Every day legions of writers and wannabes trek over to literary agent Nathan Bransford’s blog for a dose of some of the smartest, most honest, entertaining and generous advice on the book business I’ve seen online.
Leading the charge
Bransford, 28, an agent since 2005 with the venerable Curtis Brown Ltd with offices in San Francisco and New York, takes blogging seriously, and is leading the charge among the handful of agents out there actively connecting this way with writers on the web.
Bransford’s avid followers are hungry for information and encouragement about getting published. He says that up to 7,000 visitors stop by his blog every day, with many commenting on his daily posts about subjects ranging from writing query letters to dealing with rejection.
So what can we learn about the future of the book business from a young tech-savvy literary agent? I spoke with Nathan over lunch last week at Max’s Deli in downtown San Francisco.
Q & A with Nathan Bransford
It’s really exceptional for an agent to maintain a blog like yours. Why do you do it?
I use the blog to give readers an opportunity to get to know me, to see what I’m like, and hopefully they’d conclude that they’d want to work with me.
It’s also frustrating as an agent to have to pass on literally thousands and thousands of projects without an opportunity to provide any feedback, and I saw it as an opportunity to give back and help people make their way in what can be a very opaque business.
Hopefully I’ve been able to help some people along the way.
What do you learn from the readers’ comments you get every day?
I learn so much. I get a pulse of what readers are feeling about books, about their book-buying habits, about their likes and dislikes in potential agents… everything.
Just a couple of weeks ago one of my readers, Steve Fuller, suggested that I could really curb some frustration if I’d just let people send me some sample pages when they query so they wouldn’t feel like they were living and dying solely by their query.
I adjusted my submission procedures accordingly and it’s been a great change – I feel much more comfortable about my decisions now because I can double-check the sample pages, and hopefully everyone now feels like they’re getting a fair shot.
Has your blog helped you get some good writers to represent?
Absolutely. Just about all of my new clients come through the blog.
What do you look for when considering whether or not to take on a new writer?
I’m looking for a relationship for the long haul. I try only to work with people who are talented, professional, and committed, and so far I’ve been very lucky in this regard.
What are some of the books you’ve represented that you’re most proud of and why?
I love every book I’ve worked on, but some notables have been Barry Gifford’s collection of short stories The Stars above Veracruz, which is an incredible work.
I recently handled the movie tie-in edition for a blockbuster movie that’s coming out this summer, and I’m extremely excited about The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard, which is a stunning YA debut novel that will come out in early 2010.
I’m also extremely proud of some of the books that I am representing but haven’t yet sold, but fingers crossed on those.
How’s business? How many sales have you made in the last six months?
A solid handful. I’d be lying if I said business was going like gangbusters. I suspect it isn’t going that way for nearly anyone right now, but I’m staying busy. Business is difficult right now, but I’m sure it will pick up soon. Sales are still coming in though, so I’m not complaining. When things go back to normal and even more sales come in, I have been thinking about looking into virtual bookkeeper services to help me stay on top of the financial side of the business. As outsourcing would save me time, I can focus on book sales. If that does not work out, I may need to hire someone with the required expertise. Perhaps I can then entice them with a few incentives or policies like key person insurance, so I can stay focussed on other aspects of my business. For now, that’s the plan!
Recently your blog has focused on “How to remain positive in the face of negativity.” How are you leaning these days – positive or negative?
I’d say I’m cautiously hopeful. It’s definitely frustrating working in a business that increasingly will spend $5 million on the latest celebrity book but can’t find $20,000 to take a chance on a quirky debut novel.
But I think there are still many opportunities out there, and I’m hoping the emerging electronic publishing will help ease some of the barriers that have held writers back.
What do you think books will look like in five years? With the ability of writers to reach their readers directly, what will be the role of agents, editors, and publishers?
E-books are the future. The devices may change, but just about everyone I know who has an e-reader is never going back. They love them. For convenience and portability, they’re unmatched.
With electronic distribution, however, will come a huge deluge of books, whether from traditional publishers or self-published, and branding and marketing are going to become even more important.
