00:06:10 RJ Thesman: Hello everyone - it's fun seeing the different offices where we all work. 00:06:49 chipmacgregor: I’m in a back room at the Palace of Versailles. 00:07:06 San Dee Crabtree: I do various things, I also teach Chinese children English, that's why my background is like it is. 00:07:58 Robyn Monroe: Mine lags 00:08:11 Robyn Monroe: And I end up interrupting people because I am not in sync 00:08:21 Joyce McCullough: Good morning! 00:08:51 Rhonda Dragomir: Good morning everyone! 00:09:22 Lana Jackson: Good Morning 00:09:40 Renee Lee: I use to spend my summers in California and it always took me days to adjust from CT. 00:10:10 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Good morning to you, 4 PM in Toulouse France, opposite the world then ! 00:10:13 Brandy Brow: That’s stupid-o’clock. 00:10:41 Brandy Brow: Not a fan of early waking. 00:11:20 Robyn Monroe: O dark thiry 00:11:34 Jennifer Cotney: If a writer has a relationship with a publisher who has shown strong interest in the writer's work, will that relationship be at risk if the writer seeks an agent before submission? Or should that writer submit directly to the publisher? 00:11:49 Robyn Monroe: 37 00:11:50 Jennifer Cotney: and one more question: 00:11:59 San Dee Crabtree: How to you begin to find an agent? 00:12:06 Jennifer Cotney: If an agent is representing an author with a manuscript on submission but has not gotten an interested response, does the author seek new representation or focus on new work? 00:12:27 Cole Claybourn: I’m writing my first book. I’m developing my platform, but wanted to hear from you what agents look for in debut authors in terms of platform? Is there a certain number of followers you look for in total or on each platform? 00:12:45 Rhonda Dragomir: Cole. Ditto. Great question. 00:12:45 Renee Lee: Can you get an agent if you have an unfinished manuscript? Or does the manuscript need to be complete? 00:13:27 RJ Thesman: Biggest advantage of having an agent when I get so many more royalties pubbing as an Indie ? 00:13:29 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Does it make sense to seek an agent even if not american (french in my case) ? 00:13:30 Robyn Monroe: My audio cut out. Did you tell us what country you came from? 00:13:41 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Are translators sought too ? 00:13:58 Robyn Monroe: Awwwww Ranger Rick! 00:14:19 Barbara Britton: I have been pitching agents since the 2016 ACFW Conference. I write Biblical fiction and agents tell me it's a hard sell. I was even told there was no place for me in the industry because I write "short." I have 7 books traditionally published and have hit several big milestones. I'm a Carol Award finalist. My friends say it's time to get an agent, but when you write in an unpopular genre, how do you do that? I've heard "No" so many times. 00:14:20 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Good question Renee 00:14:47 Heidi Keiser: Do I include overlaps in my platform? (Several people follow my writing page on both Facebook and Instagram.) Do I include the number of followers on both my personal and writing social media accounts? 00:14:47 Barbara Fox: If an unpublished author with a Christian literary agent switches to writing for the general market do they need to search for a general market agent? 00:14:57 Brandy Brow: If you write fiction and nonfiction, can you contract with an agent for just one and freelance the other? 00:16:18 Cole Claybourn: Most big publishers won’t accept a proposal unless it comes from an agent. 00:16:38 Rhonda Dragomir: I pitched my book to an editor at a major publisher. She wanted to see it, but cautioned that they don't work with unagented writers. 00:17:02 Sarah Velotta: 😂 00:17:30 Joyce McCullough: Did you and Bob Hostetler go to the same sense of humor school? :-) 00:18:02 Joyce McCullough: I LOVE Rachel Hauck!!! 00:18:23 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: I love Rachel Hauck, I follow her Instagram devotional, such an open heart ! 00:18:33 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: And read her books ! 