STATUS: Contracts and more contracts. I have four total that I’m working on. A fifth one just came in and I just started negotiating a new deal for a current client. Busy.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? DON’T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE by Natalie Cole
Last year the agency did 29 foreign rights deals on behalf of our clients and I have to say that the sales remain unabated into 2008. We are doing several a week for various clients. All great news.
But I had an interesting thing happen last week. I turned down a foreign offer for one of my clients (and obviously with the client’s permission) because I didn’t think the offer was on par with where it should be in comparison to other foreign offers and the client’s current sales etc.
This is a first for me. Because so many of my clients are (or were) debut authors (as my agency is only five years old), most often we are thrilled to get foreign interest at all. And yes, we always negotiate up the foreign advances etc. but you only have so much leverage when the client hasn’t got a sales track record.
But obviously the agency has reached a new level—especially for established clients with success. Yet another threshold we are crossing as we finish up year five and head into year six of our existence.
I guess no one gives a shit.
Rude, crude and a bad attitude anon.
I would like to know if chick lit sells in Bangkok. Are vampires big in Madrid? A brief overview of what kind of American writing is interesting to the rest of the world would be quite welcome to me. Personally, I would like to know how well American science fiction and fantasy is received in foreign markets. I would also like to know if you shop a project in foreign markets before it has been released here in the states, or do you wait until it has already exhibited sales here?
wplv:
While I doubt your comments are really anon’s point (& I know ur not saying they are), but in some way I think your comments are exactly what anon is saying/thinking, in whatever crude fashion. I read this blog b/c it’s a train wreck. Lots of “i’m busy doing x” but no real meat. Instead of blogging that you are working of 4 or 5 contracts (which just makes KN sound like she’s trying to look important/busy), why not talk about what subgenres the contracts are for — how popular they are, or some other common thread. Instead of tooting her own horn about how many foreign rights she’s done, why not address all/some/one of WPLVs very valid questions? WPLV’s questions are thought provoking. KNs blog is vapid and as opposite of proactive & informative as is humanly possible. Put a little thought into it. Stream of consciousness is great if you are a tween blogger gushing about which Jonas Bro is a hottie. Its less flattering on a literary agent. (But still I read simply b/c it is soooo shallow)
I can only speak for myself, but I find *a lot* of helpful information in Kristin’s blog and I appreciate the time she devotes to keeping it up.
I find Kristin’s blog terribly useful and helpful and generous of her. Period.
so…because this agent’s blog doesn’t have the exact information you are looking for, it’s vapid stream of consciousness? Hmmm. Try doing your own research. There’s a lot of market info out there. Subscribe to the publishing market news sources for one. And since
this blog doesn’t provide you with the industry/market info you want, then move on. Life’s too short to waste on trivia, right?
damara
Kristen, sounds like you passed on someone’s work and rather than handle the rejection in a positive light (ie, editing and trying again) they had to post their immature feelings. Good thing you passed – what would they have been like as a client? It’s especially funny that anon is so upset over your success.
I read your blog everyday and enjoy it immensely. I do have to say I’ve yet to ask you for representation and I hope too much success won’t keep you from looking at debut authors.:-) I have found the publishing info you provide specific, informative, and extremely appropriate given the genres I write. Thank you for putting yourself out there and sharing part of your world.
Rebecca
As someone who has met Kristen in person at one of her workshops on writing queries I can’t say enough good things about her. Hmm let me start with professional, intelligent, personable, and helpful. . .oh yeah she also has a great sense of humor.
My understanding is that she doesn’t reply to the comments on the blog–I don’t think it’s because she doesn’t care–I think it’s because she’s busy and blogging takes up a lot of time.
anon (2)
I have followed Ms. Nelson’s blog and several other agent’s blogs for over a year now. These busy people have expended a gret deal of time and effort on our behalf. If you want meat and potatoes, check out her agenting 101 archive or the querys section of her labels archive for information that was completely unavailable to the average writer before agents started blogging.
No, I did not do back flips and yell wahoo upon reading this particular post, but it did pique my interest. Whether or not she chooses to answer my questions is completely up to her. She does not owe me anything, indeed I owe her. My comments are not anon’s point, they are just questions.
As for tooting, my mother used to say, “If you don’t toot your own horn, it will go forever untootled, won’t it?”
“Instead of blogging that you are working of 4 or 5 contracts (which just makes KN sound like she’s trying to look important/busy), why not talk about what subgenres the contracts are for — how popular they are, or some other common thread.”
If you read this blog properly, you’ll find that Kristen has very recently blogged about what editors might be looking for right now.
Kristen’s posts on how what she’s up to and how her agency’s doing are also pretty useful for anyone who’s considering submitting as they show the agency is thriving.
Kudos to you, Kristin, for looking out for your clients’ best interests so well. Their work grows and evolves — so should the deals. It’s always great to hear from a writer’s champion!
I read this blog for the inside scoop – for Kristin’s knowledge to enhance my own and make me a better part of this writing and publishing community.
I rarely even read the comments – and now I remember why.
i think adrienne makes the best point of all — this blog may not have much to offer, but there are other blogs out there that may meet your needs. There is no need to criticize — just move on. Read only the good books (or good blogs,in this case)
Joanne
Congratulations on heading into your sixth year, Kristin! Putting five behind you in such a competitive market is a huge accomplishment. Here’s to you and the gallery of authors who call you their agent.
omg
Congrats on the success Kristin. As an aspiring writer, I truly appreciate your willingness to let us in on your day-to-day dealings.
I come back to your blog often, and read again the fabulous section on queries. I can’t tell you have invaluable it is to have that information at my fingertips.
Thanks again, and congratulations to you and your authors.
-Ashley
When I built a backyard pool for me, my kids and their friends, we had a blast playing in it, jumping and waterbombing and splashing and cavorting.
My neighbor didn’t like the racket. He scolded me for allowing the pool to be used for that. He said I be training my kids in the freestyle and the breaststroke.
To which I said, it’s my pool, pal. You and yours can play in it if you want, but don’t tell me how I should be swimming in it.
I for one feel Kristin should not be blogging, agenting, contracting or any other -ing, but should be spending her time going around telling publishers to stop printing covers with headless people on them.
I like my peeps with heads. Most of the folks I know still have theirs. My Day Job Boss bit mine off a long time ago, but I remember how it felt to have one.
Kristin is incredibly professional and gracious. She recently gave me a real fair shake when considering representing me. Even though she didn’t choose to do so in the end, I absolutely give her high marks and would recommend her in an instant if someone asked for an opinion of her work as an agent. Keep on doing what you’re doing, Kristin!
Brian
There’s a saying about gift horses…
If you don’t like the way Kristin blogs, don’t read this blog. Sheesh.
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Ignoring some of the comments above, I wish to say congrats for reaching another milestone with your agency, Kristen!
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The sound Linus makes when he loses his security blanket?
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