Comments on: Meet Agent Scott Eagan

By: Scott Eagan

Scott Eagan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:11:04 +0000

If you miss out today the chance to chat, please feel free to stop by on my blog and throw out some questions. I’ll certainly do my best to cover any thing that might come up.

Scott

By: Scott Eagan

Scott Eagan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:40:33 +0000

Anne, great questions…
In answer to the number of books to write, this really depends on the genre and depth of the stories. I am of the opinion 2-3 is a good standard. Remember, the more your name is out there, the more your readers will remember you.

As far as promotional things, word of mouth is still the strongest. The key, again, is to keep your name out there.

Using the social media sites and your website is great but the key is to really do more than just talk with friends. Talk up those new projects, and certainly work with other authors.

I would have to say the strongest would be conference participation. Get out there and work the crowds. Teach sessions, meet with new authors. They are hungry to learn and they certainly will buy those books.

Finally, in terms of the publishing houses, I will send stories to places that I believe they fit. Since I tend to see a lot of new authors, we tend to start small. Not because they can’t write well, but their craft is still in the growing stage. On that note, however, I just sold a first time, first novel author to New American Library for a nice deal so that rule doesn’t always apply. Bigger houses aren’t always better. I try to work with authors at Greyhaus to find the right match to keep that career moving.

Hope that helps.

By: Scott Eagan

Scott Eagan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:30:46 +0000

Robin,
Great question on the paranormal status. I think we are already seeing a shift. It seems that we have pretty much done all that we can with vamps and were’s. We made them funny, we made them dark. Now we are starting to mix genres up a bit. Heck, we even make them into teens. Still, I often find when I get a submission like this, I record in my submission log “same old, same old.” There just isn’t much new.

Yes, there are authors out there really able to keep this line up, but they are those that have already established their writing.

Scott

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:24:13 +0000

Hi Scott,

I have a few questions if you don’t mind.

How many books do you feel an author needs to write in a year to compete in the market?

Do you have any promotional must-haves that an author be required to utilize?

I noticed on your author links that your authors don’t have any big name publishing houses. Do you prefer the smaller houses, boutique houses, and if so, why?

Thanks for your time.
Anne

By: Robin Hillyer Miles

Robin Hillyer Miles — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:54:37 +0000

Wow, you are a college professor, stay-at-home dad and an agent. How do you schedule your time to ensure it all gets done? Do you have any tips?

When do you think the werewolf/vampire/supernatural madness will end? (Apologies to the vamp writers but I am over it, really.)

BTW – read your note on RWAonline and came over here to visit you!

By: Scott Eagan

Scott Eagan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:40:43 +0000

Thanks for having me. I look forward to chatting all day.
This is a great group!

Scott

By: Ann Lethbridge

Ann Lethbridge — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:33:56 +0000

Hi Scott,
Great to see you here at NINC. I have to agree with your focus on communication. I never ever feel I can’t say what is on my mind, the good, the bad and the 5 hanky situations – and there has been a little bit of the latter. And I must say, I appreciate your almost instant replies to emails, unless of course you are off on a trip to Italy. But then, even agents need a break.
Best
Ann