Express your needs and expectations: how do you want to hear responses (as they come in? once a month? verbatim or simply 'pass'?) Check in with me if you need to!
Accommodations: are there any accommodations I can provide that will help you be the most successful in your career? (examples: communication needs, editorial considerations (dyslexia, ADD), time/timing considerations).
Got ideas? I'm always open to hearing them!
When business talk comes up, send it to me
If you’re attending conferences, talk to me before you sign up for critiques or pitches - I can direct you to whom I think will best serve your work (if anyone)
Work on a new book
Don’t go in panic mode: it can take a LONG TIME
Be patient: editing is a PROCESS
Stay sane: Write your next book!
It’s a fabulous idea to start working on a new project (not a sequel, something new) to fall in love with and get wrapped up in to keep your mind off the waiting. I highly recommend that you don’t jump around – build from what you just edited. But we can talk. :)
For example, writing and editing a novel and then jumping to a picture book is like going to college for four years for accounting and then going to culinary school. You aren’t building from your experience, you’re starting over. And the farther you are from what you went to school for (the novel) the more you’ll have to re-learn. That said, I know that many of you are prolific, so:
Novelists Generally, for novelists, you can work on different genres until you're under contract. That's when you'll need to build a firm base before branching into something new (I usually recommend three of one genre under contract before branching out). If you do want to branch out sooner, talk to me - it may be possible, as long as you are able to continuously build in BOTH areas.
Picture Books I will generally allow for 2-3 texts to be out at the same time. But, no more than 2 during the same season or roughly the same genre. For example, if I go out with a lyrical text in January, I would think it's ok to go out with a nonfiction text in February, but I'd wait until like May-June to go out with another lyrical text.
All The reason I limit pitching is because of editor overlap - I can't go to the same editors with multiple projects, and I can't overlap imprints (i.e., I can't send two editors at Holt two different manuscripts). So it's a juggling act; as long as I feel like there's enough breathing space between sub lists and no overlap, I will do it.
start working on a website
It doesn't need to be fancy; you don't need to purchase a domain name now, either. Most consumers only go to them when they are looking for a specific piece of information (like school visits availability, author bio, recommended reading order of books). You can have a homepage with tabs for About You (with photo), Books, and Contact. Your About You page should include a bio and a bit about what you write (or have written). If you want to try out a blog, put together a list of 20 ideas before you start so you can keep content consistent. Consider querying tips, interviewing other authors or agents, book reviews.
Children's authors: Be sure the site is both school/library/parent AND kid friendly (info on books, school visits, but also some interactivity).
General Tips & What To Include
Create an author website with a mailing list option
Create readership early, connect in the beginning
A foundation of loyal readers will keep coming back and will keep talking up how much they love the author.
What should the page contain? Your bio, including any social media handles
A list of your books, ideally with cover images and links to purchase them.
Contact information either for you directly or for your publicist and/or agent.
Reviews/accolades of your books.
Information about school visits
Include buy links when available; if a book isn’t up on retailer sites yet, you can link to it on Goodreads. In fact, when most covers are revealed, readers often add to Goodreads but very rarely actually hit preorder at a major account. (Actual preorders typically come later, closer to pub, so by driving to Goodreads, you have a better chance of readers following through on the action you are asking them to take!)
Include links to socials! Knowing that most readers rarely come to you via your website, think about where you go to readers. This might be different for each author, but could include: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, a newsletter, etc. These links rival the buy links as the most important part of the author website. Please check that these links are working and are prominent.
Please remember to check in with your editor or designer before posting content from the book itself, like passages or interior spreads, on social media. Please note that certain information, like reviews, can be time-sensitive, so make sure you're cleared to post those before you do so.
Format: simple and easy to navigate.
Mobile-friendly: more than half of fan-visits to author websites are from mobile devices like cell phones and tablets.
Keep current: all content should be accurate and current. Review every 3 months to be sure it reflects who you are and what you’re doing currently.
URL: register a URL that ideally utilizes your name (ex: authorname.com or authornamewriter.com, etc.)
Home page: This is the hub of your website, where most visitors will end up after googling you. There should be a minimum of 300 words of text with keywords in it, including your genre and books written.
About: Include relevant, professional bio, and a recent photo.
Contact: Include your agents’ information for rights sales and your publicist’s contact info. We recommend a contact form rather than using your own email address.
Book Pages: Every one of your books should have its own page, cover, relevant “buy” links, description, pull quotes and links to its most positive reviews.
A “Buy” link: This link leads to a shopping cart to purchase your book. The link should be placed on every page of your website - follow your publisher’s guidelines while setting this feature up.
