Podcasts about author inside you

I have a tradition that the last episode of the year is you answering WHY your favorite show is your FAVORITE. You know the show, you get notified in your app, and you immediately stop listening to whatever show and IMMEDIATELY go to theirs. Thanks to all who participated. I did something different and had AI summarize all the "WHYs" together. A special shout-out to Matt Rafferty from The Author Inside You. I assembled this at the last minute, and unfortunately Podinbox ate your reply. Join the School of Podcasting Community Risk-Free Are you looking to start your own podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and monetization. With our proven methods and unlimited one-on-one consulting, you'll be creating high-quality, engaging content in no time. Say goodbye to the frustration and uncertainty and hello to a successful podcasting career with the School of Podcasting. Use the coupon code schoolofpodcasting.com/listener to save on a monthly or yearly subscription. Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode on: Apple - Google - Spotify - Amazon Check out New Podcast Apps for apps to stream bitcoin to podcasters. Did You Get Value From This Episode? Enjoy the Show? Buy Dave a Coffee and give some of that value back.  PARTICIPANTS  Special Apology to Matt Rafferty your file was corrupt. Kelvin Crosby from the DeafBlind Potter and  Perseverance Podcast loves the Homesteaders of America Podcast Chris Lewis from the Dads with Daughters podcast loves the Real Brian Show. Craig from Live Well and Flourish loves the loves the Everything Everywhere show.  Danny Brown From One Minute Podcast Tips loves the Stuck in the 80's Podcast.  Kim Stewart from the Book Marketing Mania loves the Self Care Simplified show. Anastasia Lipske from Success Speakers Loves the Bible Recap  Todd the Gator from Guardian Downcast and the Destiny Helpdesk loves the School of Podcasting Scott from What Was That Like loves the Sound Judgment Podcast. Steve Stewart Loves Stacking Benjamins, but his WHY from the Retiredish Podcast Lousis from Love Thy Lawyer loves Sam Harris's Making Sense. Mark from the History of North America Podcast Loves Book Notes+ with Brian Lamb Paul from the Pass ACLS Tip of the day show loves Think Fast Talk Smart (but we all hate their URL). SP Rupert from Better Podcasting and Artie's Atic loves Main Engine Cutoff. York Welcome to Earth Stories from Welcome to loves the show Chaika Dr. Brad Miller from Cancer and Comedy loves the show Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend Harvis from Calm History loves James Cridland's Podnews Daily Tim from Create Art Podcast and Find a Podcast About podcast would listen to his show to make it better. Dave Jackson from Your Podcast Consultant likes Podnews Weekly Review. Mentioned In This Episode Join the School of Podcasting Community Profit From Your Podcast Book Power of Podcasting Network Gary Arndt's Audience Growth Strategies From the Movies Tara-Leigh Cobble Story on Building a Better Dave Dave's YouTube Channel Dave's Podcasting Newsletter Buy Dave a Coffee Put Dave In Your Pocket Where Will Dave Be? Question of the Month  

Our guest on this episode of The Author Inside You, is entrepreneur and author, Mike Ulmer. We discuss how Mike has developed a blueprint to help authors construct stories with strong conclusions. Book a call with Mike at: MikeUlmer.me Call 475-4PODCAST (475-476-3227) to leave a voicemail for Leah and Matt

On this episode of The Author Inside You we talk to music publisher and film producer Doug Stebleton about his debut novel It's a Wonderful Time. Unlike most authors, Doug wrote a film that he later turned into a book. We discuss his writing process, plus Doug shares some great behind-the-scenes stories about life in Hollywood. KarsAndStars.com HollywoodTimeTravel.com Contact Doug at doug@ironmikeent.com  