00:18:41 Rhonda Dragomir: I hesitate to say an agent submission is simultaneous. It seems like the person receiving it isn't my first choice. Is that a hindrance to you when the submission is simultaneous? 00:19:22 Robyn Monroe: So helpful 00:20:08 tabethamcmonagle: Forgive me I am very new to the process…What is the order Editor then Agent or Agent then Editor? Or both at same time? 00:21:26 Naomi Musch: Do you expect your authors to pitch to publishers at conferences like this, or would you rather they let you do that, or checked with you first? Is there a general protocol that most agents prefer? 00:21:27 Rhonda Dragomir: The more I know about this business, the more I understand the importance of relationships and networking. 00:22:20 Robyn Monroe: hahahaha 00:23:17 Cynthia Stroop: How to do get to know prospective clients to know if they're a good fit for you? 00:23:47 Carrie Walker: In the panel you mentioned you were mostly looking for non-fiction. Are you open to fiction at all? If so, what type might catch your attention? 00:25:21 Rhonda Dragomir: I've said if writing is like football, getting a contract with a major publishing house is like being drafted by the NFL. Very few, and only the very skilled/talented make it. 00:25:44 Joan Hetzler: Do you recommend an author use a pen name when they publish a memoir or even with fiction? pros? cons? doesn't matter? 00:25:54 Joyce McCullough: How do we override the "dumb luck" thing? 00:25:56 Renee Lee: Rhonda you have a lot of wonderful insights. 00:26:17 Tracy Schuldt Helixon: Rhonda, that's such a helpful analogy. Thank you! 00:26:55 Rhonda Dragomir: I've gained those insights through some significant hits. I wear the bruises with some satisfaction. Be encouraged - shine, and shine brilliantly. Someone will see you are a diamond. 00:27:00 Robyn Monroe: Are you strong at contracts? 00:27:31 Joyce McCullough: I've been attending conferences and making connections for 20 years. Yes, I've been published in magazines and devos, but I can't get anyone to look at my children's books. Do I keep writing in this genre? 00:27:51 Cynthia Stroop: Chip, blunt is truth...truth in love when shared with caring!!! 00:28:02 Cynthia Stroop: Love it! 00:28:10 Brandy Brow: Straight to the point is an asset. 00:28:12 Renee Lee: Is there a place you can go to find a list of Christian agent? 00:28:12 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: I had 0.71 cents with a kids books of five years ago still sold as an ebook online… for 5 books ! An agent could make better « use » of the book I guess… 00:28:43 Cole Claybourn: Renee — Michael Hyatt has a huge list of Christian agents. On his website, I believe 00:28:59 Penny: ?? Do I query one agent at a time or should I send to more than one at a time? 00:29:04 Robyn Monroe: You can judge a book by its cover??? 00:29:32 Rhonda Dragomir: Get something done...my bugaboo. 00:29:54 Rhonda Dragomir: I ditched everything - sm, etc. to finish. 00:30:33 Leann: Scholastic has an editor looking at a 2nd draft of mine for a series for early readers. Do I need an agent to help me with a contract? 00:31:14 Robyn Monroe: Should I have a professional editor edit the book before I send it to agents? 00:31:16 Rhonda Dragomir: Leann, layperson's opinion - I'd never sign a contract without someone looking it over. 00:31:30 RJ Thesman: Are you accepting any books about the writing craft? 00:31:31 Brandy Brow: I believe there are contract lawyers you can hire to help navigate contracts. 00:32:14 Joyce McCullough: A couple of years ago the Christian Writers Mkt Guide (entire children's book section) was not "currently accepting submissions." I accepted this as true. Based on your comments, should I have sent my work to them anyway? 00:36:41 tabethamcmonagle: What is a good platform number? 00:37:24 Rhonda Dragomir: These are answers I've been seeking, and many agents won't answer so honestly. Thank you, Chip. 00:38:03 Robyn Monroe: this info is So helpful 00:38:43 Robyn Monroe: Do you tend to sell a fraction of your number of followers? 00:38:59 Robyn Monroe: Or do you sell multiples of your number of followers? 00:39:03 Grace Greene: Are those selling numbers for release week or over time? 00:39:26 Rhonda Dragomir: How do you find sales numbers on titles to write the comp section of your proposal? 