Get Published with Literary Agent and Book Coach Megan Close Zavala-EP044

As freelance writers, most of us have dreamed of seeing our picture on a book jacket. But the process of finding a publisher and securing a literary agent may seem intimidating. How do you pitch your book idea to an agent? What is involved in the submission process? What’s the difference between traditional and digital publishing? It’s time to take the ‘aspiring’ out of ‘aspiring author’ with today’s guest, who answers your questions about the publishing world.

Megan Close Zavala is a literary agent at Keller Media and the creator of Turn the Page Book Coaching and Editorial. She began her career in the film industry, working in the business and legal affairs department for companies like E! Entertainment, Comcast Media Group, and NBCUniversal. After a layoff and a year in India, Megan went on a mission to land a job in publishing that would allow her to read for a living, and she became an editorial assistant at Keller Media.

Megan was quickly promoted to literary agent, and she has been working with authors in that capacity since January of 2015. Since then, she has worked with New York Times best-selling authors and spoken at writers’ conferences across the country. Megan came to realize that many writers needed additional assistance beyond what she could offer as an agent, and Turn the Page was born to provide editorial and book coaching services to authors at various stages in the writing process. Today she takes the mystery out of publishing, explaining the role of a literary agent, how to submit a proposal or manuscript, and how to establish a working relationship with a trustworthy agent. Listen in to get Megan’s best advice for aspiring authors!

 

Key Takeaways

The pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing

• Traditional route provides support to help sell/improve book
• Self-publishing allows you to maintain total control
• Be an informed consumer when choosing self-publisher (companies make promises re: book promotion that they don’t keep)
• Responsibility for marketing falls on you when you opt for self-publishing

 

How to establish a relationship with a literary agent

• Approach agents who work with your genre
• Follow submission guidelines on publisher website
• Understand where your book falls in marketplace and what makes it unique

 

The role of a literary agent

• Works with author to get proposal/manuscript in order
• Research and choose editors to pitch
• Submit materials to interested editors
• Negotiate best deal possible
• Assist with marketing

 

How to choose the right publisher

• Review titles on publisher website for similar genres, experience
• Examine similar books for agent credit
• Employ literary agent directories (writing reference section of local bookstore)
• Make use of websites like PublishersMarketplace

 

Megan’s tips for choosing an agent

• Agents work on commission; don’t agree to pay a ‘reading fee’
• Select someone you feel comfortable with
• Advocate for yourself rather than accepting the first offer

 

Megan’s book coaching service

• ‘Personal trainer’ for writers
• Works with authors at various stages in the process
• Work together to identify problem areas, strategies to fix
• Copyediting and proofreading services available

 

Common challenges of aspiring authors

• Not willing to spend money to invest in process
• Attached to work, difficulty letting go of character/subplot

 

The benefits of working with a book coach

• Help see book in a new way
• Act as accountability partner

 

Megan’s best advice for would-be authors

• Dedicate a specific time each day to get something on paper (even if it’s five minutes)
• Establish self-imposed deadlines and keep your commitment

 

Resources

PublishersMarketplace

 

Connect with Megan Close Zavala

Turn the Page Website

Turn the Page on Facebook

Turn the Page on Twitter

Turn the Page on Pinterest

Megan on Twitter

Keller Media