Think Big, and start small? - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Ignatius · 31st March 2005, 05:43 AM

I was just wondering, should novice Authors start out with trying to net the biggest agent, and the biggest publisher in our generes right off? Or is it more practical to start small and work your way up the ladder? I know this may seem like a simple question but it is never smart to assume anything.

I, Brian · 31st March 2005, 02:03 PM

I'm not sure about biggest agent - but here in the UK there's a limit of 7 you can really hope to get SFF published by:

http://www.chronicles-network.net/wr.../agents/uk.php

The issue with agents is not one of size, as much as each one is very selective in what they will even read - and on top there is the additional problem of new signings being extremely restrictive across the board.

Targeting more niche publishers, small press, independents won't free you from the levels of professionalism required - but it may well provide a more accessible way into general writing markets.

Winters_Sorrow · 31st March 2005, 02:14 PM

Maybe I'm being naive, but it's a bit depressing they're all based in London.

Bloody southerners!!

Teresa Edgerton · 31st March 2005, 06:29 PM

In the US there is a saying, "Agents live in New York City, so that you don't have to." I suspect the same is true of London agents and UK writers.

My suggestion is to start out thinking big -- write your book/story as if you intend to sell it to the biggest and most prestigious publishers (within your genre) out there. Then see if any of them want it. You can always scale your ambitions back later if they aren't interested, but if you don't even try, you'll never know what opportunities you may have missed.

While on the one hand, most "overnight" successes aren't really (first book published is not necessarily the first book written, and who knows how many years and revisions went into that one anyway?) the truth is, very few writers (of whatever stature) "work their way up." Though everyone dreams of writing that great break-out book, most find their comfortable little niche wherever it is they enjoyed their first success (or get forcibly pidgeonholed there) and that's pretty much it.

31st March 2005, 05:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ignatius Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 11	Think Big, and start small? I was just wondering, should novice Authors start out with trying to net the biggest agent, and the biggest publisher in our generes right off? Or is it more practical to start small and work your way up the ladder? I know this may seem like a simple question but it is never smart to assume anything.

31st March 2005, 02:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
I, Brian Admin and Tea-boy Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 5,372	Re: Think Big, and start small? I'm not sure about biggest agent - but here in the UK there's a limit of 7 you can really hope to get SFF published by: http://www.chronicles-network.net/wr.../agents/uk.php The issue with agents is not one of size, as much as each one is very selective in what they will even read - and on top there is the additional problem of new signings being extremely restrictive across the board. Targeting more niche publishers, small press, independents won't free you from the levels of professionalism required - but it may well provide a more accessible way into general writing markets.

31st March 2005, 02:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Winters_Sorrow Unreg. Mutant Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tyne and Wear Posts: 2,689	Re: Think Big, and start small? Maybe I'm being naive, but it's a bit depressing they're all based in London. Bloody southerners!!

31st March 2005, 06:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Teresa Edgerton Ink-stained Wretch Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Posts: 4,586	Re: Think Big, and start small? In the US there is a saying, "Agents live in New York City, so that you don't have to." I suspect the same is true of London agents and UK writers. My suggestion is to start out thinking big -- write your book/story as if you intend to sell it to the biggest and most prestigious publishers (within your genre) out there. Then see if any of them want it. You can always scale your ambitions back later if they aren't interested, but if you don't even try, you'll never know what opportunities you may have missed. While on the one hand, most "overnight" successes aren't really (first book published is not necessarily the first book written, and who knows how many years and revisions went into that one anyway?) the truth is, very few writers (of whatever stature) "work their way up." Though everyone dreams of writing that great break-out book, most find their comfortable little niche wherever it is they enjoyed their first success (or get forcibly pidgeonholed there) and that's pretty much it.

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