Be Your Own Literary Agent: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Getting Published [Paperback]

Martin P. Levin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0898158788 | ISBN-13: 978-0898158786 | Edition: Rev&Exp

Why sacrifice ten to fifteen percent of your book advance to a commissioned agent when you don'¬?t have to? If you'¬?re a talented writer with a head for details, you can prepare your manuscript, pitch it to publishers, secure an offer, and negotiate your contract without using an agent or spending hundreds of dollars on a publishing lawyer. In this revised and updated edition of BE YOUR OWN LITERARY AGENT, fifty-year publishing veteran Martin P. Levin walks first-time authors through the intimidating process of selling their work with a clear, intelligent, and supportive approach that works. Sample letters and proposals show you exactly how to write a query letter, compile an author bio, phrase a book summary, organize a sample chapter, and more. With a clean manuscript in your hand and BE YOUR OWN LITERARY AGENT in your pocket, publishing success is virtually assured.‚Ä¢ Includes a glossary of publishing terms, a list of publishers most likely to read and accept a first-time author'¬?s book, and a handy manuscript submission record.‚Ä¢ The new edition covers how to get published on the Internet and protect electronic rights, and includes new copyright terms for authors.‚Ä¢ Original edition sold over 20,000 copies.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

So William Morris won't return your calls? And the folks at Scott Meredith are still charging too much? Then hunker down and grit your teeth: it's time to take matters into your own hands. Renounce the passivity so often associated with the writer's lot and be your own agent. Ex-publishing executive Martin Levin takes you through all the steps in this book of basics, from cover letters to contracts. Note, however, that the info here is geared toward those who want to break into publishing. If scripting is your game, you'll just have to go out and produce your own flick.

From Booklist

It is becoming the rule these days that first-time authors have little chance of getting published without assistance from an agent. Overworked editors at understaffed publishing companies look upon agent-sponsored projects as a means to "discovering" desirable product and avoiding the tremendous volume of manuscripts flooding their offices. The literary agent plays a major role in evaluating, developing, and marketing practically all fictional works published today. Levin, after a full publishing career at Grosset & Dunlap and the Times Mirror Company, studied law, passed the bar, and is now a counsel to (what is called in the business) an intellectual property firm, representing authors and negotiating contracts; he believes a first-time author can still independently make it to the editor and get his or her work successfully published. Levin shares some of the tools of his trade here, covering the crucial territory the literary agent negotiates so successfully. Some particularly useful material includes Levin's eight-step program for selling a book, a model book proposal with an excellent example of each of its parts, and a discussion on negotiating a contract with a clearly delivered discussion of the poor, fair, and good deals. Leon Wagner --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press; Rev&Exp edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898158788
• ISBN-13: 978-0898158786
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,214,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin P. Levin, now Counsel at the New York City law firm Cowan, Leibowitz & Latman, has decades of experience in law and publishing. After years at Grosset & Dunlap and Times Mirror Book Company, and a term as chairman of the Association of American Publishers, he attended New York Law School at night, and was admitted to the New York bar at the age of 65. In addition to his regular practice, Martin teaches publishing law at New York Law School, and is currently a Resident Fellow at the Yale University Publishing Course.

Now, at 92 years of age, he has a full active expanding practice, teaching and writing. All I Know About Publishing I Learned From My Dog was published by Skyhorse Publishing in April 2011, and his next book, Letters From Angel, will be published in October of 2011. He has no intention of retiring (again).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good guide toward getting your writing in front of an editor, January 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Be Your Own Literary Agent: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Getting Published (Paperback)

This book is good for what it is. What it isn't, is how to be your own agent. Chapters on contracts and agreements say get a lawyer or agent. Though it does give examples of contract provisions, it leaves the reader thinking that he really does need an agent or attorney. This book isn't about never having an agent, its about getting the offer BEFORE you get an agent. It might even let you negotiate your first book deal if its a simple one.

However, the book IS a good guide on how to get your manuscript to an editor, and get him to read it. With tips not only on what your presentation should look like (query letters, sample chapters, etc.) but also how to find the right editor and make sure he or she reads your manuscript.

The book contains annecdotes from famous authors, sample query letters, cover letters, as well as tips on improving your chances to get plucked from the slush pile. It also does give you familiarity with contract terms and a good idea of what a "standard" offer might be, so that you and your agent will be speaking the same language.

This is a good book for anyone who wants to send their manuscript directly to the editor rather than trying to first find an agent. If you think you'll have more luck this way, this is a good book for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars number one book, July 2, 2010

By 

Barbara Pappan (TONKAWA, OKLAHOMA, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Be Your Own Literary Agent: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Getting Published (Paperback)

I received my order in a timely order. The book is in excellent shape. I definitely got my money's worth. Great job~

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Your Own Literary Agent by Martin P. Levin, March 17, 2010

By 

Ms P. Wooldridge (Saco, Maine, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Be Your Own Literary Agent: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Getting Published (Paperback)

If I ever dare to become my own literary agent, Mr. Levin's advice is the advice I will follow. He is very thorough and the book is most helpful.