The Career Novelist: A Literary Agent Offers Strategies for Success

by Donald Maass

Successful New York literary agent Donald Maass has guided many fiction writers from first book to full-time career. In The Career Novelist, Maass has gathered his considerable experience and insight both as an agent and as an author of fourteen novels and put it into one indispensable resource. From Maass, learn about the dream and reality of being a published author, how to choose an agent, the marketing game, collaborations, electronic rights, and much much more!

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Business, Ebooks

245 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Donald Maass is the author of more than 16 novels. He now works as a literary agent, representing dozens of novelists in the SF, fantasy, crime, mystery, romance and thriller categories. He speaks at writer's conferences throughout the country and lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Ксенія Шпак]

Що цікавого вичитала:
Масштаби оцейво американського книжкового ринку вражають: літагенція авторка книжки отримує 5000 синопсисів на рік, з них десь 1 з 20 вони просять прочитати уривок, а повністю читають всього 40 рукописів на рік (чи читали, ця книга не така вже й нова, але Стівотер у своєму Гудрідс все одно радить прочитати).
З практики цього літагента 50% авторів не можуть продати другий текст (ужос).
Ставати фул-тайм автором у США краще не раніше п'ятої книжки - за умови, що всі 5 мають додруки і все ще непогано продаються.
Три видані книжки з норм продажами - це не кар'єра, це видавець переконався, що недарма гроші вклав, хехе.
У книжковому бізнесі США помилки виправити дуже важко, особливо якщо йдеться про галімий перший контракт.
Про самопромоцію він пише, що це другий фултайм, якщо ви не піарник, то це робити напряжно, особливо якщо у вас уже є фултайм, діти чи волонтерство. І велике питання, чи справді самопромоція впливає на продажі, але видавництва люблять, коли автор проактивний у цьому все одно. Та головне - хороший текст, час завжди краще витратити на нього. Ну, соцмереж тоді ще не було, так що не знаю, наскільки це актуально. (Як і наскільки можна все решту застосувати до наших реалій).
Розділ, як обрати літагента, не читала, бо в наших реаліях мало користі (розділ про їхні аванси й тиражі теж, ггг, там було щось про манюнький тираж у 10 тисяч примірників).
А ще письменники й художники, кажуть британські вчені, на 35% частіше хворіють ментальними розладами, ніж інші люди!

[Libbie Hawker (L.M. Ironside) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest and forthright book, full of no-holds-barred reality-checks for the author (particularly the midlister), the edition I read has lost a lot of its relevance over the past couple of years. Nowadays this book is about 50% useful and about 50% obsolete, as the publishing industry continues to reinvent itself and change its standards and procedures seemingly monthly, and largely in response to the rapid progress of technology and social networking. The publishing world is, at present, a very interesting and mutable world, and nobody is quite sure where it's going or what path it will take next. That makes it a terribly exciting world to explore, but also a world that looks very different from ten years ago or more, when this book had a much more relevant bearing on the market.

I noticed that Donald Maass made the book available as a free download on his site; perhaps he's done an updated edition that deals with today's challenges and opportunities. If so, I'd love to read it, as the old edition was very direct and useful in its time.

[John Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of this book is outdated, but much of it is also timeless. It is still worth reading for anyone with aspirations of being a published novelist.

[Deedee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I assigned it only 4 stars because it is dated. Yes, dated as far as publishing goes but it still has advice to bring pie-in-the-sky notions about writers getting rich quickly back down to eye-level. My biggest take-away is that first and foremost writers should treat writing and publishing like the serious business it is. Work, work, work toward success but don't bet the bank that you are really going to see much of it.

[Emily Ragsdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably not bad advice overall, in terms of taking writing seriously as a career, not a get-rich-quick scheme, etc. Advice for picking the right agent probably hasn't changed much in the past 30 years or so. But overall it's dated. Very dated. The chapters on "electronic books" and whether or not you need one of those newfangled websites are unintentional comedy gold.