And then there’s also the question of copyrights and intellectual property rights when it comes to electronically distributed publications; with the advantages that the Internet brings there are also a few disadvantages that could hinder the process. Hackers and other ill-intended elements could gain access to e-books and distribute them illegally, and thus protecting publications online with the help of entities that hold expertise in cybersecurity, such as IDC managed detection and response providers, could also start to gain importance.
The role of publishers especially is going to change dramatically as there will be tremendous downward pressure on prices and publishers increasingly retrench behind “known” commodities and bestsellers.
Publishers will live and die by their big bets if they aren’t cultivating any small bets that have the potential of panning out in a big way.
Are there any publishers whom you admire for their response to the big changes happening in the book business?
On the major publisher level I think it’s impossible to ignore the recent success of Hachette up and down their imprints, from children’s side all the way up through the quality books at Jon Karp’s imprint and the incredible roster of suspense novelists at Grand Central.
They know what they do, and they do it well. Sometimes it’s not brain surgery.
And on the small press side, I really admire what Benjamin LeRoy is doing at Bleak House, connecting directly with readers through blogs and podcasts, and enjoying some terrific success.
The future new voices in literature are often going to come from small presses giving them a launch, and it’s going to take people like Benjamin to connect them with readers.
What specifically will the role of agents be for the increasing numbers of writers who choose self-publishing?
Agents will be the navigators and experts in a publishing world that is growing more and more chaotic.
I think you’ll see agents snapping up self-published books that are catching on and working out distribution deals and selling sub-rights like film and translation.
One of the other reasons I started the blog was to build an audience and hopefully give my clients a boost by the publicity it affords.
Agents are increasingly going to serve as tastemakers and gatekeepers, and hopefully I’ll be able to afford my clients a “brand” and publicity platform that I’ve built through my blog and existing clients.
Have you heard about agents who are starting to work with self-published writers to package and market their books?
Absolutely. The possibilities are still somewhat limited because of the financial demands of self-publishing and the distribution barrier, so it’s not for everyone.
But there are tremendous opportunities in this arena, particularly for authors who come with a pre-existing platform and the ability to forego an up-front advance.
And if you fit this description, e-mail me, please.
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Readers, what do you think of Nathan Bransford’s concept of a literary agent’s blog providing a potential brand and publicity platform for writers? ~Alan
Appreciating the hard work you put into your website and in depth information you present.
It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t
the same outdated rehashed material. Wonderful read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thank you Alan for the great reply!
You know, for more than ten years, I wrote about my life and I think today what I was waiting on was a “happy ending.” In life there are no real happy endings, mainly because life continues. When I was reunited with my first born son a year and a half ago, I was able to write that last chapter, something positive to end the story with. Then, other events occurred and I went back to the MS to keep writing. It was more than journal writing; it became a different life, or maybe as you mentioned: healing. I do feel that the book has some merit, and would be beneficial for a large audience to read especially in today’s fallen economic times. Although, I may need to hire a ghost writer to help me or at least to click the send button. I think maybe I fear the word: rejection, more than about what others may think.
To have your life “rejected” in a typed up letter, would be hard to handle. Of course, I’ve survived so much, why is this one challenge so difficult! This is a rhetorical question of course. Ah– I’m venting.
The best part of my life has to do with creative writing, it can take a person back to review, or fast forward and dream. I’d like to find some middle ground where I can simply enjoy things and my writing while I can still remember my name :)
Thanks for “listening.”
— Katina
Hi Can’t Let Go –
I understand how difficult it can be for writers who feel shy and vulnerable about what they’ve written, especially if your story was heartbreaking to write. So maybe just getting it out was enough.
Have you seen the book The Healing Power of Memoir? I wrote a post about it that you can read here: https://alanrinzler.com/2010/01/10/writing-a-memoir-7-tips-for-defeating-your-inner-critic/
Who says everyone has to publish their memoir after it’s written? Or at least why rush into it? It could stay in your drawer for a while, and maybe you could self-publish later for selected readers who feel safe to you. If that feels OK, then you could try a wider group of trusted friends and empathic family members.
