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STATUS: Mixed day! I feel like I'm still catching up on emails.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? REALIZE by Colbie Caillat
It had to happen eventually. Today Jamie Ford is not on the New York Times bestseller list--ending our phenomenal run of 130 consecutive weeks on the list. That is two and half years without dropping off.
Wow. Just wow.
Maybe I shouldn't be having a blog entry announcing this fact but you know what, Jamie? It's an incredible achievement no matter how I talk about it.
And in a lesson of the power of social media, I bought this as an ebook over here in Australia because of Kristin's blog, loved it and have encouraged friends to purchase it also. So thanks Kristin for PubRants letting me and my friends know about Jamie's book
Sincere congratulations on a wonderful achievement. As a reader of both your blogs - and Jamie's book, it's a testament to both your skillful writing/advice-giving, and overall niceness that makes this achievement of client and author all the more fantastic.
That is a huge achievement! And I love the concept of this book. You would be surprised how many people don't know that this happened right here in the U.S.A.
I don't suppose you'll be discussing the PayPal censorship issues, will you? I don't know how much, if at all, that affects your business/clients directly.
STATUS: Even though I look absolutely ridiculous doing a happy dance, I’m doing it anyway! White woman overbite. Here I come.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE LOAD OUT by Jackson Browne
This is just getting impossible. If I keep hitting crazy milestones, what will I have to look forward to? Last year, I had 3 authors on the New York Times bestseller list at the same time.
Then it happened twice in one year. Fabulous. Where to go next?
How about 4 authors on the NYT list at the same time? And 3 of them on the top 150 USA Today Bestseller list at the same time as well.
Yep! That’s the news that hit my inbox about an hour ago. And here they are.
At #19 on the Trade Paperback list and #146 on USA Today
At #9 on the Children's list
At #11 on the Mass Market paperback list and #109 on USA Today
At #13 on the eBook listand #59 on USA Today
Whe
31 Comments on Only Once In An Agent’s Lifetime?, last added: 7/9/2011
Congratulations Kristin - this is fabulous news for you and your clients! Wonder what next year will hold? Then again, maybe this year can get even better still :)
The covers are ALL awesome. Obviously the content delivers. There are so many layers to creating these amazing stories. Dance and sing! Readers are thrilled too, though they'll never know the depth of gratitude they owe to you. So I'll say it for all those clueless readers, Thanks, Kristen, for being you.
Congratulations! It is obvious that you have the skill and knowledge to know a successful novel when you see it. And congrats to all your authors for sharing their excellent work with us!!
Congrats! Having devoured it this week I KNOW Ally Carter's "Uncommon Criminals" deserves to be on that Best Seller list and I'm sure the others do too!
I'm so happy for you. You deserve to do the happy dance!
Anonymous said, on 7/8/2011 8:00:00 AM
I'm confused about something. I thought the NY Times doesn't accept self published books on their list. I'm thrilled for Courtney, but how did Unlocked get on the NY Times ebook list if it's self published? Does this mean they will allow other self-published authors on their list now?
I haven't read the other books. But I did read...and re-read..."Hotel" and thought it was the best book I'd read in years. I seriously want this to be number one now!!
I'm confused about something. I thought the NY Times doesn't accept self published books on their list. I'm thrilled for Courtney, but how did Unlocked get on the NY Times ebook list if it's self published? Does this mean they will allow other self-published authors on their list now?
Some other self-published books have been on the list. (Barbara Freethy, John Locke, Victorine Lieske, Nancy Johnson, Stephanie McAfee.) Others have not. (Amanda Hocking).
Speculation abounds, but I chalk it up to the NYT being squirrely and inscrutable just to get its inscrutability on.
Working at a bookstore, whether I liked a book or not, or haven't even read it, I get tried of seeing the same titles on the bestseller list for weeks then months. Years ago I thought Dan Brown's, Da Vinci Code would stay a bestseller forever. Now I feel the same way about Chris Cleave's, Little Bee and Steig Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Cleave and Larsson's novels have been paperback bestsellers for months. Neither is going anywhere anytime soon. Especially Larsson's since the American version of the movie is in the works. Yes, I am hating.
I wish I could hate on a few female authors of color. I would love to get tired on seeing The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow, or Wench by Dolen Perkins - Valdez on the paperback best seller list.
The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is currently number 15 on NYT paperback bestseller list. Wench is popular with book clubs and I believe it can break back into the list
It would give me great joy to get tired of seeing The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson on the hardcover bestseller list. The Warmth of Other Suns was choosen one of the 10 best books of 2010 by the NYT. It is also a non fiction finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Honor. The winners will be announced on March 8th.
2 Comments on Please, Let Me Hate on You, last added: 3/6/2011
STATUS: Today is MLK holiday! I’m only in for the morning and then heading out to do a nice hike as the weather is good here.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? VALENTINE by Kina Grannis
Hey readers. Sorry about the blog silence starting on Wednesday. I had to go out of town unexpectedly for a funeral and there really was not time to write. I actually didn’t even open my computer except on the plane ride to and from.
On a MUCH lighter note. Jamie Ford attended the Pulpwood Book Queens 11th Anniversary Girlfriend Weekend Author Extravaganza!
I pretty much think this picture says it all!
Jamie (on right) with Sam Barry of Rock Bottom Remainders
And if that costume wasn’t enough, we just found out on Friday that Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter and Sweet made the USA Today’s Best-selling Books: The top 100 for 2010 list.
Hotel came in at #84. Huge Congrats Jamie!
For that, I’d put on an Alice and Wonderland costume….
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THIS IS THE DAY by The The
Actually, I’m not exactly sure what that means except to say that Ally is still young and it sounded like a great title for this blog entry.
All I really want to say is CONGRATS ALLY! On coming in at #6 on the New York Times Series bestseller list and your best out of the gate sales numbers ever!
