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Literary Agency
Frequently Asked Questions by Lisa Ekus-Saffer |
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career
center
the scoop on agents |
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May 2008
So many cookbook questions, so little time... Lisa Ekus enlightens
us through the following commonly asked questions about agents
and the proposal process. Lisa Ekus-Saffer is the founder and
president of The
Lisa Ekus Group, LLC (formerly Lisa Ekus Public Relations
Company, LLC).
I have an idea for a cookbook that
seems new and interesting, but I'm not sure how to pursue it.
Crafting the core idea for your book is of monumental importance.
Without a thorough understanding of what you hope to accomplish
and who you want to reach (with your cookbook), your ability
to research, examine, and evaluate your competition will be
hindered.
Your concept needs to clearly convey two things: 1) your passion
for and knowledge of your topic, and 2) your unique voice. With
that said, write what you know and truly care about — not about
what is currently hot in the marketplace. Note: Keep in mind
that your writing style and recipe style should be tailored
to the audience you want to attract.
Once you form a clear concept that declares your intentions
and the purpose of your cookbook (similar to a mission statement),
you must begin researching the cookbook marketplace. Is there
another book that covers the same topic? If so, do not be discouraged.
Think about how you can shape your book differently. And, if
you want to cover a well-worn topic that is still timely, simply
put a new spin on it. You should also consider how competing
books have sold. Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com are great
resources for this, as they provide a ranking for each book.
If you do not find anything on the market similar to your idea,
great! But, you still must effectively convey what makes your
book or idea distinctive and, ultimately, worth publishing.
I have a workable cookbook idea that
seems worthy of publication. Do I really need an agent? And,
if so, how do I find one?
Today, competition in the publishing arena is fierce, and most
publishers will not review submissions without agent representation.
So, yes, you probably do need an agent.
Representing new and seasoned authors alike, agents negotiate
the best terms available and typically earn a 15 percent commission
on an author's advance and royalties.
If finding an agent seems like an ominous task, here are a few
more ideas to get you started:
Congratulate yourself for taking a first step and visiting our
website (www.lisaekus.com).
Since many authors wish to publicly thank their agents, pick
a cookbook you particularly enjoy and read the acknowledgements
to find the agent name.
The Literary Marketplace is an invaluable resource that can
usually be found in a local library.
Review the Helpful Resources section of our website.
Consider joining the International Association of Culinary Professionals
(IACP), which provides innumerable resources to members, including
an annual Membership Directory that lists food-minded literary
agents (among many other things).
What exactly is a proposal, and how do I create one?
Your proposal is a packet of information that shows your prospective
agent (and subsequent publishers) exactly what kind of cookbook
you plan to write. It should be thorough, yet concise.
To see what we look for in a proposal, read our Proposal Guidelines
(http://lisaekus.com/literary-proposal.asp).
I've made all of my recipes before. Do I really have to test
them?
Yes! It is your responsibility to thoroughly test each recipe,
using exact ingredient amounts and making sure the recipe comes
out as intended, in terms of both taste and appearance. Note:
Chefs especially need to ensure their recipes are downsized
for home kitchens with non-commercial equipment.
As for who should test your recipes, just ask yourself this
question: Who do I want to buy this book? Who is my target audience?
Once you have answered these questions, it makes sense to then
find a person in that demographic who is willing to spend a
few hours in the kitchen on your behalf. Or, depending on the
scope of your book, you might investigate professional resources
for recipe development and testing. The International Association
of Culinary Professionals (IACP) is a good place to search for
such outside sources.
What is the average amount of time it takes to go from proposal
to finished cookbook?
You can expect to spend anywhere from six months to one year
working with your agent to refine and submit your proposal.
Then, assuming your proposal is "sold" to a publisher, you should
plan to spend an additional six to twelve months completing
your book or manuscript. The publisher is likely to spend another
year editing, designing and, last but not least, printing your
cookbook. So, overall, you can save yourself frustration by
expecting to spend anywhere from one to three years in this
lengthy, but exciting process!
Written By: Lisa Ekus-Saffer
founder and president of The
Lisa Ekus Group, LLC (formerly Lisa Ekus Public Relations
Company, LLC)
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