We encourage authors to have multiple buy links, especially including an Indie bookstore and/or Bookshop.org, as well as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. (I can’t overstate the importance of multiple buy links – not only do buyers from big chains sometimes check an author’s website when they are deciding on promotions, but I’ve heard that indie booksellers often check to make sure that it’s not just an Amazon link before giving their support as well.)
If you don’t have space or bandwidth to include multiple buy links, you can always link to your book on the Publisher's website, which may have multiple links listed there.
Most of the accounts also don’t include listings for books until a certain date range before pub. Some are earlier than others; Amazon is typically one of the first to post, but still requires being within a window of 300 days of the on sale date.
Email newsletter registration form: This connects to a service like MailChimp or Constant Contact that will allow you to email blast your fans.
*Note: The most important part of your web page is the placement of the email registration form. Visitors need to be able to find it! During times of heavy book promotion, it’s worth thinking about pop-up boxes with a sign-up/registration form that can be easily bypassed if needed. Pop-ups are annoying, but there’s a reason why so many websites use them: They work!
Things to Consider:
You might want to consider embedding widgets from companies like Zola or Aerbook, which allow people to sell books directly from their site.
Other retailers include (note - this list is not inclusive, and may vary from publisher to publisher)
Amazon
B&N
Indiebound
Books-A-Million
iBooks
Kobo (This link will take you to a “browser unsupported” page, but if you click any of the categories under the headings, the website will fix itself.)
GoogleBooks
Powell’s
Possibly your publisher’s website (depending on the publisher)
Your local bookstore(s)
Optional Pages
Events: This helps you tell your fans about your upcoming public appearances. Delete past events after they are no longer relevant to avoid clutter. If you don’t want to continually update then remove this page entirely.
Media page: This page will offer downloadable hi-res author photos, covers, and press releases. Work with your publicist so that page will be successful.
International sales: Include this to illustrate successes you have in other countries.
Blog: Be committed and update on a regular schedule, if you decide to do it at all.
Use what works for you: it's better to be active on one site than have several neglected ones. Twitter is best for engagement with other authors and gatekeepers; Instagram & TikTok are better for direct fanbase interaction.
It's ok to network primarily with other industry professionals at this point
Get involved with genre-relevant chats: for example, #kidlitchat, #PBchat, #MGBookChat and #Kidlit411
Join genre-related Facebook groups: for example, Dial C for Cozy, Kidlit Alliance
Remember your audience: editors look you up, and so do readers! Don't post anything you wouldn't want an editor or reader to see.
The same goes for posting anything vague but timeline related to subbing. Even if it's not your exact pitch or samples, don't mention when you went out with a project or allude to the waiting game. This industry is small, don't burn bridges!
Support other authors!
Be a person, not a robot. Talk about your interests, your life.
Talk back! Interact with those who @ you. Follow back or follow anyone you "meet" in those spaces so that they'll follow you and you can then publicize your book.
Don't force anything. Be authentic. People want to get to know you, and, once your book comes out, especially for a debut, people often remember the author before the title (and want to help spread the word if they feel they know you!)
Do not post details about the submission process, i.e., when/what things are going out, to which editors, rejections etc.
Do not post your query letter (I like to pitch a project as the next hottest thing, regardless of if it’s a first or third round of submissions. If an editor looks up an author and sees that the project they have is from over a year or more ago…it doesn’t leave the best impression!)
Remove any blog posts that go into detail about unsold books (especially if they have a date stamp). Also remove any sample chapters from your unsold books (things will likely change in edits both with me and your editor, and you want to share only the final polished version)
Illustrators: Art Directors also look to Instagram for new talent. Sketches, new art, fun art - these are all great things to pop up onto Instagram and Twitter. Consider holiday or event-specific art to share, which we will also boost. Editors will look at your social media as they consider your work. Make sure it's up to date and presenting your best self.
START the groundwork for a MARKETING PLAN (OPTIONAL)
put together the basics of a marketing plan
gather together ideas you see that you love and strike you
list organizations, affiliations, associations you’re a part of and who might help support/market
list local libraries, contacts, newspapers, schools
Networking
Start working on or continue networking and building your online presence.
Building up your professional and author networks is key right now. This will help you tremendously post-contract when searching for authors to blurb your book, boost your launch, and of course, with questions and collaboration! This is a longstanding, integrated community, where mutual support is expected and appreciated. That said, mutual support doesn’t always have to mean a big time commitment from you. Even the act of seeing someone and acknowledging their work can be a method of support.
get to know local bookstores and libraries
attend conferences to make connections with other authors
join writing groups or online discussions
get into a consistent rhythm with social media
begin to follow other industry professionals and organically interact
reach out to media and publications for guest post opportunities
Again: it's ok if you're only building relationships with other authors right now.
NETWORKING FOR ILLUSTRATORS
Building up your community, especially with other authors as well, helps boost your visibility to the editors and art directors they work with too!