If any of the reviews on Amazon and BN are to be believed, this is the best Gallagher Girlbook to date! We heartily agree.
14 Comments on Only The Good Write Young!, last added: 7/8/2010
STATUS: I’m having a terrific day with lots of good news!
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? GEORGIA ON MY MIND by Willie Nelson
Okay, I know you guys are probably getting sick of these announcements but I have to celebrate when milestones happen and what better way then to announce it on the blog.
This year has been an amazing one for Nelson Literary Agency and the New York Times List. We’ve had two authors debut for the first time on the list (and in the same month to boot!). Jamie Ford’s Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet has literally been on the regular NYT list or the extended list for 6 months straight.
I mean, holy cow.
Then today marks a new milestone. Today I have 3 authors on the NYT list at the same time. This has got to stop as the bar is getting raised seriously too high. Still, I’m grinning.
And for those of you who wonder how the NYT list works, the bestseller list is announced the week before it hits publication so today I’m getting the news for the May 9 list.
Huge congrats to:
Simone Elkeles at #3 for a second week in a row.
And to Gail Carriger who is back on the extended list at #33 after having one week off. That’s three weeks on the list.
And to Jamie Ford who is on the extended list at #32 (although for the last two weeks we’ve been really close to breaking the top 20 titles (as you have to be #20 or above for regular list).
Congrats. I'm not surprised since I like so many of your authors--Megan Crewe,Janice Hardy, Lisa Shearin, & Sarah Rees Brennan. You & Sarah have great instincts.
I just bought Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet a couple days ago. I can't wait to read it. I love reading the acknowledgments and seeing the agent's name. Congrats.
This seriously made me teary-eyed. Not sure if I've ever mentioned it, Kristin, but some of my very favorite authors are your clients (including the three highlighted in this post). And they are all wonderful people, too, not just outstanding writers. Congrats to every one of you, and keep the good news coming!
Congratulations! :) I'm especially excited for Changeless and Rules of Attraction because I've read the first installments in these series and amazon (and a jet setting mother) is due to deliver me the next ones sometime this week!
Another congrats to Jaimie--who won the Whitney for Best General Novel of 2009 over the weekend! (Not sure if he's aware, so I thought I'd mention it.)
Congrads to you and your employees. Business milestones are a great source of pride. Also the authors, they must be flying! It struck me funny that no one said anything about Simone’s video and any impact at #3 to her success. Any statistics on that Great Video she did a few months back and how it might have helped the book? Just wondering, it was a real eye opener for me! I think we had tons of comments on the Blog too!
Also congratulations to Gail Carriger on her Campbell nom, even though she beat me in the process. She's much more qualified. Soulless was one of my favorite books last year (out of the 106 I read).
Marie Lu said, on 4/7/2010 4:37:00 PM
Congratulations, Gail and Kristin!!! Wow--I'm so excited to see a steampunk title on the adult lists.
Congrats! That's awesome! I have to say, one of the reasons I love following these blogs is because it introduces me to books I might not have noticed otherwise. That book cover is to DIE for! And the blurb in the upper left corner... who wouldn't want to read a book about vampires, werewolves, AND dirigibles and parasols. Haha. :) And because I hate to read a *second* book before reading the first, I now have TWO great books to add to my reading list.
Congrats to you and Gail-- I went to go pick it up last Friday and B&N and they couldn't find it! Luckily, my fiance's cousin works there so he found it for me after I saw him on Sunday, and I'm about halfway through. I would be done if I had time to read it straight through like I used to :)
Whoa! Congrats to all of you :-). I'm starting to wonder what other juicy items are up your sleeve for the REST of this year. Um . . . hello! It's only APRIL and you're rockin' it!
I'm so glad you mentioned this! I loved the first one and was wondering when the 2nd would come out. Looks like it's out and doing amazingly well! Yay!
What’s playing on the iPod right now? GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN by Cyndi Lauper
One of my agent friends is constantly chastising me for not taking a moment to celebrate when really big things happen at my agency.
For example, last week, we did a huge film deal and I barely broke stride. I have to admit, I didn’t even go out to a celebratory dinner or anything. I just kept my nose to the grindstone (in my defense, Bologna Book Fair is rapidly approaching—I have to be ready!)
But today, I really can’t just do that. Besides, I don’t want her to berate me again (and I know she’s reading this and will call me up).
Last week was big—no doubt. This week is a huge milestone for an agent and in truth, it doesn’t happen often so I really need to take a moment and acknowledge it so that’s what I’m going to do.
Today, I have two authors sitting on the New York Times Bestseller list at the same time.
Now, I’ve had one author with two books sitting on the NYT list at the same time but never two authors on at the same time.
Wow.
Great. Now I’ve just raised the bar and I’ll have to do 3 authors on the list at the same time or 2 authors with 2 different books on the list at the same time…. Naw. I’m just going to enjoy this moment.
Every achievement, big or small, is worth a celebration (although the celebration should be super huge after the film deal and NYT Bestseller list!). Take a breath and enjoy the moment! Congrats to all involved.
Congratulations to all! That's a huge milestone. Definitely one to celebrate. So, how do you celebrate something like this? Dinner? Chocolate? Chocolate for dinner?
Wow! That is impressive! Go out, treat yourself, have fun! You deserve it for working so hard.
That's amazing. Kudo to your superiour nose for sniffing out great books.
Marie Lu said, on 2/17/2010 5:32:00 PM
Wow, that's *fabulous* news! I'm so excited that Heist Society has gotten a film deal--I saw stacks of it at my local bookstore and am going to pick it up soon. Congrats to both Jamie and Ally on hitting the NYT lists (again!), and to you for having 2 authors on the list at the same time!
I admire your discipline. When most of us sales types close a big deal, we bring out the whiskey and take the rest of the day off. And EVERYBODY knows about the big deal. Those who we see earlier in the afternoon are better informed than those we see later.