Ultimately you might feel differently, and could shift to broader submission, self-publishing, distribution and readership.
With the popularity of social media rising, having a face to go with a name is always beneficial. It’s hard for an aspiring author to pick from the thousands of literary agent leads online. Who to turn to? A well written blog by a popular agent is like finding gold underneath of a 70’s colored rainbow! You can’t beat it.
Although this discussion has to do with the blog, I’d like to throw something out here since so many amazing professionals have posted here:) If it’s not acceptable, my apologies.
I cannot seem to let go of my ms, even though it is written, and proof read. I’ve paid an editor to do a professional edit one last sweep if you will. Not even pre-paying can get me motivated to submit it. The story was heartbreaking to write and I still have some PSTD from some past traumas, hence the reason for writing this particular book. I’m afraid to admit that my book is beating me up. Any advice on this?
Again, please feel free to edit my comment reply if this is unacceptable. I have been trying to work on my book and I simply don’t want to ever read it again. Why do I hate it so much! Any book writing therapist in the mix? :)
Thanks,
— KW
Nathan’s blog is refreshing, honest and exudes positive energy. For a writer, the way he shows what works and what would not is invaluable. Rather than telling do this, don’t do that!
Nathan has attitude. This acts as a lighthouse for the new novelist who is tempest-tossed in the deep seas of dejection and rejection.
I’m an avid reader of Nathan’s blog. It’s actually bookmarked on my google toolbar as a frequently read site I love it that much. I appreciate Nathan’s enthusiasm for what he does and his professionalism when he shares his advice and opinions with us. I love the fact that he is so personable and shows respect to those that comment on his blog. He’s an agent I would recommend to anyone.
Great interview! I’m another (fairly new) follower of Nathan’s blog and the service he provides to writers is beyond extraordinary. As for your question, I do think that Nathan’s blog provides a platform for his authors. In fact, I’m heading over to Amazon to check out “The Stars Above Veracruz” as soon as I read your entry about falling in love with your characters.
Interesting to note that alot of the people leaving comments arrived HERE because they love Nathan.
About the publicity potential of Nathan Brasford’s blog let’s imagine that when he tells his readers about a book, a modest 10 percent of them buy that book because it also happens to be their favorite genre and because they trust Nathan’s taste (of course these numbers are hypothetical since I have no real way of estimating them now). Ten percent of his 7000 blog readers would be 700 people. Now let’s imagine that, of these 700 people, half of them like the book and manage to get one other person to buy the book. Again half of those other people like the book and so on and so forth.
The number of total sales produced by this model would be 700+700/2+700/(2*2)+700/(2*2*2)+….
Or 700(1+1/2+1/(2*2)+1/(2*2*2)+….)
Which is a known convergent infinite series and its sum is equal to 700*2 = 1400 sales generated by the blog. This may be very far from the actual blog effect but a survey would probably generate input data to evaluate and refine the model. Nathan probably already has a more accurate mathematical model for it anyway. I just thought it would be a fun exercise.
Nathan Bransford’s blog is a great source of information for me as an engineer who loves to write but knows nothing about it. Being a stay at home mother at this time, I mostly work on children’s picture books, which Nathan does not accept. But I plan on other projects and will definitely query Nathan about those for many reasons including the publicity potential of his blog. Another reason, as he also mentioned it, is that I like working with an agent with the beliefs and character that he portrays in his blog. In your interview with him, I read his motivations for maintaining the blog. As one of his readers, I would say he has accomplished those goals.
His bog is amazing. I’ve been reading it on a daily basis for over a year now.
I think platform is important in nonfiction and for books with limited sales expectations POD-based options can work, albeit not well. They’re less likely to for fiction. POD by definition means limited release. This is why most fail and when one sells a thousand copies it makes news. The first thing the publisher does with a book like that is the print several thousand copies for distribution. Nathan points out the limitation in that regard. It’s real and it kills 99.9 percent of POD books of any kind. Nothing has changed this yet.
