Unsolicited Advice for Authors, Agents, and Editors
You’re more likely to get a “Yes” with a request than with a command.
An author needs an enthusiastic imprint because the editor isn’t always there for the duration.
Any substantial revision—as in a 2nd edition—should be by terms to be negotiated in good faith. More than 10% of the work is a good rule of thumb.
If an agent requests material, indicate that on the cover note.
Don’t return a call when you know the person won’t be there to answer it.
At the end of the day, it only takes one editor, one publisher, who believes in the book.
Don’t try to pretend a book is a category that it isn’t. Zero in on the core audience like a laser.
It’s MARLEY with an E.
Editors and agents check email after hours and on weekends, but we don’t want to find anything there.
American style is single quotation marks used ONLY within double quotation marks. Rarely elsewhere.