Podcasts are like Lay's potato chips (you can't have just one). Once you start one, Getting the itch to start a second is something people are thinking about. With this in mind, we look at questions you should ask before starting your first, second, third... podcast. Ready To Start Your Podcast? You may think nobody would listen to you, but I'm here to tell you they will. I have proven strategies to help you identify exactly what your audience wants. You will sound professional, and won't have to spend a million dollars to sound great. Learn through our online tutorials, live group coaching and a private Facebook Group filled with brilliant podcasters. Join worry-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. See schoolofpodcasting.com/listener   Podcasters Pondering a Second Show Kim Newlove of the Pharmacist's Voice is considering doing a local show about Perrysburg Ohio. Dr. Brad Miller of the Overcoming Adversity show has launched Santa Clause Says Podcast. Mark Vinet of the History of North America show is mixing in his historical fiction books (for me I would put these in their own show, and promote them in his first show). Matt Rafferty of the Author Inside You is thinking of doing a local show that interviews local businesses. Dave Jackson (me) is bringing back a show with a new format at MonthlyChallenge.fit 5 Questions You Should Answer When Starting Your Podcast Why are you starting a podcast? Is this a passion project or a business? Who is your audience What do they want to hear? (Why will they listen to your podcast?) How will you gauge your success? (Bonus) What will you stop doing to find the time to do this show? My Black Friday Purchases I like the output of Deverberate for cleaning up bad audio that has lots of reverb.  I also purchased Wiser Notification (aff) to make my pop-ups on my site, and to show social proof on my site. (coupon BF2022-30 ) QUESTION OF THE MONTH This month the question is the one I do every December. What is your favorite podcast in 2022 and WHY? You can only choose ONE (I know it's hard). If you can get their website URL that would be VERY helpful. Also be sure to mention your show, its website, and a little bit about it. Leave Your Answer at  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question Deadline is 12/30/22 Where I Will Be? I look forward to seeing you all, please come up and say hi. To see my full itinerary, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where Put Dave In Your Pocket! If you are a podcaster (or future podcaster) who would like to retain Dave's services without joining the School of Podcasting, I'm not using a new system to allow us to do this with zero scheduling conflicts. Check out daveinyourpocket.com   Mentioned In This Episode schoolofpodcasting.com/listener Northeast Ohio Podcast Pharmacist's Voice Overcoming Adversity Santa Clause Says the History of North America show historical fiction books the Author Inside You MonthlyChallenge.fit Building a Better Dave Podcast Rodeo Show Ask the Podcast Coach Podcast Review Show Your Podcast Consultant The History of Six Shooter This episode originates at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/855

We are joined by author and publisher Miriam Laundry on this episode of The Author Inside You. Miriam discusses how she became an entrepreneur as a result of writing a children's book. Also, she shares her story of how she co-authored a book with Jack Canfield of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series.

On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we learn from Valerie Thompkins about how she uses TikTok to grow her audience. Plus, she shares some great advice on finding your audience and increasing the size of your global community. Valerie generously offers to help anyone who needs advice in regards to publishing, all you need to do is reach out to her! read@authorvaleriethompkins.com AuthorValerieThompkins.com  

On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we learn from Valerie Thompkins about how she uses TikTok to grow her audience. Plus, she shares some great advice on finding your audience and increasing the size of your global community. Valerie generously offers to help anyone who needs advice in regards to publishing, all you need to do is reach out to her! read@authorvaleriethompkins.com AuthorValerieThompkins.com TikTok,Instagram, Facebook: @authorvaleriethompkins Call 475-4PODCAST (475-476-3227) to leave a voicemail for Leah and Matt

Author, Shawn Singleton, joins us on this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, where we converse about the key traits of a publicist. Additionally, we discuss how Shawn found the ideal publisher for his first book.   

Author, Shawn Singleton, joins us on this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, where we converse about the key traits of a publicist. Additionally, we discuss how Shawn found the ideal publisher for his first book.   