Nathan, a well thought interview. I like your views on the publishing field and the attention you’ve paid to both traditional and independent publishing companies–even those that use POD or digital technology. There are a number of disparaging critics of POD in any form. But you show that they are being taken seriously and your comment “But there are tremendous opportunities in this arena, particularly for authors who come with a pre-existing platform and the ability to forego an up-front advance.”
I’m in promotion and I work with both traditional and POD authors and you are so dead on with the comment regarding “pre-existing platform”. There are some very motivated authors published by Independent publishers using digital or POD technology and eBook publishing that have far surpassed the measily 100 books touted as their limit by naysayers. I’m glad to see they are of interest to editors, agents, and publishers alike.
I do enjoy reading your blog. Lots of excellent info in your archives.
Personally, it scares the heck out of me to think that there would be no agents and no culling of awful books in the future. I also think it’s highly unlikely. If/when e-books take over the market, then I think you will have a handful of respected websites where people will feel comfortable going to download a good book – probably run by the big name bookstores that we’re all familiar with now. To get on one of those sites you will need to have an agent, and be accepted by a publishing house.
The other scenario, where there are no agents, and everyone can just pour their books onto the Net on haphazard sites; where there is no clear way for a reader to sift through the hundreds of thousands of books that will be out there; where you will waste your time downloading things that sound okay, but end up being grammatically unreadable because they haven’t been through any sort of editorial process – this is what will kill the book industry.
Wow. It’s a whole Nathan Fan Club. I was going to go on and leave my comment about how great his blog is — but everyone said it better than I could. Nathan — You’re the best!!!
bb-
I know that there are bad apple agents out there and I’m sorry you’ve had experiences that reflect poorly on our profession, but I share your optimism about the e-publishing world. It’s not necessarily your agent’s fault for trying to shoehorn you into certain areas that you didn’t want to operate in. We have to respond to the market. But when things are opened up with e-publishing there will be lots more freedom, and readers will be the ones deciding what succeeds.
But this isn’t going to mean the end of agents. I just think you’ll see our job transition from gatekeepers to promoters/amplifiers who spot talent, work out distribution and packaging deals, sell subrights like film, audio and translation, and try to help an author reach the next level of success.
AE-
You write, “What is more likely is that editors will simply band together and form a brand of their own and through this brand the electronic works will be siphoned and accordingly, stamped with approval.”
What makes you think editors are going to do this instead of agents, or that this would represent a better deal for writers?
Agents might not be particularly popular among the unagented, but our approval ratings are far, far higher for those who do have agents and who have successfully published. Our interests are aligned with the authors, whereas editors have to answer first to their publishers — it’s not in an editor’s interest to give an author the best deal possible. You need an agent to get the best deal. I don’t doubt that there will be small presses who do precisely what you outline, but authors will always need agents to negotiate on their behalf with whatever companies are distributing content.
Again: we are on the side of the authors. As long as authors are around, agents will be too. If we didn’t earn our commission we simply wouldn’t be around right now. Who is going to submit an author’s work to film studios for a movie adaptaion? Negotiate contracts? Work out distribution deals? Get a better deal for an author when their work takes off? Serve as business/creative managers? Sure, authors can do this on their own, but a) who has that kind of time, and b) you’re not going to do better than someone who has this kind of expertise.
I feel like a lot of times people let their frustrations with agents result in some misguided hopes for our demise. Just remember, we’re on the author’s side. Hoping that we disappear so that authors can face the Amazons and publishers of the future on their own is not particularly constructive.
I’m not sure that I understand how Nathan’s blog can work as a publicity platform for writers. I do know that the most useful thing I’ve found on the internet for myself as a writer, aside from query-writing advice (which is everywhere), is Nathan’s recent contest of first paragraphs which instantly revealed what the competition looked like, how I rate among other unpublished writers, and what among hundreds of entries a literary agent is eventually drawn to. As a new writer trying to get published, that exercise completely opened my eyes.
