Beyond the Bestseller (Plume) [Mass Market Paperback]

Richard Curtis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1995 | Series: Plume

New York literary agent Richard Curtis has represented many bestselling authors. When Curtis talks, authors -- and publishers -- listen. Now he is talking, straight from the shoulder, to writers, telling everything an author must know to get published and not get exploited or taken advantage of -- by an agent, a publisher, or the IRS.

read about:

The truth about the clout of agents in getting a writer sold;
the best deal to make if you sell your book to the movies;
when to sign a multibook contract, and when to sell one book at a time;
is the advance offered to you poor, good, or terrific?

And lots more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"In these 53 short chapters previously published in Locus , the science fiction trade paper, a New York literary agent describes the publishing scene in general and explains many aspects of his profession," remarked PW . "Full of facts, advice, opinions and anecdotes, the book offers food for thought to authors, editors and publishers, aspiring and established."
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A veteran writer's representative and author of How To Be Your Own Literary Agent ( LJ 3/15/83), Curtis writes the "Agent's Corner" column in Locus, a magazine for science fiction authors, publishers, and fans. This book is largely drawn from those columns. Topics include trends and economics in publishing and pay scales, with frequent asides in the form of advice or empathy (he too was a freelance writer). Most writers will gather insight from these pages, learning why checks from publishers are so slow, how movie rights work, or what agents can and cannot do. But Curtis's way of alluding to books, deals, and persons without identifying them can leave the reader at a loss. Consider as a possible complement to the usual books for writers or as a candid look at the realities of publishing.
- William A. Donovan, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Plume (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452264324
• ISBN-13: 978-0452264328
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,325,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent examination of the publishing industry, August 27, 2000

By 

Robert Liparulo (author of Deadfall, Germ & Comes a Horseman) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond the Bestseller (Plume) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the best book I've ever read on the subject of book publishing, especially the author-agent, agent-editor, editor-author relationships. Although a bit dated (most references are to mid-'80 events), Curtis is thorough, humorous, and above all insightful.