The Muse & the Marketplace 2016

An author, who got her first book contract without an agent, and an editor cover the pros and cons of navigating the publishing world without an agent. Linda K. Wertheimer, the author, talks about the highs, the lows, the why, and how she did it when she landed a nonfiction book deal with Beacon Press, which published her book in 2015. Yes, no agent means you have to negotiate a contract on your own or hire legal help. But it also makes you the main contact for your publisher. The editor, Lissa Warren of Da Capo Press, talks about the issue from the insider perspective. Under which circumstances would she consider a proposal or manuscript from an unagented author? What role do agents play that an author struggles with or what can an agent do that an author cannot? How does book promotion and publicity weigh into the equation? How do you know which path to take - if you have the option? The author and editor will describe lessons learned, questions to ask yourself, and include plenty of time for questions and answers from the attendees.