[Laura Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is dated--I think he explains what that thing the world wide web is--there was a lot of timeless wisdom. Love all his books.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm generally not the type to read books on how to write, but this book was really informative. Maass made some really fascinating and fundamental points about the publishing world. I feel like it's been a REAL eye-opener in regards to how it all works: how to find an agent, how to actually get published, how advances and royalties work, how to make an actual career out of writing...

Getting into the nitty-gritty also frightened me; I definitely had one of those revelationary moments while reading where you realise you now know far too much to continue taking on a childlike view on the world anymore. The publishing world is SCARY.

There was also some really great information on what makes a novel successful. Nothing concrete - I don't believe anything is actually concrete in this business, and Maass confirms this - but definitely things to consider.

The only thing I'm left questioning is just how useful some of this information is in regards to the 21st century. The book was written in the 90s, and Maass constantly refers to 'the author of the 90s' or 'how to do _____ in the 90s', which left me wondering if it still applies to today, or if things have changed. There are some points he brings up which I'm sure are always going to stay constant in publishing, no matter the era, but still... it left me wondering.

Over all, I really enjoyed this. Definitely informative and eye-opening, while remaining interesting as well.

[Shaun Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though outdated in spots (published in 1996), this book is one of the best and most valuable guides I've read, offering a realistic view of the publishing industry that, while it may crush a few million dollar pipe dreams, offers hope for the dedicated and serious new writer who wishes to someday earn their daily bread telling stories. Packed with information and insight into writing itself, genre, agent selection, querying, contracts, industry trends and how they work, advances, royalties, sub-rights, audience building, promotion, publishers themselves, editors, and even the economy and its effect on the business of getting books in the hands of readers.

Where it falls short is in the area of electronic rights, since platforms like the Kindle, Nook, and others didn't exist when it was written and sites like Amazon were in their relative infancy. This section does, however, show that Maass could see the writing on the wall of this arena, and understood its importance even then.

To sum up, this book makes me not only want to read his other books on publishing, but pretty much sent Donald Maass rocketing to the top of my agent query list. The only reason I'm noting rating it five stars is its age.

Excellent resource for anyone who want to ever have anything to do with the publishing industry, and possibly invaluable for its target audience, the aspiring or struggling career novelist.

[Joan Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required Reading for Writers

Why read this book? What makes it different from all the other books on writing? Donald Maass is a successful literary agent who knows writing and publishing. What he has to say about the importance of fiction echoes my own thoughts: that it's a way of understanding ourselves and the world around us and that the world needs storytellers. "In our world of dislocation, of declining institutions, it is imperative that the values that bind us together be reaffirmed." He asserts that the solo storyteller can show us "new ways of seeing and new paths toward understanding." (The Career Novelist, p.xvi)

Whether you are seeking publication the traditional way or plan to go the indie route, this book will give you some knowledge about the publishing business that you really need if you want to call yourself a professional writer.

When you finish the book, you should be able to write your own business plan, which is what all writers want a good agent to do for them. You'll know where you have failed in the past. You'll be able to figure out what the next logical step in your career should be.

[Zen Cho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, though obviously rather dated by now (LOLed at the discussion, in the electronic rights section, of CD-ROMs).

Bits that stuck with me:

"The number one mistake I have seen authors make over the years is going full-time too soon." This is most interesting because I can think of at least two authors I suspect that is true of. (I don't know them personally at all, so am merely speculating!)

He mentions that when publishers start throwing around huge advances that don't seem justified, that's often precursor to a bust.

He defines the successful career novelist as one who makes an annual six-figure income from their writing, and describes their common traits as follows:

1) Genre writers (no mainstream novels, no genre crossing)
2) Published for 10 years before reaching 6-figure income level
3) 6-figure income arrived before 6-figure advances, because they were deriving it from backlist royalties and subrights sales
4) Not "plugged in": they don't do a lot of hustling (going to conventions, hanging out in Usenet groups (haha), self-promoting, etc.)
5) They have their own agenda and unique voice

[E Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book. It focuses mostly on what happens in your career after your published. Information about how contracts work and what to do if you publishing house go bankrupt, how to avoid a mid-career slump, and when you know you're ready to quit your job and be a full time writer.