I'm getting ready to order Heist Society on Amazon right now. I love Ally Carter! I wish it was summer already so we can find out what going on with Cammie and Zach!
Sweet about the film deal! As I waited for the page to load, I was hoping it would be one of Ally Carter’s—I’ve been reading through the Gallagher books after seeing them on your agency site, and I love them!
Congratulations- that is a huge milestone! I'm thrilled Jamie's book is doing so well- I loved it. In fact, I loved it so much I'm having my high school students read it in the spring!
Btw, just wanted to thank you for taking on Jamie Ford. "Hotel" has been a revelation for me on both the events covered in the book and in how an author can successfully write an important relationship plot line disguised by and enhanced by surrounding it with important historical events on a personal scale. What a beautiful story and talented author. Thank you for seeing that.
in my former (very different) sales career, I could never figure out what was the right moment. It was an incredibly long sales cycle, and the money payout was typically even longer. Is it the signing? The implementation (for you, I'm guessing, the publishing?)
but yes, this is undeniably a perfect moment to celebrate! So again, congrats!
Congratulations! I can’t help but feel how nice this should be for you. It has been a bitter sweet year starting in January with personal loss and in recent weeks a new assistant on the horizon. Before that, business statistics for 2009 out the roof!!!! I was reviewing the nasty comments by someone in reference to A few Good Men and either our ability or lack of ability to seek constructive criticism. WOW, what a roller coaster ride it must be for you!!! Kristin you really need to enjoy this. Two Authors, best sellers, film deal all of which…a credit to you at some point in the chain bigger or smaller. It only makes it worth it if you stop and enjoy it. Otherwise, it is just work and will take a real toll on you. Keep up the great work! Maybe it’s a sign to put on TWO ASSISTANTS!!!! Ha ha More skiing!!!
Wow. Congrats! I just read the Hollywood Reporter piece about the upcoming film deal and it sounds really exciting. What a neat milestone in your career- both the film deal and the two authors on the NYT list. Well done!
Yea! Congratulations to you for your hard work, and to your authors for their hard work in writing their books. I've been pondering a new book to read until the book I am anticpating comes out next month, so I think I will go pick each of those up this weekend to show my support and give me something new to dive into! Thanks for sharing your achievements! Steph
I would like to formally volunteer to be NYT best selling author # 3. I just need a few more months to polish it;) Seriously, great work and congrats! And PS- I picked up 'Soulless' yesterday and intended to read it over the rest of the week but read it straight through, stopping only to pick up the kids from school.
Anonymous said, on 2/18/2010 10:59:00 AM
Well-done. It is so nice to have obvious high-points in a career!
Congrats for the string of successes! They are all well-deserved. I've nominated you for a Sunshine Award. If you'd like to accept, please visit my blog. :)
What’s playing on the iPod right now? WOMAN by John Lennon
To bring you a special squee moment!
Wait, I’m a professional.
I interrupt this royalty statement tutorial to give our client Jamie Ford huge congratulations for hitting the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list coming in at #15 for Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet (and after only being on sale for five days).
Yes, that’s more like it!
That makes it NLA’s third NYT bestseller for this year.
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
28 Comments on We Interrupt This Royalty Statement Tutorial, last added: 10/16/2009
Nite Owl, The Brandon Lee was missed by everyone and luckily we were able to fix it for trade pb.
As for the online in 1986, that is a fact actually. It was Compuserve. However, we decided we didn't want people stumbling over it so we edited it for trade pb.
There is also one very deliberate anachronism. Casper the Ghost. We knew the date was wrong but deliberately left it as we couldn't think of an easy alternative for the description.
This is wonderful news for you both (and especially Jamie). I unfortunately missed you when you came through my town, but one of my critique partners visited and from what I understand this couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Congratulations on this, and wishes for continued success! I haven't read this book just yet, but it is on my list of to-be-reads, and I'm looking forward to it.
Anonymous said, on 10/14/2009 9:10:00 PM
Wonderful! Wasn't this the book you discussed earlier... something about the cover? (this cover is beautiful).
Congratulations, Jamie and Kristin! After reading about the book here on the blog, I decided to check it out, and boy, am I glad I did. It was our most recent read in my book club:)
What’s playing on the iPod right now? I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL by Joan Jett
Agents really don’t have a crystal ball to anticipate the market. For example, 2 years ago when Gail came to me with her manuscript SOULLESS, I wasn’t sitting at my desk thinking, “wow, if Jane Austen were to write a Victorian Steampunk fantasy, this vampire/werewolf comedy of manners called SOULLESS would definitely be it and yessiree, this type of parody is the wave of the future.” Heck no. I just sat at my desk thinking, “wow, this is cool and I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Little did I know two years ago that in 2009, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies would hit a cultural nerve and climb the New York Times bestseller list and something like SOULLESS would be hitting the market at exactly the right time. Now I look like a genius who anticipated potentially the next “hot” trend. Uh…. yeah, that’s it.
SOULLESS is powerhousing out of the gate with thousands of copies sold in its first two weeks on sale. It’s number #21 on Bookscan’s fantasy bestseller list (and may have the potential to climb some—although it’s going to be dang hard to knock Charlaine Harris out of the top 10 slots with her Sookie Stackhouse/HBO’s True Blood series.)
It looks like I’ve had incredible foresight but the truth is that I didn’t know this was going to happen. Any agent that tells you differently is feeding you a load of you know what.
Now we can surmise, guess, analyze what is hot and what is still selling and make some assumptions about what might trend in the future.
But none of us actually know. Which is a good reason to never ask the question at a writers’ conference!
Congrats Gail on a stunning debut!
30 Comments on The Agent Crystal Ball Myth, last added: 10/10/2009
Genius or not -- Congratulations! Clearly you are a talented agent with her finger aptly on the right pulse. ("Pulse" maybe subjective, considering the subject matter).
