Literary Agent - Evelyn Rainey

"A key objective is lower e-book prices," Amazon wrote in a blog post (http://www.amazon.com/forum/kindle/ref=cm_cd_tfp_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1D7SY3BVSESG&cdThread=Tx3J0JKSSUIRCMT) last week. The company made its case for $9.99 e-books, explaining that "For every copy an e-book would sell at $14.99, it would sell 1.74 copies if priced at $9.99."

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-amazon-e-book-numbers-20140731-story.html

I always thought "literary agents" were about as useful as "a fifth wheel" - based on my experiences with them. I tried for an entire year to find an agent. I found sharks and shysters and snobs who only wanted Leon Uris and Sydney Sheldon and really sweet individuals who couldn't spell their way out of a paper sack... I know there are very professional agents out there; I just never found them.

So when I set up Denouement Literary Agency, LLC I decided to be a UNIQUE agent. My goal is to help the author become published. Period. I don't market. I don't charge a percentage of the royalties (because quite honestly, royalties are based on the honesty of the distributor and the integrity of the publisher's financial office - and takes forever.)

My first step (after getting the signed contract) is to get my client's proposal packet in prime condition. I edit, they re-write.

Second step for me is to start pitching the packet to publishers while I gently (or not so gently) encourage the author to do self-editing on the manuscript along the lines that I did on the packet – if it needs it.

When I have found a publishing contract, my client pays me -- ONLY THEN and only the amount specified in the contract.

The publishers I work with are mostly from the USA, but I have contacted a few from Europe, Canada and Australia. They are traditional or small press publishing houses only.

I'm having so much fun! I love helping authors hone their craft. I would be grateful if you would pass this information along to your Meetup group.

Evelyn Rainey
Denouement Literary Agency LLC
http://Denouementlit.com Nineteen “rules governing literary art in the domain of romantic fiction,”