Since episode 388 2013, I've been asking my audio what is your ONE FAVORITE podcast (and yes, I know it's hard to pick just one) but more importantly WHY is it your favorite? Steve Stewart loves the Stacking Benjamins Show I interview Steve and Mark Deal on 752 about the Podcast Editor Academy York from Poetic Earthlings likes the Matt Walsh Show show. Chris Lewis from the Dads with Daughters podcast loves The Real Brian Show. I interview Brian back on episode 449 Glenn from the Coaching Kids Curling Podcast loves the Dave Chang Show.  If you're a person of color LISTEN TO EPISODE 806 Kim Newlove of the Pharmacists Voice loves the School of Podcasting (especially 779 on Reviews, and 792 when you die) Louis Goodman of Live the Lawyer loves the Trials of Frank Carson  Scott Johnson from What Was That Like?? loves the How Sound Podcast. Neil Scott  from Recovery Coast to Coast Loves the Bob Lefsetz Podcast. Matt Rafferty of the Author Inside You loves the Grand Scheme Snatching Sinatra Joe Saul Sehy from Stacking Benjamins Show loves the Xbox On Joe mentioned The E myth book. Mark Vinet from the History of North America Podcast loves the Book Note Plus show. Shane Whaley from Spybrary and Tourpreneur loves the "That Record Got Me High" podcast. Joe loves the Warrior Next Door Podcast. Bryan Goodwin of the Relaxed Male  loves the Alive and Free show Anthony Arno of the Route 66 Podcast and the Stemclass Podcast loves the Space Shot Podcast. Dave from Your Podcast Consultant loves I Hear Things from Tom Webster.  JANUARY QUESTION OF THE MONTH I need your answer before 1/28/22 Picture yourself in a podcast app in front of a podcast you might actually enjoy. Think of this experience and comment on it. What caught your eye? Is the description important? Do you subscribe? or "Cherry Pick" episodes. Do you ever subscribe/Follow? As we all want more followers/subscribers (and yes we know most of us find our podcasts via word of mouth), BUT when you're in an app, (I realize this is kind of vague), but what goes through your mind before you press either play or subscribe/follow? Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show, and your website address. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question Ready To Start Your Podcast? You may think nobody would listen to you, but I'm here to tell you they will. I have proven strategies to help you identify exactly what your audience wants. You will sound professional, and won't have to spend a million dollars to sound great. Learn through our online tutorials, live group coaching and a private Facebook Group filled with brilliant podcasters. Join worry-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. See schoolofpodcasting.com/workwithme Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode on: Apple - Google - Spotify - Amazon Check out New Podcast Apps for apps to stream bitcoin to podcasters. Did You Get Value From This Episode? Enjoy the Show? Buy Dave a Coffee and give some of that value back.   

Whether you are writing a query letter or a best-selling novel, our guest on this episode of The Author Inside You stresses that it is vital for you to know your audience. Author Nicola Kraus, writer of the immensely popular Nanny Diaries, shares with us helpful tips for writing query letters. Plus she shares some great behind-the-scenes of the making of the movie based on her bestseller. Nicola also explains why so many writers fail to trust. Trust who? Listen to this episode to find out, you just might be surprised at the answer! TheNannyDiaries.com TheFinishedThought.com e-AudioProductions.com Have an idea, comment, or feedback on the podcast? Give Matt and Leah a call at 475-4PODCAST (475-476-3227)

Whether you are writing a query letter or a best-selling novel, our guest on this episode of The Author Inside You stresses that it is vital for you to know your audience. Author Nicola Kraus, writer of the immensely popular Nanny Diaries, shares with us helpful tips for writing query letters. Plus she shares some great behind-the-scenes of the making of the movie based on her bestseller. Nicola also explains why so many writers fail to trust. Trust who? Listen to this episode to find out, you just might be surprised at the answer! TheNannyDiaries.com TheFinishedThought.com e-AudioProductions.com Have an idea, comment, or feedback on the podcast? Give Matt and Leah a call at 475-4PODCAST (475-476-3227)

Author Silvia Davis wrote a humorous memoir about her life growing up in a large family. As part of the promotional campaign for her book, Silvia contacted her local Barnes and Noble and was given the opportunity for an in-store book signing. With the help of Facebook Live and her outgoing personality, Silvia was able to sell out the Barnes and Noble supply of her books - and more! Check out this episode of The Author Inside You to hear all of the details of Silvia's fun times at B & N. For more information about Silvia: LivingaParable.com Leave feedback for The Author Inside You at 475-4PODCAST