Where to connect & network with other illustrators and authors online:
SCBWI blueboard is a great place to start and find information https://www.scbwi.org/boards/
Put a call out for illustrators on IG to form a critique group (if don't already have one). One of my clients formed a small (5) person group of illustrator friends and meet via zoom weekly to critique each other’s work.
On Facebook there is a wonderful group for illustrators that gives out fabulous critiques when work is posted. It’s Freelance Illustrator’s Cafè. Note: You will need to request entrance or be invited by a member. It’s run by Vanessa Matte. Highly recommend!
SVSlearn has a free forum where artists offer feedback and she doesn’t even have to take the classes, the forum is open to all. SVSlearn has a very robust illustration community!
The Illustration Department also runs a critique group. https://illustrationdept.com/critique
Justin Colon's PB community http://justincolonbooks.com/pbchat/
12x12 PB writing community https://twitter.com/hashtag/12x12?src=hashtag_click (you don't need to register or join, but interacting with authors here to network is a great idea!)
A few more: https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/blogfish/its-all-about-community-facebook-groups-to-join
Some questions you may have...
Can I ask you questions & for help on books sold by a previous agent?
Absolutely. However, keep in mind that only the agent of record (the agent listed on the contract) is legally allowed to make inquiries into sales, royalties, or contract questions for those titles, unless you specifically write your publisher and let them know you have appointed us as your new representative and we are authorized to inquire as to those books. So it is always a good idea to let your publisher and editor know you have a new agent. Any option titles or unsold subsidiary rights we may also be able to handle, depending on the terms of your previous agency agreement. You will need to look at your previous contract to see if you previous agent/agency will allow us to handle unsold rights and/or if they will still commission these.
What’s the best way to reach you?
Typically email, but always available to schedule a phone or zoom call!
Will you tell me who you are submitting to? Will you share your pitch with me?
Yes. Every client receives access to submission records, and responses that come in, via an AirTable link (this will be sent when you go on sub). HOWEVER – please refrain from “stalking”; so many editors are on Twitter it’s hard not to take what they say as referencing YOUR manuscript, and if you see an editor who has your work or rejected you later at a conference, do NOT bring it up!!!
What is your pitching process? How long do you typically wait for a response?
I pitch via email, typically in rounds of 10-12 editors, unless we've discussed a different strategy. I attach the manuscript when I pitch; if an editor suggests someone else, or passes on pitch, I'll update the AirTable with that note. I’ll wait about 4-6 weeks before nudging, and then every month after that. If there's interest, I'll stalk the person until we have an answer. ...Kidding! Sort of ;)
What happens once we’re on submission?
Very little. It’s a waiting game. I will keep you updated of any news, but will generally only check in when I have something to share. You are more than welcome to check in more frequently and ask any questions. The important thing for you to be doing during this time is writing and networking – start a new idea to get your mind off of being on submission!
What happens if you don’t like a project I send to you?
There’s no need to query me with new works; you can just send a new manuscript over. However, I do strongly prefer to see things at idea or outline phase so I can weigh in before you finish. I will still review each and every manuscript you send to me with the same eye as before you signed with me; i.e., is this marketable? Can I sell it? Does it need revision? I will always be honest and upfront about whether or not I feel a manuscript is marketable or not. If I do tell you that I think it isn’t (which could be for a variety of reasons – the market just isn’t there for that kind of work, the timing is wrong, there’s something else just published like it, etc) it is not a reflection of my interest toward representing you or in my faith and respect for you as a writer. It just means: show me what’s next!
If you’re concerned that your next project might not be marketable, or you’re not sure what to work on next, I am always available for brainstorming.
You can send me ideas, outlines, synopsis – anything – and I will let you know my thoughts!
How often should I update my portfolio?
I will send you notes on what to remove, suggested organization, and suggested new pieces to add. Once we have your portfolio in tip-top shape, I recommend continuing to add new pieces every 3 months or so. Most definitely before we do any mailings or digital sends. If you have new artwork, tag me when you share it online and I will boost!
Being on Submission
what happens in sub club...STAYS in sub club!!
Please don't post online about the submission process. Feedback received from editors is confidential; please don't share it. And please refrain from stalking editors on social media!
how will responses be shared? will i be updated?
Responses will be updated to your personal AirTable as soon as they come in. A link to the AirTable will be sent to you once we're on submission.
If you would like an automatic update whenever a response is added, please let Natalie know so she can set that up.
Of course, I am always here for any questions or check-ins; while you can access this resource at any time, please also feel free to reach out to me! Any good news or updates about potential interest, R&Rs, or anything to discuss will still come directly from me.
what should i be doing?
The BEST thing for you to do right now: fall in love with, and start writing, a new book! Feel free to share ideas with me if you're not sure what to turn to next. And keep networking!