But wow! I think it's a lesson to your readers who aspire for publication. Taste is true to the agent. If you like it, and it works for you, well there's reason. If not, well, move on.
I'm sure a bit of this success had to do with timing, and maybe stars aligning, but honestly? It's a great novel coupled with a great agent.
Looks like a great book, but seriously when I first saw the title of your blog I thought it said The Agent Crystal Meth. Glad it wasn't what I thought. :)
Why do I feel like the Joker in that scene in The Dark Knight. The one where Gordon has just been promoted to commissioner and all the cops in the jailhouse are clapping, and the Joker is clapping, too, in this mocking way with a completely bored and sardonic look on his face.
I don't know. It just came to me after reading this post. I guess the more I fail in life, the more I take solace in Heath Ledger's final act--as the Joker, I mean.
It sounds like a great book and I'm going to grab a copy from my library soon. There is just one thing I worry about: is there any room left for fantasy writers like me who have a passion for 'old school' fantasy (ie based on Old English etc culture and myth) or is the literary world as obsessed with 'originality' as the rest of the art world; to its detriment in my view...
I loved SOULLESS, it was such an awesome read. And very timely, what with this being Tor's Steampunk month and several other steampunk novels out around the same time. The easy crossover appeal with Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance is just a hand sell bonus for booksellers like me.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? MR. JONES by Counting Crows
The answer is yes.
The answer is no.
The size of the advance paid can increase the likelihood of success as the publisher is more likely to commit significant resources toward a title that a large advance was paid for.
However, the size of the advance is not a guarantee of success for any specific title.
I remember reading an article in Publishers Weekly last year (and I wish I had saved it). The article outlined two thriller titles being released by two different publishers. Both thrillers were in hardcover and the lead titles for their specific imprints. Both titles had a solid six-figure advance. Both titles had significant resources allocated for the marketing and promotional push. Both titles were from debut authors.
One title hit the New York Times Bestseller list. The other title had, in the publisher’s own words, “disappointing sales.”
So what happened?
Quite simply, no amount of money can force a public to want and buy a book. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t. If the publishers knew what created that ground swell to catapult a title onto bestseller lists and a million copy sell-thru, they’d do it for every book.
It’s a dangerous to assume that the size of the advance paid is the only indicator of possible success. (Or that a publisher who has paid a large advance will always pay attention to that title rather than embrace a newly bought title that might sell even better.)
And every agent I know has a story of a little book that could. The book that was a hard sell, that didn’t have a big advance, that had almost no marketing or promotional budget attached and yet defied all the odds.
A great success story that exemplifies this exactly is agent Deidre Knight’s90 Minutes in Heaven—a book that was not sold for a lot of money and certainly wasn’t released with a lot of hoopla. Initial print run was by no means huge. The hardcover sold modestly well but then when the paperback version released, an explosion happened. The book kept gaining traction. Word of mouth. The ground swell that money can’t purchase started to happen. In the end, I don’t know exactly how long the title stayed on the bestseller list but I do know that it was for more than a year. This book has now sold millions of copies.
So does a large advance equal large success?
The answer is yes and the answer is no. All the stars ultimately have to align.
15 Comments on Does The Size Of The Advance Equal Success?, last added: 9/25/2009
I'm thinking "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" as another fine example of a book with low expectations and an even lower first print run (what I wouldn't give for one of those first eds).
Mariana said, on 9/23/2009 3:53:00 AM
Makes much sense. After all, any "enterprise" an investor is willing to invest in is a sort of a lottery. There are many rational and factual information the investor uses to support his decision, but ultimately there is no way to know with certainty if the investment will be lucrative, as there are so many random factors interacting during the whole process.
In this sense, it feels that books are similar to ventures, for no one can predict with certainty what the public's response to it will be. That is, one can work to make it more viable by making a great cover, investing in marketing etc etc., but the final result is unpredictable.
Soon followed by 23 Minutes in Hell from a competing publisher.
Anonymous said, on 9/23/2009 7:58:00 AM
There are exceptions to every rule, of course. And not to pick on Kristin in any way, but I always sort of hate it when someone picks one example of a book making it and saying, see, you don't really need in-house support (marketing money). Because, for the most part that isn't true. Lots of books that don't sell in hardcover don't GET a paperback version released at all, so you can't count on further sales.
No, a big advances don't necessarily equal best-seller status. But, at least your book is on the radar as far as people knowing about its existence. Ally Carter's books didn't explode onto the scene, but she had the advantage of being a lead title and they stuck with her until the books started taking off. That is not true with non-lead title books.
Debut YA authors on the NYT best seller list are there not because people love thier product (they haven't read the book to know it) but from a publisher's push.
Not knowing of a book's existence IS a sure fire way to NOT get sales.
A paltry advance, a publicity person at the publishers that will not return your emails, even though she said she'd "get to you later" and you know, it's way past "later," no ARCs of your book available at the Expo or ALA, and no one bothering to follow up on the quotes you've gotten for your own book (because they didn't bother to get any themselves) WILL result in the author never wanting to work with that editor or publisher again.
Peter Cooper, thank you for mentioning Harry Potter, a series actually written by a well-deserving author! Who actually struggled up through the nonsense, all by herself. Whose unique voice is easily identifiable from those who rely on ghosts or a team to do her work for her. Then we come to the man of the hour Dan Brown, will the real DB step forward? Here's a clue America: when your own daughter has a greater facility with the English language by reading Harry Potter, than you do via Dan Brown and the romance novels, something needs to change. The huge advances form part of a larger pattern of oppression aimed at the American mind; we writers ape "what works" i.e "what pays" it's a horrid arrangement leading to the death of books. Then, no one gets paid for this any more.
