| Books published by New York publishing houses tend | | | | he interviewed got their first book published before an |
| to garner a higher degree of respect than those | | | | agent accepted them as a client. |
| published outside of the Big Apple. Authors with New | | | | Getting an agent requires an audition process as well. |
| York books often find it easier to get media attention | | | | An author must pitch the agent,show them their book |
| than those using other methods, such as small presses | | | | proposal before the agent determines whether or not |
| or print-on-demand publishers. | | | | she can sell the book to a publisher. Thus retaining an |
| Unfortunately, the road from completed book | | | | agent is no guarantee that the book will be published |
| manuscript to publication through traditional channels is | | | | by a New York house. |
| a long one with numerous challenges. A first-time | | | | When signing a book contract with a traditional New |
| author must first create a formal book proposal which | | | | York Publisher, the author loses control of the book's |
| will take weeks of work. Next, the writer goes through | | | | content and cover design, as well as the rights to the |
| the process of submitting it to publishers and/or agents. | | | | book. The author typically earns less than 10 per cent |
| Agent and Author Terry Burns interviewed over 600 | | | | of the sale, which translates to less than one dollar per |
| multi-published authors and foundthat it took them an | | | | book sold. If the author hires an agent, the profit margin |
| average of 6 years to see their first completed book | | | | is less, because the agent's fee is 10 (and sometimes |
| in print. He also learned that 87 per cent of the authors | | | | 15) per cent of the author's share of the profit. |