about transferring information from one place to another. We were paid well for that information so I naturally thought this would be a good thing. But now that same information transfer has made its way into all aspects of writing and doesn't seem to be as valued.<br /><br />My manager likes to quote a Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times..." - and we just smile...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-15832551560184972222011-06-14T19:29:11.502+00:002011-06-14T19:29:11.502+00:00This afternoon a publisher asked me how they find ...This afternoon a publisher asked me how they find those gems that can be brought back. <br />My answer was that it wasn't and isn't easy and its not just about processing whatever is on the shelf looking for a home. There is no registry of forgotten titles. There is no list of available rights. It takes a cerain amount of instinct and information on past sales or lending etc. <br />Interestingly I saw a back list book brought back to life as a app. It never sold as a print book and was remaindered and I would argue was far from low hanging fruit and the correct place to start.<br />Agents do know what has sold well they also have a good handle on what has legs today.Martyn Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134633193540004531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-14223498912358424432011-06-14T19:20:27.885+00:002011-06-14T19:20:27.885+00:00i am sorry i do not believe that agents are wrong ...i am sorry i do not believe that agents are wrong or irrilvent but are important and the roles they play must be undertaken irrespective. There are good and bad as in any walk of life.<br />What i am asking is how does digital change the role and the emphasis of what bases need to be covered?<br />Are agents right to be publishers and respect the value of the forgotten back list or should they always seek a publisher to do the publishing?<br />I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer just a different set of issues.Martyn Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134633193540004531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-690294508007689082011-06-14T17:37:13.474+00:002011-06-14T17:37:13.474+00:00@Kathy Well that's a good question about wheth...@Kathy Well that's a good question about whether writing your novels is the best use of your talent. You could think, oh, god, this is sad...but really it's an opportunity. The world is changing, or markets are, but this allows you to go wild.<br /><br />I've decided I ain't no author no more. And I hated all that Random House, St. Martin's and literary agent arrogance (mine's a good guy, though)... and I liked fifty grand advances ;-) But they ain't there no more.<br /><br />But I worked out how to thrive in the burnout. And I think a lot of authors can too.<br /><br />In fact, why not write a book and price it at $100 and self-publish. Or $500. Have your ad copy saying "This is the most VALUABLE book on earth... more valuable than the Bible ever was..."<br /><br />Of course, yours wouldn't be the most valuable book on earth... because mine would priced at $1,000 ;-)<br /><br />I think the best thing authors can do is do the opposite of all the best advice they are given.Doktor Snakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15432804703559271294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-59754360965541795022011-06-14T15:50:55.721+00:002011-06-14T15:50:55.721+00:00I totally agree that information is being devalued...I totally agree that information is being devalued. When people text, tweet, post statuses and write books all from a cell phone, it all gets lumped together psychologically. And some of the cheap prices for books on amazon reflect this. I have to seriously ask myself if writing novels is the best use of my time and talent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-65610880703795260222011-06-14T09:02:04.490+00:002011-06-14T09:02:04.490+00:00How much marketing and sales promotion was to be d...How much marketing and sales promotion was to be done, or was it to merely be thrown onto a digital shelf?<br />Quite. Authors are asking 'If I have to do all the promo anyway, why would I settle for 25 per cent when I can get 70 if I publish it myself?'<br />Publishers have to work harder for an author if they want to keep them.Freda Lightfoothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15645328548631325064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-41982144818131463772011-06-14T08:49:47.561+00:002011-06-14T08:49:47.561+00:00I think those agent dogs are doomed. Some will rei...I think those agent dogs are doomed. Some will reinvent themselves. Most will go the way of other industries that died due to changing markets.<br /><br />Also, the digital revolution in books might well destroy the author as we currently know it. Copyright work might go super-nova and burn down a black hole, lost to a distant memory.<br /><br />Bear in mind the biggest deal here: The internet/ebooks/mp3s/videos are all DEVALUING INFORMATION. See all books, including novels, and music and videos, as INFORMATION.<br /><br />This devaluing can be seen on Amazon - endless dire Kindle editions. You wade through the junk looking for what you need....<br /><br />...of course that could provide a place for literary agents - again acting as middle-guys to sift the trash from the gems.<br /><br />But I wouldn't underestimate the big DEVALUATION.<br /><br />I actually do have an answer to it. But I ain't givin' it away. I'm livin' it, right now ;-)Doktor Snakehttp://doktorsnake.comnoreply@blogger.com