Anonymous said, on 9/23/2009 8:53:00 AM
This happened to me. Hardcover, low six-figure advance, good marketing push, co-op, etc. The book tanked. Readers just didn't like it that much.
Which really, really sucks. I had every chance in the world, and my writing just didn't take wing. Still, the failure of my big-advance book was much better for me than the failure of the novel for which I got a *small* advance. At least I had the comfort of the money.
I find this post very interesting, Kristin, especially in light of what children's book author Editorial Anonymous said on her blog today. She said that authors should step aside and let publishers and their staffs, who know how to sell books, do their jobs when it comes to selecting illustrators (and other things like covers, I presume). But here you are telling us that publishers very often get it wrong. I know you're not responsible for what anyone else says, but can you comment?
I just finished a study of 200 YA books for my dissertation and we found that the size of the advance was one of five factors that could predict the success or failure of a book with up to 80% accuracy.
so, it's not the only factor, but it was a very strong one.
Anonymous said, on 9/23/2009 4:35:00 PM
In my opinion, it's not the size of the advance that matters as much as it is the marketing push that is more likely to accompany a larger advance. Yes, there are big-advance books that flop. There are small-advance books that succeed. But I think a big marketing push maximizes a book's audience. If a highly promotoed book flops, well, it no doubt would've flopped even worse without the push. Whereas I suspect there are a few books that, with a little more support, would have found their audiences.
Kristin - has an author ever asked a publisher to reduce the size of her advance and put the extra money toward marketing instead? Is that even possible?
Anonymous said, on 9/23/2009 8:32:00 PM
Kerry: Say more! Say much, much more! What size of advance? What're the four other factors?
Tabitha: New authors sometimes ask their agents that, and the agents gently break the news. Your publisher will be happy to give you a smaller advance. They will be happy to apply the excess money in a fungible way to the marketing department, too.
I would add that for some (new) writers getting a huge advance and then not getting the sales to match can mark the end of their writing career, as publishers will be wary of future books. Sales figures are king.
Anonymous said, on 9/24/2009 6:09:00 AM
BubbleCow:
That's true, but getting a small advance and then not getting the sales to match can *also* be trouble. Though I see a lot of this 'end of the career' stuff, and I'm not sure what it's based on. There are always other projects, other houses, and other pseudonyms.
Christina said, on 9/24/2009 4:11:00 PM
Most people, expecially with the bad economy are going to more paperbacks. If you are an author which would you prefere? if the publisher and staff want hardback, how do you know that is the best for you and your book?
STATUS: We are dancing around the office; we can’t believe it!
What’s playing on the iPod right now? GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN by Cyndi Lauper
It’s no small feat to hit the NYT series list. Looking at who was on the week before last, it was even scarier. At that time, there was only one non-vampire, non-paranormal title on the list (Diary of A Wimpy Kid).
Then last week, 39 Clues popped back on making that two titles on the NYT Series list.
Now I’m happy to report that there are THREE titles on the Series list. Coming in at #6, The Gallagher Girls land a spot.
HUGE CONGRATS ALLY!
Children’s Best Sellers SERIES
1 THE TWILIGHT SAGA, by Stephenie Meyer. (Megan Tingley/Little, Brown, hardcover and paper) Vampires and werewolves in school. (Ages 12 and up)
2 PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper) Battling mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12)
3 DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Abrams, hardcover only) The travails of adolescence, in cartoons. (Ages 9 to 12)
4 THE 39 CLUES, by various authors. (Scholastic, hardcover only) A brother and sister travel the world in search of the key to their family’s power. (Ages 9 to 12)
5 HOUSE OF NIGHT, by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. (St. Martin’s, hardcover and paper) Vampires in school. (Ages 14 and up)
6 GALLAGHER GIRLS, by Ally Carter. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper) A school for spies. (Ages 12 and up)
7 THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, by Cassandra Clare. (McElderry/Simon & Schuster, hardcover and paper) A world of demons and warriors. (Ages 14 and up)
8 NIGHT WORLD, by L. J. Smith. (Simon Pulse, paper only) Supernatural races form secret societies. (Ages 14 and up)
9 WARRIORS, by Erin Hunter. (HarperCollins, hardcover and paper) Four clans of cat warriors aspire to meet up with the StarClan. (Ages 10 to 14)
10 VAMPIRE DIARIES, by L. J. Smith. (HarperTeen, hardcover and paper) Vampires in school, with a love triangle. (Ages 12 and up)
23 Comments on CONGRATS ALLY!, last added: 6/20/2009
Congrats Kristin and Ally! I was so hoping to see this. The series is wonderful and while I do love my vampire novels, the Gallagher Girls have special place on my bookshelf.
I think that's awesome! Seriously. I like superpowers and all, but I also like books where normal people can learn to do amazing things. As someone who loves languages and other cultures (not to mention the Bourne Series) I think her books are a great read for kids.
STATUS: Manhattan had some rockin’ thunderstorms last night about 3 in the morning. Chutney is not a fan. Took me 20 minutes to coax her out of the closet.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? MY PREROGATIVE by Britney Spears
Interesting Factoid #1: I signed Ally as a client for an adult novel—not a young adult novel. In fact, her first two published novels were adult women’s fiction for Berkley.
Interesting Factoid #2: This series has over a million copies in print.
Interesting Factoid #3: The first two books in this series, I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have To Kill You and Cross My Heart And Hope To Spy, both hit the New York Times Bestseller list. For this book to hit the NYT list, we’ll have to land on the series bestseller list along with the Twilight Series, Percy Jackson, Night World, House of Night, Mortal Instrument, Vampire Kisses, Nicholas Flamel, and Pendragon.
If we do, it will be one of only three non-paranormal/fantasy titles on the list (with Diary Of A Wimpy Kid and Maximum Ride). [I stand corrected! I hadn't read Maximum Ride but according to the comments, I guess it has a paranormal element. I amend, "If we do, it will be one of two non-paranormal/fantasy titles on the list."]