There's some stuff mixed in there for aspiring authors as well, but I think there are other books out there better suited for novelists still looking for an agent and their first break. Donald Maass has a few of them, which are on my to-read list.

Can't beat the price though. You can download an electronic version of this one free at his website.

When I'm ready to answer some of those questions, I plan to revisit this book.

[Samantha Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in the 90's, so it's somewhat outdated around current trends; however, good advice on how to become a solid writer with a long-term career transcends momentary fads. Donald Maass has been doing this a long time, and he knows what he's talking about. The advice can be summed up by 1) be patient and 2) keep writing and improving your writing, but it's so much more than that.

If you're serious about wanting to become a full-time writer, and you can handle a reality check, read this book.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a bit too dated, but some interesting and useful advice.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This handbook is not really up-to-date, but it offers good insights and information, but mostly you already have to have written your book, it's all about finding a good editor, agent and a good publisher, but the book has to be already there.

Questo libro é abbastanza datato, ma offre dei buoni suggerimenti ed informazioni, ma il manoscritto deve giá essere pronto, perché qui ci sono spunti per trovare un buon editore, un agente ed una buona casa editrice, ma il libro deve essere giá stato scritto.

[Mark O'Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're planning on becoming a writer, this book is a must read.
With great advice on how to find an agent, how to deal with contracts, and how to deal with your career as an author. Everyone serious about becoming an author should get it.

The best part about this book is that it's currently FREE!
Just go to his website and download it!

Here's a link:
www.2morrow.bc.ca/documents/career_no...

[Amy Parker]

A bit outdated now, but still lots of good advice to be had about publishing and building a career writing fiction. I cringed at the points I know I've screwed up and felt validated about the ones I know I haven't. Perfect for those who are agented or close and are looking at how to approach novel writing for the long term and want practical tips on how to get their feet on more solid ground from the get go.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all Donald Maass books, this one is full of information and advice given in a conversational tone. Though a bit dated (from the 90's), almost everything is still relevant. The chapter on electronic rights was entertaining to read-its historical perspective on the future of e-books was interesting. This book pre-dates the Breakout Novel ones, which further flesh-out the techniques and advice found in this one.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of books for the beginning writer in the marketplace, but this is the only one I know of that is also oriented toward the midlist author. The focus is career management, with Maass giving advice on such topics as when to quit your day job and how to break out of the midlist (a topic he goes into more depth on in his Writing the Breakout Novel books).

[Lanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like some people pointed out, some topics are a bit outdated, but I found them still pretty good to understand how the career was back then.

But overall this book offers very solid advice. I just wished it had more examples or that the author invited other writers to comment throughout the book about what they passed through and the advices of Maass. That would have been perfect.

[Todd Croak-Falen · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most informative--and most depressing--books I've ever read. It's better to know how your industry of choice works rather than being naively hopeful, but it can also be a very disappointing realization.

[Cyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The career information was solid, but the rest is terribly outdated. I especially laughed while reading the electronic rights section about how CD-ROMS were the future--on my Kindle.

If this had up-to-date information about the state of publishing today it might be five stars.

[Vilmos Kondor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and very useful book, I found it entertaining and filled with practical advices and it's a quite rare book in this regard: it tells you what to do, what not to do and how. Not many books in this topic offer useful practicalities. Highly recommended.

[Margaret Pinard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of it was outdated, ashamed r kept referring to 'the Nineties,' but overall a great tone, some interesting history, and good solid advice about how the big publishing industry works. Helpful to have confirmed that 5 books is the line for being considered a truly committed writer.

[Laynie D. Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful.

[Lynne Stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not done with the book yet but it has good advise.

[Claire Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good read- the most informative industry book I've read so far. Unfortunately a lot has changed since it was published, so some advice isn't as relevant.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent advice that still works in a rapidly-changing industry.

[J.A. Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff this :)

[Laura Whitcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for learning how the publishing biz works and assisting you in your hunt for the right agent.

[Kevin Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give credit where credit is due: Without this little book, I never would have grown up as a writer. The advice contained is that good. I am indebted.