Dear bb
You don’t need to wait. You can self-publish your book now, on any one of many reputable POD independent publishing services. For not that much money you can launch your book to readers online, posting one or more free chapters, web marketing, selling downloads on your web-site. No reason to postpone the day.
Alan
I hope AE is correct. There doesn’t seem to be any good reason why an agent should serve as a middleman in the future scenario (with apologies to Nathan, who is clearly a fine person and talented agent). Why should a writer give any money to an agent/ why should an editor give an agent any money to find them a writer, in future? Access will be available for anyone with eyes to see and time to find what they are looking for. I look forward to that day eagerly, tired of being held back in my career by agents who lose enthusiasm after the first round of rejects, steer me toward certain kinds of writing (that they can sell), and serve as self-appointed gatekeepers to a world that only exists because of writers.
I would bet homebuilders feel this way about realtors. Where’s the value-added in? Bring on the new world of e-publishing–quickly! This writer cannot wait.
The statement about agents becoming the tastemakers is hopeful, at best, and obviously smeared in self interest. No agent wants to accept their demise. What is more likely is that editors will simply band together and form a brand of their own and through this brand the electronic works will be siphoned and accordingly, stamped with approval.
This is inevitable because the publishing houses will disappear as books go electronic and POD replaces standard publishing. Books will go to stores in small batches, Book stores will be more like specialty, luxury shops where the products will be loaded with ‘special features’ like DVDs are now.
The likely fate of the agent is similar to the writer: competition will become extreme as their position as gatekeeper will diminish by orders of magnitude until they are really just not required at all. Writer’s will be divided between those that understand how to build a platform and those that don’t. In fact, agents would be wise to transition now into publicity as the world will be swamped with electronic titles and only advertising will cull the crowd of them.
Agenting is openly a game of defense and soon this will be redundant. Electronic book format will create a situation where only the cream rises to the top (market driven) and editors will simply scoop it off. What’s more is that the breakdown of the big houses will leave editors with new opportunities to involve themselves in the culture of books in the way that small presses have attempted to do. But it will work, the editor will emerge as the co-star to the novel in that they brand the book, they determine it’s access to the huge sales streams and their opinions and contributions will become as important, publicly, as the writer. From there, writer/editor teams will replace entirely the agent as the editor will be working for the largest possible profit viz the actual market.
I have learned a ton by following Nathan’s blog. It’s a must read for anyone who even thinks about getting published. Nathan is the Jedi Master and we are his little Padawans!
I’ve been following Nathan for a while and he is one of the few who made the cut when I curtailed my blog reading substantially. He always has good advice and he’s positive. Plus, his posts are like a how-to guide for getting an agent and getting published. This interview is typical of why he is so popular.
I’m a huge fan of NB’s blog. He’s spot on when it comes to surveying the publishing landscape. With the possible exception of EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, I’ve learned more about the industry from Nathan than any other source.
Fabulous interview – thank you! Peace, Linda
Thanks for letting us listen in on this conversation. Came here via a twitter link, and glad I discovered both of you.
I have loved Nathan’s blog since the first time I visited. I couldn’t hit that FOLLOW button fast enough! Nathan genuinely cares about people and he loves and recognizes raw talent. He’s willing to take chances, it seems, and that means a lot this world of would-be published writers!
THANK YOU, Nathan! And thank you for this post, too! What a great interview!
I love Nathan’s blog. I am not a blogger, but I met Nathan at a Redwood Writers meet in Sonoma County, CA last year and told myself that if I could ever break the habit of revising my novel I’d query him. I should send a query asking him if he knows a cure for the revising disease. He seems very knowledgeable, easy to be with, committed, hard working, and professional. I am the same and know that when I break the revising habit I will muster the courage to ask if he would like to give my historical novel a quick look-see.
I am another fan of Nathan’s poking my head in. His blog is so helpful and informative. Even though I don’t get to read it every day (having 5 kids, job searching and trying to get into school takes its toll on time), I try to go back and read all the entries I missed whenever I get the chance.