Happy Release Day Ally!
DON’T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER When Cammie “the Chameleon” Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she’s in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she’s there to watch Macey’s father accept a nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world’s best school (for spies), “exciting” and “deadly” are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnapper’s dangerous plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.
As her junior year begins, Cammie can’t shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn’t feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion’s corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions, Who is after Macey? And how can they keep her safe?
Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey's private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn, as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth...
29 Comments on The Gallagher Girls Are Here!, last added: 6/10/2009
I tried to purchase the first two books at a Borders while on a mini-vacation at the beach this weekend. They were completely sold out! That's awesome for Ally, but wasn't so great for me.
I settled on Maximum Ride, and couldn't get past the first few pages, which made my disappoint even stronger.
Good luck to Ally! I'm waiting for my copies through Amazon.
My 24-year-old nephew discovered this title and handsold it to me! I was lucky... I met Ms. Carter at BEA, and devoured the book that night!
Great book, hoping the movie is successful, so I can buy a Blackthorn sweatshirt!
(And a secret... Ally has a blog as well, complete with snickerdoodle recipes and stalker birds and fabulous vacations to Ireland!) (I'd be jealous, but I'm having a fabulous vacation in Amalfi...)
Harsh words anonymous....didn't anyone teach you "if you can't say something nice...don't say anything at all???"
Sending lots of good luck wishes!
Ps....I am partial to the Bobby Brown version of My Prerogative! :)
Anonymous said, on 6/9/2009 5:48:00 PM
"if you can't say something nice...don't say anything at all???"
Boring cliche.
Besdies, if you're going to put books out, you should be able to handle criticism . The cover is embarrassingly trashy IMO.
Anonymous said, on 6/9/2009 5:52:00 PM
Indeed, making $$$ off the exploitation of young women in this manner is morally questionable, to say the least. Not that I think this publisher/author team are the only ones doing it (and don't even get me started on network TV). But it doesn't change the fact that they're thinly veiled smut peddlers.
Kara said, on 6/9/2009 7:35:00 PM
I'm really looking forward to reading this one. I discovered the first two by reading this blog and loved them. The plot of this one sounds fantastic.
Did I miss something? A teen in a school uniform is trashy? I can't see it myself but everyone has a different opinion.
The story sounds interesting Ally. Kind of a modern day Nancy Drew. Nancy was always getting herself and her friends into trouble by poking into things I hope my kids never do. But teens like to read stories that empower teens, that play up their thinking and problem solving abilities. They don't think of themselves as 'little kids'.
I hate to find myself agreeing with usually mean-spirited anonymous, but the cover does look kind of dated. My eyes would pass over it with nary a jog.
Anonymous said, on 6/9/2009 8:58:00 PM
Agree on the dated/cliche look for this cover.
Wouldn't go so far as to call it "trashy" though. Lowbrow, maybe, but not trashy.
Then again, the autor probably had no or very little say in the cover art, like it or not.
I've been reading for a while now, and I saw that you wrote you originally signed Ally Carter for adult, not young adult.
How does one know which one a manuscript is (and thus, which agent to send it to?) Are their specific rules? I'm a college student, and I feel I happily read young adult and adult books, and am not quite sure what the difference is.
Anonymous, if you want to see school uniforms like this then come to London. I see hundreds of girls looking like this every day. And they don't look especially slutty...
Just read Liana's comment about authors and covers - it really depends on your publishers. Mine asked me right at the beginning if I had any ideas for the cover, took those ideas on board and have consulted me on every version. I thought I couldn't like anything more than the first one they came up with, but they've just improved it even more!
Hi Kristin, That thunderstorm passed through the Thumb of Michigan on its way to you and evidently didn't spend itself until it got over the Atlantic. I love watching an approaching storm, the dog quivering under my feet. About genre....I understand it's more the pacing than the age of the protagonist that determines market placement but whenever there are young characters this question seems to come up. Pacing and adult themes should be the determining factor, but why are we obsessed with pigeon-holing? As a teenager I read many so-called adult books. I don't get it. Many books (and I like to think my own as well) appeal to upper teens through adulthood with no magic cutoff, i.e. 35...45... About this cover...to me it flags the book as YA but then, remember Prep?
Fantastic news! I heard the party was a huge success. I have no doubt this is the beginning of a magnificent career for Mr. Ford. Kudos to you both.
Anonymous said, on 2/25/2009 5:20:00 PM
That is awesome news!! Many, many congratulations to Jamie. Btw, I was at Borders over the weekend and saw about 10 copies of HOTEL prominently on display on one of the stands at the front of the bookstore. Way to go!
I just finished this book last night. I remember you showing the cover as it was developed etc and when it came out I went to pick it up.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I suspect it will go up the list as it is one of those stories that demands you tell all your friends and family to read it.
STATUS: Buried in contracts—round three in the negotiation process for all but one on my desk.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? ROCK THIS TOWN by Stray Cats
Folks, if we had the answer to this, we’d rule the world. And every book a publisher (and the author) wanted to be a bestseller, would be one. As you know, the world doesn’t work that way.
There have been case studies of books that publishers threw a lot of money behind (and their whole weight) and the book was dead in the water.
Then you have stories like WATER FOR ELEPHANTS that was an indie bookseller chug-a-thon and the word of mouth was so great even before the book hit shelves that when it was finally available, it was “sleeper” hit.
I have no idea. Now I do have some theories. I can tell you what little I know (as it’s certainly not a trade secret). Not to mention, Ally was inspired by my post to offer her reasons on why as well so you might want to check out her blog too.
Here’s what I know:
1. LYKY (shorthand for that very long title) sold very well right out of the gate but never hit a list. In fact, we had sales numbers so good, some titles that were on the NYT list would have been envious.
