Unsolicited Advice for Authors, Agents, and Editors
Editors and their assistants should never badmouth their authors to anyone but themselves.
An editor’s formulaic rejection (or one from the assistant) often means that editor doesn’t want to hear from the agent again.
Sour grapes don’t sell books. Complain to your agent, not to the public.
cc your editor on everything that goes to the publisher; cc your agent on everything.
Most publishers are generalists. Prepare to handle the niche marketing yourself.
Don’t state in a query the reasons other agents/publishers rejected you.
Pay attention to the option clause. On a proposal only, solely by the author, after acceptance, limit genre.
Don’t forget to ask to see the spine layout. It should be easily readable. If there is an image, check it for accuracy and consistency with the front cover.
White paper/screen and black type. Don’t go crazy. The words should get the attention, not the color scheme.
It’s not inspiration or perspiration, it’s Desire. With a capital D.
