Saturday, November 8, 2008

Ooo, You're Not a Novel Virgin? That's So... Dirty.

I was wondering if it was better to be a debut author with a clean slate than someone who has published a book with a small publisher (Five Star, for example). I'm querying agents and wondering whether I should include the bit about my Five Star mystery novel (even though the book I'm querying is YA) or if I should leave it off the bio completely. In conversation once, an agent told me publishers would rather have a debut author than someone published with a small press. The book is under a pseudonym, so I suppose I could leave it off my bio. What do you think? Honestly.
This is suddenly casting me back to high school and those "purity" tests. I wouldn't knock abstinence for teenagers, ever, but there's something just screwed up about the way our culture idealizes ignorance and inexperience.

It is better to be entirely honest with your agent and editor than not. Your editor may decide that your adult novel under a pseudonym is not information that Sales and Marketing needs, but that needs to be her call.

Yes, sometimes there's a cool cache to the phrase "debut novelist", but most editors also realize that anyone's first novel is not their best work.

The bottom line is: it doesn't matter. You have to be who you are. If the current chic was in writers who have buck teeth or who escaped from religious cults or who loathe pecans, it wouldn't matter. Honesty and integrity are always in style.

12 comments:

Crystal-Rain Love said...

There are authors who have went from small publishers to the big publishing houses, and turned out to be best-sellers. I really don't see why there'd be a stigma.

Rachael Ann Mare said...

This is a great post, EA. Thanks.

Sarah Y said...

letting the editor decide. great advice.

academic writing said...

Interesting info! Thanks for post.

Unknown said...

I say many thanks to the father of the website admin I read this, because at this website I know a lot of information information that I did not know before his

Obat Kanker Sumsum Tulang
Obat Penyakit Kolera
Obat Untuk Ibu Hamil
Obat Penyakit Iritasi Lambung
Obat Alami Kista Bartholin

Unknown said...

I say many thanks to the father of the website admin I read this, because at this website I know a lot of information information that I did not know before his
https://cosmocarparts.com
https://cosmocarparts.com/brand/daihatsu/mira-daihatsu/
https://cosmocarparts.com/brand/daihatsu/move/
https://cosmocarparts.com/brand/faw/x-pv/
https://cosmocarparts.com/brand/honda/civic/
https://cosmocarparts.com/brand/honda/city/
https://cosmocarparts.com/brand/honda/fit/

Unknown said...

There are authors who have went from small publishers to the big publishing houses, and turned out to be best-sellers. I really don't see why there'd be a stigma.

http://watchtvdrama.com/
http://watchtvdrama.com/bigg-boss-12/
http://www.unikaas.com
https://unikaas.com/replica-clothing-supplier/
http://bikeparts.pk
http://desiseries.com
http://desiseries.com/bigg-boss-12
http://dramavideo.co/
http://dramavideo.co/colors-tv/bigg-boss-12/

KeiraDoltan said...

Complete Your Assignment From
Essay Writing And Editing Services Australia

Ever said...

I must say you have written a great article. A must read post

Mett said...

Great post here with all of the valuable information you have. keep writing article

Camilo said...

This was super interesting article to read. Thanks for sharing it here!

Daniels said...

I appreciate the time and effort to write this kind of article. Thanks