2. LYKY was firmly supported by the Publisher—Hyperion Books for Children. They made this their lead title and did a lot to get the word out initially. Ads, author lunches with key book buyers, white box mailings, the works. There was a solid initial first print run but nothing crazy. (Sorry, can’t share that as the info is client confidential.)
3. Hyperion was aggressive on its reprints so LYKY continued to sell well and build steadily for 2 years (a success we really owe to B&N—which got strongly behind the book from day one as did some great Indies stores).
4. This title started landing on State reading lists (we love Librarians!) and won several awards—thus continuing the notice build.
5. CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO SPY, the second book in the series, had a really rockin’ initial print run and in Ally’s case, it was this title (lovingly referred to as CMH) that landed on the NYT hardcover list first (because of all the awareness-building LYKY had done, sales in the initial weeks after release were out the roof. And to land on the NYT list, a book needs a set number of sales within a short period of time to land. Actually that is just conjecture as the NYT does not share their criteria for the how and why of books hitting the NYT list.)
6. Just weeks after CMH hit, LYKY landed on the NYT trade paperback list and stayed there for 16 weeks.
7. Now we have notice and momentum building on each other. Readers excited about the release of CMH were talking to other readers and telling them to buy LYKY first. Not to mention, the trade pb price is always more appealing so sales took off in that format. There’s an uptick in hardcover sales as well but not like there was for trade pb edition.
8. Borders finally gets on board with a big buy-in for book 2. Because all this notice is happening, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, etc. all buy-in for both titles as well. Now sales are really picking up.
I can’t tell you where they are right now (client confidential) but let’s just say the weekly sales are eye-popping.
Here’s what else I know:
1. There were few to almost no reviews for LYKY (or CMH for that matter)--although Publishers Weekly did feature the cover for LYKY in the front pages of their issue and they did review the title. It wasn’t a starred review though. So the success was not review-driven.
2. Librarians. Need I say more? They were a force behind talking to students about what great books these were. They ordered many copies for their school libraries to keep up with demand.
3. The biggest component to what makes a book a NYT bestseller? Word-of-mouth. Avid fans. We owe a lot to the readers who absolutely loved the book and told 20 of their closest friends to read it too.
Unfortunately, no one fully understands how w-o-m works. Why some titles make it onto everyone’s lips and others don’t—despite whatever money, marketing, or promotion is given to a book.
This can’t be “created.” It just is.
12 Comments on What Makes A New York Times Bestseller?, last added: 9/18/2008
Honestly, I think the very adorable cover art contributed to the sales. This book "looks" good on the shelves. I don't think anyone can look past what some good cover art and product placement can do for attracting buyers.
I bought "Chasing Harry Winston" because I thought it had the most adorable cover I'd ever seen although I haven't been able to get past the first couple of pages.
Well, I can tell you how Word Of Mouth works. I've moderated Enduring Romance long enough now to have developed an opinion.
First of all, readers know what they like and what other readers like. Second, the publishing industry, as far as I know, bases what it publishes on the sale of New books. This means they're only getting a fraction of an idea of what all readers want, because disenchanted readers go to the library or used bookstores. ***Their opinions are not reflected in the sale of New books.*** However, their friends know. Third, when one of the readers finds a book they love amongst the Endless Parade of Sameness, they're overjoyed and are compelled to share that joy with the readers they know of who are searching for that kind of book.
Moral of the Story: Take a few minutes away from reading the Bottom Line and start listening in or reading conversations between readers on-line or in Real Life.
Tor recently put up an interactive blog for readers and, I believe, other publishers have as well. This is brilliant! All Tor must do is peek in on readers right there on their very own blog to learn what they really want.
Having a great title and a great first few pages seals the deal for a lot of young readers. Also the topic of Spies has been hot for awhile. Cammie was a girl every girl could relate to,yet didn't come across contrived. My Mom's a YA/Children's librarian and when I saw this initially on your blog I asked to buy it for her collection. I'd say your blog is a great source for Word-of-mouth as well :-)
Can I add to your list having Ally's agent blog about the book and its release? That's why I picked it up. Your blog is also how I 'discovered' Linnea Sinclair who is my current Favorite Author.
I know normal, everyday readers don't read agent blogs, but us writerly folk do and we talk to normal people, friends, other writers, etc. I guess it comes down to that word-of-mouth thing you mentioned.
Anonymous said, on 9/17/2008 8:20:00 AM
What exactly are "white box mailings"?
Anonymous said, on 9/17/2008 9:00:00 AM
I know that Kristin doesn't answer comments, so maybe some of the rest of the readers can answer me?
Does anyone else think the key issue here is that Hyperion made it a "lead title?"
Lead titles are not born, they are made. If Hyperion had not made it a lead title to begin wouldn't the chances of the rest happening (with the intensity it did) been GREATLY reduced? NOT because it wasn't a good book, but because there are TONS of books that are equally as good. If Jennifer Lynn Barnes cheerleading books had been plucked up and made a lead title, instead of coming out in massmarket paperback, couldn't she and Ally have easily switched places?
I'm not saying this is either right or wrong. I've read books that were lead titles -- and thought the writing was truly lackluster and plain. I've read books released by the same publisher (and in the same month) that had no publicity at all to speak of, that blew me away with their intriguing plots and strong writing.
But it seems that it's great for books that are lead titles, not so much sometimes for the books that aren't. For instance, some of Kristin's other clients (who write similar-toned books to Ally's) didn't get hardback covers and didn't get any sort of promotion (certainly not "lead" title promotion) though the writing, hook, and exectuion of their books were on par with Ally's.
Sad that all books can't be lead titles, because I truly think in the pub business people think the "cream rises to the top," when in reality, the cream rises to the top only when it's being promoted with "lead title" status.
(none of this is to say that Ally doesn't deserve to be a best-selling author -- of course she does -- the books are fun and airy and she seems to be incredibly hardworking.)