00:40:11 Robyn Monroe: this is very helpful!!! 00:40:14 Rhonda Dragomir: Oh no, we're not asleep! 00:40:16 Sarah Velotta: We’re good, taking notes, keep going! 00:40:29 Sally Shupe: This is very interesting! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge! 00:40:30 Katie Robles: On average, how long (months, years) does it take to sell a project? How long before you expect to earn money on that author? 00:40:37 San Dee Crabtree: Way to interesting to nod off, soaking up everything. 00:42:10 Grace Greene: Combining Indie with finding Traditional publishers is a great way to expand reader reach. 00:42:45 Robyn Monroe: Absolutely correct. Amazon is a monopoly of sorts 00:43:55 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: I will 00:44:12 Robyn Monroe: Pomme de terre? potatoes 00:44:52 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Do you look for translators as an agent, that was the question 00:45:14 Martha Artyomenko: What was that website? 00:45:21 Cole Claybourn: What was that website/database he just mentioned for agents? 00:45:52 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Was it publishermarketplace ? 00:45:56 sandysavage: i sent my book to a publisher and it was finished. It was my first book and they accepted. They charge to do your book. Is that good? 00:46:27 Rhonda Dragomir: Does Publisher's Marketplace report book sales numbers? 00:46:30 Rhonda Dragomir: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ 00:48:06 Rhonda Dragomir: I did a little research the old-fashioned way. I chose Carol Award winners in my genre and searched for the names of their agent. 00:48:34 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Rhonda, you are the boss as always ;o) 00:49:21 Cole Claybourn: How much can endorsements from noteworthy authors or influential Christians help your book sell to an agent/publisher? 00:49:27 Rhonda Dragomir: Here's a great website with a list: https://www.pw.org/literary_agents I recommend Publisher's Weekly newsletters, especially their Religion Book line. 00:49:38 Cynthia Stroop: Chip, you mentioned personality fit with your clients. Can you give an example of personalities you prefer to work with and those that may have difficulty working with you? 00:49:51 Cole Claybourn: Thanks Rhonda! 00:50:03 Barbara Britton: Good idea, Rhonda. I don't believe publisher's Marketplace tells you sales numbers. They do tell you if it's a nice deal, very nice deal and so on, so you can see what the advance size is for the author. 00:51:13 Cole Claybourn: A friend of mine who works in marketing at B&H publishing said sales numbers are really only available to publishers. If you’re a first time author like me, you might not have access to specific numbers like that yet. I researched and couldn’t find that info and it sounded like it’s not readily available. 00:51:30 Rhonda Dragomir: Cole, same experience. 00:52:24 Rhonda Dragomir: I wanted comp titles with successful sales, but it was tough finding any info except Amazon rankings, and they lie. 00:52:47 Grace Greene: Book Report getbookreport.com will give you numbers for your Indie books if you subscribe. 00:53:02 Brandy Brow: Just not fantasy/sci-fi. lol 00:55:14 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: I had to take a pen name as a preschool teacher and administration isn’t so friendly to authors-teachers … but It appears clearly in social media 00:55:49 Barbara Britton: If you write children's book, check out SCBWI--Society of Children's Book Writers and illustrators. I am a member. 00:55:50 RJ Thesman: Some of my coaching clients have to use pen names to protect themselves - as in writing about domestic abuse. 00:55:57 Joyce McCullough: I'm already a member of SCBWI. 00:56:16 Rhonda Dragomir: https://www.scbwi.org/ 00:56:56 Brandy Brow: Can you have an agent for one genre, like children’s, and another agent for adult fiction or nonfiction? 00:57:56 Brandy Brow: That feels weird. 00:58:01 Rhonda Dragomir: Cyle Young is an agent who loves to sell children's books. 00:58:10 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Good point Brandy? I write so many different types of books and thought the same. 00:58:43 Lana Jackson: I'm a member of SCBWI 00:59:06 Deena Adams: I have a family member who is a sports reporter and has a platform of about 30,000 and he pitched a book and was told his platform wasn’t big enough. 