From Pitch to Publication: Everything You Need to Know to Get Your Novel Published

by Carole Blake

Many books will tell you how to write. Many will tell you where to find a publisher. But the certainty of success lies in marrying the quality of your work with a professional approach to the publishing process. Selling your fiction is one of the key ways of measuring that success. No top publishing industry professional has shown as clearly as here, how the publishing system really works. And how to make it work for you.
This book will advise you from the moment you pick it up. Is there actually a market for your writing? How do you find it? How should you work constructively with your publisher or agent? How can you safeguard your rights, negotiate and check the fine print of offers and contracts? How will your book be sold and how can you help?
Here is the complete guide to successfully presenting yourself to agents and publishers and making the most of the time before and after publication.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing your novel is only the first step towards getting published. If you're not sure how it all works, this book is an exhaustive guide covering how to pitch your work, who to pitch your work to, how to present it, the differences between publishers and agents, contract negotiations, understanding royalty statements, and more.

Be warned that this book focuses mostly on commercial fiction.

Carole Blake is an experienced literary agent working for one of the bigger literary agencies, Blake Friedman. I have personally met her and found her to be incredibly professional and approachable, and her personality carries through in this book.

Some of her advice can be a little intimidating, and many authors in particular might be discouraged by her focus on author marketability. Blake really highlights the point that, ultimately, publishing is a business, and I think this is incredibly important to get through to authors. If there is something unique about you (you have an exciting job, you're really old or really young) than this might help you sell your novel. When you are submitting your manuscript, you are ultimately selling yourself, not your work. Sad, but true.

Some people might criticize Blake for highlighting the importance of author marketability, but I think this is essential for authors to know. If you're serious about wanting to get published, you cannot hold onto the false impression that publishing is a 'fair' industry where talent is rewarded. Talent IS rewarded, but only if it will sell. And Blake will show you the ropes on how to maximise your chances at success.

Yes, some of her advice is very picky (e.g. don't submit a manuscript that smells of smoke). Having worked in an agency, I can understand why. Scores and scores of submissions are received each day. Submitting a manuscript is asking an agent or publisher to invest time and money into you. Why shouldn't you therefore make sure your submission is the best it can possibly be?

However, do take note that while most of Blake's advice is incredibly helpful, it is also prescribing her preferences. If you're thinking of submitting to an agent or publisher, make sure to check out their individual guidelines, as there may be differences in what Blake suggests and what they request.

Overall, Blake provides a very thorough overview of every aspect involved in publishing a book, from the initial submission to the nitty-gritty contract details. Recommended reading not just for authors, but for anyone new to publishing.

[Leo Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After we got past the really embarrassing 'I would rather slit my wrists than write fiction' and one count of pens, pencils and the like being called 'stationary', actually a very comprehensive guide to being a writer.

(I wonder if she would be as forgiving of my own work? Hee hee!)

It does manage to escape that weird trend of people in the know writing books for potential writers in this really lame, arrogant sarcastic tone- funny to see her improve as a writer while reading such a book.

Equal parts inspiring, sobering and informative.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

When this was published in 1999, it was a very useful albeit dense work. The author, who was a very experienced agent at a top agency which she co-founded, was well placed to discuss all aspects of the publishing world at that date.

The book begins by laying out what to do in order to gain representation by an agent - though contrary to any expectations raised by the title, it doesn't actually talk about what are now known as elevator pitches. In fact 'pitch' does not exist as an entry in the index at the back. It is more an explanation of how to put together a submission package to an agent. It then goes on to what happens when you have succeeded in getting an agent, then in how a book is submitted to a publisher, including auctions (held where the author is a best-seller or has a very topical non-fiction book), and general information on rights and their reversions, how to change agent and so on. Included are pages of example clauses showing what should be in a contract between a writer and publisher, and a detailed guide to making sense of royalty statements. Everything was done using paper, which is another aspect that dates the book.

It's very clear from her description of what she as an agent did to secure various rights for the author (rather than let publishers take all rights which they were often not equipped to sell for the best price) and chasing up various publishers etc for information and royalties, that agents of her calibre were instrumental in developing author careers and getting the best possible outcome for their clients. As she makes clear, the agent worked for the author (since they earned a commission from whatever the author was paid) whereas the staff at a publishers were salaried by that publisher, so the agent had more incentive to work hard on the author's behalf. However, although writers think they have "arrived" if they succeed in being taken on by an agent, even a top one cannot guarantee publication: I knew someone whom Carole represented, on the basis of winning prestigious short story competitions but, despite her best efforts, no publisher made an offer and they gave up writing.