Author Silvia Davis wrote a humorous memoir about her life growing up in a large family. As part of the promotional campaign for her book, Silvia contacted her local Barnes and Noble and was given the opportunity for an in-store book signing. With the help of Facebook Live and her outgoing personality, Silvia was able to sell out the Barnes and Noble supply of her books - and more! Check out this episode of The Author Inside You to hear all of the details of Silvia's fun times at B & N. For more information about Silvia: LivingaParable.com Leave feedback for The Author Inside You at 475-4PODCAST

Before you submit your manuscript or a sample of your writing to a publisher, it is essential that you do your homework. On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we discuss the publishing business with Reagan Rothe, the creator and owner of Black Rose Writing, an independent book publisher based in Texas. Reagan shares some great tips on what you can expect from independent publishing houses and what they expect from you.   BlackRoseWriting.com Contact Reagan: creator@BlackRoseWriting.com Free Book:  TheAuthorInsideYou.com/freebook

Before you submit your manuscript or a sample of your writing to a publisher, it is essential that you do your homework. On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we discuss the publishing business with Reagan Rothe, the creator and owner of Black Rose Writing, an independent book publisher based in Texas. Reagan shares some great tips on what you can expect from independent publishing houses and what they expect from you.   BlackRoseWriting.com Contact Reagan: creator@BlackRoseWriting.com Free Book:  TheAuthorInsideYou.com/freebook

On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we discuss character development with published author Mary Ellen Bramwell. We touch on character growth, consistency, and sequels with returning characters. Mary Ellen also shares a funny story about nearly being rejected by her publisher. MaryEllenBramwell.com BlackRoseWriting.com e-audioproductions.com

On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we discuss character development with published author Mary Ellen Bramwell. We touch on character growth, consistency, and sequels with returning characters. Mary Ellen also shares a funny story about nearly being rejected by her publisher. MaryEllenBramwell.com BlackRoseWriting.com e-audioproductions.com

When business slowed down during the pandemic, David Meyer stepped it up by writing a book. In order to share the stories of his clients he utilized his knowledge, and that of his team, to teach readers how to protect their retirement savings. In this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we hear how teamwork was used to write and publish David's book - The Investor Protector. Learn more about Scribe Media InvestorClaims.com BrokerCheck.org TheAuthorInsideYou.com/publish

When business slowed down during the pandemic, David Meyer stepped it up by writing a book. In order to share the stories of his clients he utilized his knowledge, and that of his team, to teach readers how to protect their retirement savings. In this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we hear how teamwork was used to write and publish David's book - The Investor Protector. Learn more about Scribe Media InvestorClaims.com BrokerCheck.org TheAuthorInsideYou.com/publish

Does your manuscript need a second look? Jyotsna Sreenivasan has written several published books and reminds us on this episode of The Author Inside You, that it's important to have a support group. Friends, other authors, or a writer's group who can give you honest feedback on your manuscript are vital before submitting your book to a literary agent or publisher. Do you have a support group? Check out this episode as Jyotsna gives us some useful tips on finding feedback. These Americans available at bookshop.org SecondGenStories.com Need help ghostwriting or promoting your book? Visit our friends at Scribe Media (affiliate link)

Does your manuscript need a second look? Jyotsna Sreenivasan has written several published books and reminds us on this episode of The Author Inside You, that it's important to have a support group. Friends, other authors, or a writer's group who can give you honest feedback on your manuscript are vital before submitting your book to a literary agent or publisher. Do you have a support group? Check out this episode as Jyotsna gives us some useful tips on finding feedback. These Americans available at bookshop.org SecondGenStories.com Need help ghostwriting or promoting your book? Visit our friends at Scribe Media (affiliate link)

Have you ever wondered about the best way to get your book onto the shelves of a bookstore? On this episode of The Author Inside You we interview Kate Schlademan, the owner of the Learned Owl bookstore, an independent business located in our hometown. If your goal is to have your book in a bookstore, then this episode is for you! We discuss the best way to approach a bookstore to land your book on the shelves, best practices for book signings, and the importance of your book spine design.  Kate's bookstore: LearnedOwl.com Special thanks to PodPoluli for letting us use their studios to record this interview. If you are able, please donate to Hudson Special Olympics.