Nathan’s blog is perfect for all levels of writers. I have learned so much from his posts and his community. This business is more than opaque, there are actually smoke screens keeping us from the door. The more I know how publishers do business, the better my shot is at getting published. He’s an excellent resource online and gives me a good laugh nearly every day. That’s talent.
I know there are a lot of structural problems in the publishing industry, and they are struggling along with everyone else in the current economic climate. But I actually think the biggest problem is marketing – books don’t reach their readers a lot of the time. I have a friend who is a huge reader who doesn’t like to go into bookstores because they overwhelm her – she asks, “where is my iTunes for books?”
So I definitely think Nathan is onto something when he talks about the potential for agents to fill some of that role. A daily audience of 7K is no small thing.
I love Nathan’s blog. I’ve learned so much there. I now try to visit his blog every day, comment, and take part in the fascinating discussions that so often take flight, quickly adding up to 200+ comments from readers. There’s a very creative atmosphere over there, beginning with Nathan’s insightful and witty daily posts. Free and open discussion is permitted, with only direct insults being deleted. Positivity Week was awesome, and Negativity Week was a hoot!
Great Interview! I follow Nathan’s blog and have found it to be very informative as well as an interesting read. His site draws a wide variety of readers, so it’s never boring. He has lots of info on the sidebar, and he seems to actually read the comments that his readers make. Now I plan to follow your blog as well, since it hadn’t shown up on my radar before.
BTW – I liked the posting further down from you on ‘loving your characters’. I have several characters, male and female, that I like quite a bit. When they were first created I took your advice about getting to know them and what makes them tick – I did profiles on each one, and imagined them coming into a room. It worked for me.
I wouldn’t mind seeing more agent interviews on your site. I prefer that to guest blogs, but either gives us more information on the ‘scary’ world of agents and publishers.
This was a really interesting interview. As someone who frequents Nathan’s site regularly, I can attest to how helpful it is. He writes comprehensive instructions about queries, and hosts very interesting discussions on current publishing issues.
I also think he is quite foresighted in his predictions about electronic books. His use of the blog is one way he is already using technology in a positive way.
And I do think it’s very positive. If nothing else, a blog builds community. I see readers, authors and agency professionals frequent the blog together. People who ordinarily would never meet are talking to each other, sharing ideas and information, establishing connections. That’s truly valuable. The more connections, the faster information can travel, the better. That’s the magic of the internet. It makes the world not only smaller, but more accessible.
Nathan’s blog is terrific – positivity week is just what we all needed. I think writers read ‘industry’ blogs to get a feel for what is going on in publishing. If an agent’s blog promotes his clients that’s a bonus for both of them, but the reason Nathan has a great audience is his blog dispenses useful, clear, up to the minute advice with a good dose of humour.
Nathan’s blog is one that I read regularly. I like his style and the fact that he “gets it.” He is dead on when he says that ebooks are the future. Paper books will be around forever, but the real action will be in ebooks. Demographics make it so.
As to the agent providing a platform for his clients, I suppose that makes sense, but I doubt it contributes much to overall sales. I think most agent blogs are read by would be clients, and their primary interest is not in finding a good book to read. Still all publicity has to be welcome.
~jon
I know I like Nathan’s style, I read his blog and enjoy it. When he recommends a book, or picks up a new client, I know there’s a chance I’ll be interested. It at least makes me give a book I might never pick up a look. There’s no promise I’ll buy, but it’s like getting a book recommendation from a friend who likes what I like, there’s a better chance of me buying and enjoying the book than if there was no publicity from him.
I have been a long time fan of Nathan’s blog, and the contests he offers which ultimately provides a deeper insight into what agents look for.
Morgan
I love Nathan’s blog – which incidentally led me to this one. I like the aura of positivity he creates, in addition to great advice. You read his posts and he gives you hope, (and other agents aren’t as cute, either!) On the other hand, he may find himself a victim of his own success. Whilst I am lucky enough to have a wonderful agent, if I were without one, I would not query Nathan Bransford if I had a novel which fulfilled his submission criteria, simply because I would imagine he is now over-run with slush.