Deciphering the Writing Industry
Newsletter #126
Being on Sub and Acquisitions
It’s been a little while since I’ve written about how the writing industry works. I have an early post about definitions that you can read, then posts about querying agents and signing with one. I have posts on being on sub and some bleak numbers about the writing industry. So I’d like to continue this educational series by discussing what happens when an agent sends out to editors a manuscript.
If an editor is interested, that’s the beginning spark! At different publishing houses, there are a variety of processes or steps from that first glimmer of interest to an offer to publish. So I won’t go into those details, since each house operates differently. But perhaps after initially sharing with their team or other people who work in the editorial department for second reads and opinions, eventually the manuscript lands in an acquisitions meeting. This is the meeting where it’s decided whether or not to greenlight the project.
Because each book is an investment by the publisher, many departments come together to make this decision. Here’s a sampling of who weighs in during an acquisitions meeting:
Editorial: Besides the acquiring editor (the one who initially loved this book), the editorial director or other team members attend. The editor presents the book to the team to show the promise of the title.
Publicity and Marketing: This group considers ideas of how the book can be marketed throughout the year for different holidays, seasons, topics, etc. (why picture books need lots of layers and hooks), and whether or not it competes with any other book titles they’re publishing. They discuss ways the book will be marketed.
Sales or Finance: A profit and loss (P&L) statement is analyzed for anticipated sales of the book based on comparison titles and how profitable it could be for the company.
School and Library: This division determines how a book might be received in schools and libraries based on how the topic and format may appeal to children.
Rights and Licensing: Sometimes other adjacent products could accompany this book as well as the potential for tv or film.
Design and Production: The book design elements, materials, and overall look and feel come into play and can contribute to the costs from the P&L depending on the format. Also, art directors or book designers might have input about the potential illustrator and the look of the art.
Publisher: The head of the house weighs in to see if this book fits well within their list and the types of books they create.
If all goes well, it’s time to make an offer to the agent, who tells the author. Then the negotiation begins and eventually (sometimes months later because of contract lawyers at the literary agency and publisher review every part multiple times), a contract is signed. Yahoo!
Book Report: Gwei the Hungry Ghost
Written by Emeline Lee
Illustrated by Basia Tran
From the first page of this book I could feel the plight of Gwei, the ghost who is cursed to never feel full yet has refined tastes in food. We become immersed in Taiwanese foods like crispy chili fried fish and warm roasted chestnuts at the night market. In Basia’s art we start to see hints of other hungry ghosts who linger about the market, holding on to their gold coins and munching on delicious treats. She creates settings with a black-outlined cartoon-style illustrations with gorgeously gentle and transparent ghosts. Gwei meets another hungry ghost and through his kind interactions with her, learns that feeling fulfilled comes from sharing with a friend. I love how the author Emeline includes so much fantastic back matter that teaches readers about the Hungry Ghost Festival, a guide to Ghosts in Chinese Folklore, and additional resources, all of which add to a deeper understanding of an already lovely story.
Themes: generosity, friendship
Discussion Ideas:
Why did Gwei feel more fulfilled after spending time with Mei-Mei?
What is the theme of this story and how can you apply it to your life?
Mentor Text For:
adjectives for descriptive language
reading the illustrations
making inferences
character growth
story arc and plot elements
Link to Teacher Resources: Activity Kit
Buy this book!
Disclosure: Thanks for your support when purchasing any books from my affiliate page on Bookshop.org.
Weekly Progress Report
This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.
worked and scheduled a few newsletters
met with Stephanie Moon about a publicity question
put together a mini travel painting kit
finalized a few changes in the back matter of a manuscript
read a stack of picture books as mentor texts
started watching replays from a book marketing seminar
Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,
Susan