HarperCollins, Jonathan Cape, Little, Brown, and Tinder Press are all opening up to submissions from authors who do not have agents. ~Gasp!~
Why on Earth would these leading companies suddenly change an age-old gatekeeping mechanism to allow anyone to submit?
Could be finances. Authors who aren’t represented usually receive offers that have lower advances, lower royalty percentages, less lucrative royalty breaks, and lower marketing budgets. Add all that up, and publishers could save quite a bundle.
Trust me. The 15% authors save by not paying an agent is not going to pay off under these circumstances.
Writer's Resource/Sunspot Lit
Writing, Publishing, & Arts
Writer's Resource/Sunspot Lit 
Reblogged this on Memoir Notes and commented:
Trying to negotiate a book deal without an agent is like going into court without
an attorney. If you’re going to go the traditional route, make sure you have an agent. You need someone to look out for YOUR best interest. An agent can help you negotiate the best deal for you.
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I wonder whether it reflects a fall in submissions now.
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I doubt that very much. Self-publishing has taken off, and fewer authors want to go the traditional route now…but there are still thousands upon thousands of authors interested in traditional publishing. I think it’s much more about streamlining the process…and cutting out that bulldog who champions their authors.
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For how long will the submissions be open?
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As far as I know, these have no closing dates. It’s a shift in how they’re handling submissions rather than short-term trial periods.
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Reblogged this on Truth From the Booth and commented:
Some good news?
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