The Editor/Agent Relationship - podcast

Publishing expert Alan Rinzler discusses the acquisition editor and agent relationship, including why editors want to work with agents, the role of the agent in shopping a book to the right audience, and the importance of an agent for authors. Generally speaking, acquisition editors want to work with agents they know who have provided them with good books or book proposals in the past. Editors have specialties. It’s an agent’s job to know which editors specialize in what. If you’re interested in publishing traditionally (even if you’ve already self-published), you need to have an agent. Agents and editors are best friends and worst enemies at the same time. Agents bring editors good books, but they are also tough negotiators. It's the editor's job to pay as little as possible for a book, and the agent’s job is to get as much as possible. As an author, you want an agent on your side in that negotiation.
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  • I just self-published my first novel, Circle of Life, by Denise Peake-Tucker. You can purchase at amazon.com or download onto your Android device at Google books. Just in case you are looking for new talent, thought I'd put my bid in. It's rough out here on your own. dpeaketucker@gmail.com
  • Thank you for the insights that you have provided. Your expertise and knowledge shine through. It is always good to hear people's experiences and you certainly assit with better understanding the editors role.
  • Very interesting for a starter. A good tool for a beginner who doesn't know what to do with his first book, especially marketing of such Book. And how to approach an agent for onward reaching to the traditional publisher. I will like get in touch, my email- tonykingpresent@yahoo.com. Tony Kingpresent.
  • A very informative presentation by Alan. It seems that the key to having a book published by a traditional publisher is to go through an agent.