Please tell me your own view, but doesn't LUCK play a bigger role than anything else, in a book becoming a lead title? *
*(for a book that is worthy of being published to begin with -- I'm not talking about books that don't stand a chance at all.)
Malcolm Gladwell describes how WOM and fads work in his non-fiction "The Tipping Point." It's the best description of that phenomena I've found. IT also tells the reader how to try to create a tipping point.
That word-of-mouth thing is powerful indeed. Like another poster, I first discovered LYKY from this blog and your posts about it. So I went looking for it, read it, loved it and passed the word along to more writers and readers. When something is that good, the word of mouth can move pretty quickly, IMO.
It also should be said, the book appeals to those outside of the "target" market. I'm an adult, I love them. So it captures a larger portion of the audience.
I also think the cover art was a BIG plus. I picked it up out of our Library's new YA section because the title, cover, and plot summary sounded fun.
Then I turned around and recommended it to all my 20 and 30 something friends as a fun afternoon read.
I think one thing that made Ally Carter take off is her style-- it's light and fun and reminds me of a Hepburn/Tracey screwball romantic comedy. So her books don't just appeal to YAs... they also appeal to adults looking for a light read....
(heck, my first thought when I finsihed LYKY was 'Man. I wish *I* could write like that.' And then she kept it up for a SECOND BOOK. Sometimes, people become best-sellers because they're just that good!)
I was going to mention "The Tipping Point" as well - good point... I hate to think there's a science to luck, but obviously in Ally's case there were unique and advantageous forces at work, as anon astutely mentioned.
Random, but this post reminded me of the 'overnight success' that Kristin discussed earlier. Just shows how a good thing takes years in the making.
Anonymous said, on 9/17/2008 11:50:00 PM
Well, I guess when you quantify what is successful, then I assume you are talking about sales. I think the books that become best sellers are those that are entertaining. Fans become attach to the characters whom they really love. Really great characters become living people. They become a part of our lives, so naturally people gossip and the word gets spread around about so-and-so in the story. People are social creatures so it’s only natural that information is going to spread. Certainly, if you have an entertaining novel, then it’s only a matter of time before everyone knows about it. Just ask Harry, the boy with the funny glasses.
STATUS: Why did I plan two writers’ conferences on back-to-back weekends? What was I thinking?
What’s playing on the iPod right now? SOME ENCHANTED EVENING from the musical South Pacific
I really wish I knew the how and the what of when a book lands on the NYT bestseller list. If I did, I would certainly share. It’s proprietary information so any big reveal is definitely not happening any time soon.
I can tell you that here at the Nelson Agency, Wednesday afternoons are met with much anticipation as that is when the next week’s list are announced (before the info is known to the general public).
We jump on that email in about ten seconds.
Ally Carter’s I’D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I’D HAVE TO KILL YOU spent 10 weeks on the top ten NYT list before dropping off. With much sadness, we were greeted with that news about 2 weeks ago.
And then, rather suddenly (or at least it feels that way as it is not readily apparent to us as to why), the title hit the list again
Now we can’t wait for 3 p.m. each Wednesday to find out if the title has stayed on or not. I’m happy to say that we are still there for the week of April 13 in position number 5. That’s makes 12 weeks total (three months).
That’s an amazing fact to contemplate.
And now I’m waiting eagerly for next week’s list as we might be hearing about another title that has very strong sales right out of the gate but since we don’t know the factors involved (and it may or may not be harder to hit the adult list), we’ll just have to wait on pins and needles for the list announcement tohappen next Wednesday.
Now you know what we are doing every Wed. afternoon when we should be working as the waiting is the hardest part!
2 Comments on Waiting On A list, last added: 4/3/2008
I can relate to the waiting being "the hardest part" comment. It's what we writers go through after sending in queries, partials and manuscripts! I swear it's nearly impossible to get anything done in the meantime.
Anonymous said, on 4/3/2008 7:34:00 AM
Is it the same in YA as it is in adult books - that making the NYTimes bestseller list leads to bonuses from the publisher?
Jamie (on right) with Sam Barry of Rock Bottom Remainders
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Congratulations to both of you! I loved Jamie's book.
I loved that book and it definitely deserved its long run.
And in a lesson of the power of social media, I bought this as an ebook over here in Australia because of Kristin's blog, loved it and have encouraged friends to purchase it also. So thanks Kristin for PubRants letting me and my friends know about Jamie's book
I'm sure this isn't the last book of Jamie Ford's that will end up on the list.
Not too shabby! Congrats to both of you. Wonderful book.
Wow! Congratulations to you both.
Sincere congratulations on a wonderful achievement. As a reader of both your blogs - and Jamie's book, it's a testament to both your skillful writing/advice-giving, and overall niceness that makes this achievement of client and author all the more fantastic.
That's a heck of a run. Congratulations to you both.
It is a big achievement. Congrats to you and Jamie.
That is a huge achievement! And I love the concept of this book. You would be surprised how many people don't know that this happened right here in the U.S.A.
It's still my favorite book in the past few years, and it's also the last print book I purchased before I went completely digital.
Definitely a run to be proud of. It is a great book and I'm still recommending it to people regularly.
One of my favorite reads.
Thanks to Jamie Ford for writing such a memorable novel. And thanks to Kristin Nelson for recognizing it and putting it out there for us to enjoy!!
I'm sure we'll see it again on the list. :)
Like WOW, CONGRATS!! I'll need to keep this book in mind to read for the future!
Loved this book! Congrats for the long run on the list.
Congrats!
(And according to Amazon, it's frequently purchased with "50 Shakes of Grey"...)
I love that book! And I am looking forward to whatever is next!
It's a terrific book. The run is well-deserved. I turned a few other people on to it, too.
Congratulations, Jamie! It's a fabulous and timeless book which has haunted me since I opened to the first page.