Have you ever wondered about the best way to get your book onto the shelves of a bookstore? On this episode of The Author Inside You we interview Kate Schlademan, the owner of the Learned Owl bookstore, an independent business located in our hometown. If your goal is to have your book in a bookstore, then this episode is for you! We discuss the best way to approach a bookstore to land your book on the shelves, best practices for book signings, and the importance of your book spine design.  Kate's bookstore: LearnedOwl.com Special thanks to PodPoluli for letting us use their studios to record this interview. If you are able, please donate to Hudson Special Olympics.

It's not uncommon for writers to dream about having their own agent help sell their manuscript to a big publishing house. What is the best way to find an agent for your book? On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, we interview literary agent Lucinda Halpern who shares great advice on how to find a book agent and what you can expect them to do for you. Ready to get your book noticed? Get Lucinda's essential guide for writers: The 6 Things Every Book Pitch Needs – Click here to receive your guide: www.lucindaliterary.com/subscribe Twitter: @LucindaBluFacebook: @LucindaLiterary  Instagram: @lucindaliteraryLinkedIn: @LucindaHalpern   -transcription- Announcer: [00:00:04] You're listening to the author Inside You podcast, a weekly podcast designed to motivate you to finish writing a book. Choose a publisher and build an audience. Keep listening if you're looking to get propelled into the next chapter of your life. And now it's the author Inside You podcast.   Matt Rafferty: [00:00:23] Hello, I'm Matt Rafferty.   Leah Rafferty: [00:00:24] And I'm Leah Rafferty.   Matt Rafferty: [00:00:25] A special thanks to you for listening to our podcast and helping us spread the word. It's working. And more and more people are listening to the author inside you.   Leah Rafferty: [00:00:34] And also, thank you to our listeners, Neil Heslin and David, who specifically asked if we could do a few interviews with people who work in the book publishing business, such as agents, bookstore owners and independent publishers.   Matt Rafferty: [00:00:49] Well, this episode begins our mini series Inside the Book Industry today. Our guest is Lucinda Halpern, president of Lucinda Literary, a consulting agency dedicated to representing and publicizing authors with specific expertise in new media. Welcome, Lucinda. Thanks for joining us today.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:01:09] Thank you. Happy to be here.   Leah Rafferty: [00:01:11] Well, Lucinda, I see that you worked for HarperCollins in Scholastic magazines. How did these experiences lead you to become an entrepreneur?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:01:20] So I'd always been interested in working with authors and working on books like so many people who enter publishing. I was an aspiring author and creative writer and I had to get my foot in the door somehow. Right. It's a it's a small world in inner circle. And so I took the job that was offered to me, which was a publicity assistant at HarperCollins, and I parlayed that when I left into a marketing role at Scholastic. And in those days, which was now about 15 years ago, online, was really just sort of burgeoning for authors. So online marketing newsletters, websites, the blogosphere, the Twitter sphere. And so I had to just jump in and learn very   Leah Rafferty: [00:02:10] Quickly an exciting time, I would think I   Lucinda Halpern: [00:02:12] Was. It was an exciting time. And then I thought, how can I marry these new skills with my deep passion of nurturing the careers of authors and being editorially involved from the ground floor up. So I thought there has to be a job that does this right. And there was it was it was becoming a literary agent. The problem was I had no list. I had no revenue to guarantee any New York literary agency. So I knocked on every door and I found the person who would take me on as sort of an unknown and give me a letterhead and give me a desk and let me make phone calls and use the agency name. And I am forever indebted to my boss who allowed me to do that. And through working at that agency, I worked with Gretchen Rubin of the Happiness Project and a number of other of their marquee authors. And I started I started my agency when I was twenty seven years old. Wow, that's really cool. Yeah, it's been a wonderful experience where, you know, we're now in our 11th year and we've been innovating all along the way, trying to service our authors and, you know, in the best way possible. So it's been it's been a really rewarding experience.   Leah Rafferty: [00:03:27] Well, congratulations. First, I just having a business and having it succeed for 11 years is wonderful. And then also as a woman, that's just wonderful. So thank you. Very good to hear.   Matt Rafferty: [00:03:41] Well, I think the big question that our fan base is probably wondering is how do I get connected to an agent?