The book trade has changed beyond recognition since 1999: firstly, with the introduction of ebooks (not actually mentioned but covered in passing by a catch-all term of 'digital') and then by the massive growth industry of self-publishing via platforms such as Amazon, Draft2Digital, Kobo etc. Sadly, the author died in 2016 so this book will never be updated, and agents have no role in self publication in any case. Given the dating which limits its usefulness, I have to deduct a couple of stars and rate this at 3 stars.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly read this earlier this year when putting together a piece of work for my Creative Writing course. Plenty of good advice from an author who was also an agent, and really understood the trade. The book is a little dated. I bought my copy second hand, and things will have changed, but much of the advice remains timeless. An interesting read, sometimes a little dense, but the author has a lot to say, so it is hard to fault her for that.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly marked down for now being out of date in some respects, since it’s a while since publication and the publishing industry and bookshop models have moved on a bit, but most of this book was full of useful information told in a straightforward way.

[Anna Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's dense with a lot of information, DNF mostly because I had to return it to the library. lol.

But also because I've finished the assignment I borrowed it for and a lot of the stuff it covers I've already read in other books.

[Michelle]

Carole Blake gives an insight into the world of publishing in 1999.
For a further review, please see Cobbett's books.

[Is Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly useful, interesting and relevant, even despite the references to audio cassettes.

[P.J. MacNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this about 20 years ago when it first came out. Having assembled a roomful of books like this during the mid to late 90s I have no hesitation is saying that this is the best of the lot. I read the whole thing fascinatedly from cover to cover and even mentioned it in a piece I was working on at the time which may just end up in one of the books I have planned at some pointy in the future. I learned an awful lot from this book. It was easy to understand, very interesting, and not at all dictatorial or doctrine-like. This lady is here to help you and she knows what she's talking about it. I have taken quite a long and unusual route to publication as a writer myself personally, and in the long run I can't say this helped me, but I'm absolutely certain it would help 99% of the other struggling writers out there get their work into print.

Well done, Carole!

[Simon Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really useful book. It changed my attitude about how to approach publishers/literary agents. Many writers see them as the enemy and only when you look at things from their perspective, do you start to understand the importance of presenting a manuscript in the best possible way that facilitates their work.
I was lucky enough to have a chat with Carole and she's a very interesting, down-to-earth person, who is passionate about books and always keen to help new writers. But, she expects that they treat her and her staff politely and make the effort to make her job easier.

[Vicky Newham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a very useful book, well organised and easy to read. It is slightly outdated but it contains a lot of information about publishing which doesn't alter. Sections are well organised. There is a lot of information about contracts which is particularly helpful for writers who are pitching to publishers direct. Even for authors who are going through an agent, the material here is still helpful, especially since rights structures have changed so much. Other reviewers have commented on the tone of the book. I wanted a tell-it-as-it-is guide so it worked for me.

[Heather Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real, no nonsense guide to getting your book out there. Carole doesn't pull punches, which is why I recommend this to all my wannabe published writer friends. It's a good, get real introduction to the world you want to infiltrate. Be prepared for home truths; then again, if you are a wannabe published writer, like myself, then you have to be.
I attribute this and Stephen King's excellent 'On Writing' to helping me get towards the submission stage with my own novel. Highly recommended.

[Faith Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super book! Carol Blake knows about publishing and you don't need to look through her list of super clients to know that this woman can answer your every question you can think of! The book flows, like the title says from the begining to the culmination of the journey on that first book and touches on the creation of that all important platform! Great book

[Stantontas]

Lots of detail about its subject, nothing much to interest anyone who's not at where the book is aimed at.

[Amanda Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an encouring book

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a thick, dense book packed with information, and although valuable, was very dry. I found the book discouraging to new writers and in that sense, not helpful.

[Michele Kallio · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent if dated guide to securing a literary agent. Blake takes you step by step through the process from "PITCH TO PUBLICATION" and every step along the way! Excellent resource!