01:01:17 Joan Hetzler: for a nonfiction book was is the maximum word count? especially for a memoir? 01:01:56 Shawna Young: When pitching to an agent should you stick to telling the agent about only one of your books or should you pitch yourself as an author with several works? 01:01:59 Lisa Nieman: LOL! 01:02:22 Sally Shupe: This has been the most informative, engaging session! Thank you! 01:02:53 Rhonda Dragomir: Publishers Weekly newsletter shows the top sellers in each genre and how many titles have sold in the past month. 01:03:03 Rhonda Dragomir: or week... 01:03:22 Cole Claybourn: How much can endorsements from noteworthy authors or influential Christians help your book sell to an agent/publisher? 01:04:28 Rhonda Dragomir: Most genres have a "sweet spot" number of words. Lots of websites say what they are. Google it. 01:04:42 Evelyn Wells: Do you ever represent those who write vignettes? 01:06:01 Brandy Brow: NASCAR 01:06:04 Robyn Monroe: cricket 01:06:27 Martha Artyomenko: gymnastics 01:06:31 Robyn Monroe: hahaha 01:06:59 Jennifer Cotney: if a writer has endorsements from notable Christians in media or sports, should they still seek endorsements from the Christian writing world as well? is 3-5 endorsements enough? or just use one big name? 01:08:31 Diana Manos: Thank you! Great informative session! 01:08:53 Penny: Thank you so much for all the great information. 01:09:01 Terri Weldon: Do you represent ABA Cozy Mysteries 01:09:07 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: If I get you well, You are looking for the bestselling book, but most of all for the person/ with a strong voice/ behind the book 01:09:10 Joyce McCullough: Lots of great information! Thank you for the session, and blessings to you and your writers! 01:09:26 Jeanette Cameron: All of this has been very enlightening and helpful, Chip. Thank you so much! 01:09:39 Cynthia Stroop: Question about blogging communities - can you "borrow" their platforms? 01:09:39 San Dee Crabtree: Wonderful info, thank you so much. 01:09:46 Lisa Nieman: Thank you. 01:09:48 Barbara Britton: Thank you, Chip. This has been informative. 01:09:49 Lana Jackson: Thank you, Chip. Very informative. 01:09:55 Rhonda Dragomir: Now I need to revise my book proposal. Sigh. 01:10:05 Brandy Brow: Great class. TYVM! 01:10:20 Cole Claybourn: So is my platform also including the platforms of my endorsements/those who have said they’d promote it? Is all of that considered for my author platform? 01:10:54 Evelyn Wells: This has been very helpful. You have a great sense of humor! Thanks for this presentation. 01:12:17 Gerri Bauer: Good info on state of the market and publishing today. Thanks. 01:12:19 Isabelle-Louisa Robert Bartolo-Treyborac: Thank you for all you shared. It was meaningful. 01:12:19 Cole Claybourn: Thank you, Chip! This was great! 01:12:20 Tracy Schuldt Helixon: Thank you! 01:12:24 Robyn Monroe: Thank you!! 01:12:26 Deena Adams: Thanks so much for the helpful info! 01:12:27 Heidi Keiser: Thank you! 01:12:27 Cynthia Stroop: Thank you! 01:12:29 Naomi Musch: Thanks a bunch! 01:12:30 Carrie Walker: Thank you!!! 01:12:32 Shawna Young: thank you 01:12:32 Rhonda Dragomir: Thank you, Chip! So informative and transparent. I appreciate it. 01:12:33 Karen C: Thank you. Very interesting. 01:12:35 Joan Hetzler: Thank you. 01:12:36 Terri Weldon: Excellent class, thank you! 01:12:38 sarah chafins: Thank you! 01:12:42 Jennifer Cotney: thank you SO much! 01:12:46 joshua!: thank you so much I love your wit... you remind me of my family, Im from NJ.. 01:12:47 sandysavage: thanks so much, you were greats. 01:13:03 Michelle Nebel: Thanks, Chip! Great content AND Urim & Thummim jokes... perfection. 01:14:23 Renee Lee: I am looking forward to your contract session. I have my JD and it really interest me from legal viewpoint. 01:14:42 Rhonda Dragomir: Only the truly weird people like me are still watching. Need popcorn. 01:16:35 Rhonda Dragomir: OK. Now it's too weird. Bye! 01:16:50 chipmacgregor: My coffee is cold. 01:17:14 chipmacgregor: Thanks, everyone!