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:03:48] So, you know, as I said, it is it's a tightly knit world and it does often take an insider connection. So what I always recommend is find the person you know who is a published author. And it doesn't matter if you are writing fiction and the person you know has published a memoir, can you get any connection to a publishing insider or agent or editor and have that person give you something of a plan? So I'm more personally a fan of that networking than I am going to the Internet and sort of Googling how to get an agent and looking at all kinds of resources that exist often with confusing, conflicting wisdom. So, you know, that's that's always the first way to go. But if you don't have access to that network or great idea whether you're a fiction or non-fiction writer is to establish any kind of audience online. And that could be from a social media audience to writing an article that gets picked up and, you know, in Forbes or in Refinery or Huffington Post or, you know, like Pie in the Sky. New York Times. Because agents and publishers are looking at the media constantly and we're looking for new voices and we're looking for exciting stories and we're looking for a fresh point of view. And so if your story gets traction in the media, you've now elevated your chances of getting published. So, you know, those are a couple of ways. Of course, there used to be in person conferences to attend, and I think those will start up again soon. So there are a number of ways, but I'd say I'd almost try those three before going about blind queering agents that you find on query tracker, dot net, you know.   Matt Rafferty: [00:05:43] So I think those are three good things. Go out in and find somebody who's done it before and then try to get some traction online and go to in-person events. I think those are all great ideas.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:05:55] And I'll give a fourth resource, which is Publishers Marketplace is the industry database. So we all use that to find it offers direct contacts to emails that you might be interested in connecting with, to editors, to publishers, scouts. And, you know, it's a paid subscription, but it's a nominal fee. It gives you a free daily newsletter that you can you can see what is selling in the marketplace. You can write that agent that day and say, I saw you sold X, Y, Z, and I'm actually writing a novel that reminds me a lot of, you know, of something on your list that I've read. So you can you can make those more personal, tailored introductions that can go such a long way in.   Leah Rafferty: [00:06:36] The agents will respond back.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:06:38] Well, you know, you're talking to a different kind of agent, right? I literally we pride ourselves on being responsive and, you know, sort of guiding writers through this process. And we've developed a whole sort of coaching and course offering around that. So it isn't you know, it isn't every agent that's going to respond. But having a number of agent friends, I can tell you that when they get the letter that says, you know, dear David, I saw that you represent Peter Sellers, the dog stars. And this book changed my life. And so I'm reaching out to you because, you know, that agent will read will read the query letter. It will get to that person and it will be meaningful. And, you know, it just enhances your opportunities for response and success.   Matt Rafferty: [00:07:27] Well, speaking of query letters, like what what sort of mistakes do people do when they write a query letter?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:07:33] So I'm smiling because this is one of my favorite questions. And and again, because I think there is so much bad wisdom out there. And so, you know, so we we have a few sort of myth busting insights to give on this topic. And one is that we care who you are. We care who you are as an author. So don't start with, you know, dear so-and-so. My book is it's like I want to know who you are, sort of the inspiration for your writing this, which is usually about the audience that supports it, you know, fiction or non. So to use a fictional example, if you've written a popular story, whether it's a short story or whether it's won an award or whether it's for a major media platform, and you say that you've had a response and engagement around this. Now you've told me why I should get interested in what you're about to present. So the first thing for us is we want a sense of who you are. So the second is hiding information. So if you've self published before or if you are working with an agent currently or you've published, you know, traditionally before, these are facts that we want to know because the first thing that any agent or editor is going to do upon receiving a submission they're actually interested in is Google you.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:08:50] And so if you're hiding really pertinent information to your submission, like the fact that you've already published a book, then then it's kind of a red flag. Right? Or if you're working with an agent who's a close friend of mine and you didn't tell me that you have representation. So again, these are delicate topics. And I completely get where writers are coming from and not wanting to sort of you know, a lot of writers, they cower about writing an agent to say, I self publish this book, but my sales were really pitiful. So instead take a positive spin if self publish this book. But this new idea is poised to do very differently because here's sort of the marketing plan I have for it or the idea's really timely or I didn't have support for my first book. But I you know, I, I plan to find a traditional publisher for this. Whatever your reason is, don't exclude the information, find a way to offer it a positive spin.   Leah Rafferty: [00:09:50] So let's say I have my fiction book and I send it off to you. What happens after I send it into your agency?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:09:58] Sure. So every agency this is also confusing for writers, but every agency. He has particular and specific and different guidelines, so it's for our agency, we're not we're not looking at your entire book upon your submission, through our report. All right. We're looking at a synopsis. We're looking at a partial so, you know, just a few chapters or a book proposal. So once you've hooked us with your letter and we're that early material, then it's usually going through a series of gatekeepers before it's actually getting to an agent. So, you know, literally we have we have interns, we have assistants, and then we have agents who, you know, it has to pass through all of those different doors to get, you know, somewhat someone's attention. And you can imagine that the even bigger agencies, you have to get through even more people. You know, all the more reason why that letter is just so hugely important. And something I always guide writers to do is to express as much urgency as possible in that letter. And I get that that can be tough, right? Like, you don't want to write and write an agent and say, I expect you to call me tomorrow. But but there are ways to suggest that you've got a really hot, timely concept that people that is in demand. And, you know, some of the best ways to do that are to suggest that it's out with a small list of of agents that are eagerly reviewing the material. You've already had requests. A publisher has contacted you. There are ways to sort of hint at that urgency that would make someone want to pick up your submission before someone else's.   Leah Rafferty: [00:11:43] I notice on your website that you have clothes looking for an intern for this year. So I would think since the interns get to read see them letters before anyone else, what an exciting job for them.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:11:57] Yeah.   Leah Rafferty: [00:11:57] So you really have to be careful who you pick. Also, though, they have to kind of think like you.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:12:02] True. That's true. And we, you know, we try to mentor them to to think just as we do and to really study our lists and to understand how we communicate and take pride in our communications with writers. So so, yes, they do have to think like you. But I mean, it's another great hack. If I were if I understood on the writer's side that I was going to first be writing an intern, I might actually research that intern a little bit and make the note more personal and, you know, make it more exciting to the young person who's first reviewing the query. So, again, I think those personal touches and details tend to really matter when you're competing with so many other blind submissions.   Matt Rafferty: [00:12:44] That's interesting. Yeah, great advice. So let's just follow this through a little bit. An intern reads the letter and maybe the submission that came with it, right? Mm hmm. Either a synopsis or maybe a chapter, and then they're excited about it and then they pass it on to the next level. And that person, do they, like, read the entire chapter if there's a chapter?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:13:06] Ok, yeah, they're running it up the flagpole. So, you know, again, something that if we get something that seems right up our alley now in in the world of working from home and using all of these digital systems. Right. It wouldn't be uncommon for some of my office to slack me and say we just received a really exciting query from X, Y, Z. I'm going to email it to right now. Well, now you have my attention, right? So in ways things are moving, actually, I can't speak for other agencies or publishers. I don't actually have the sense that this is happening across the board. But at our agency, things are moving faster than ever now. So. So just to take you through the process, someone more junior might read it might recommend it than I'm looking at it usually nights and weekends, not during office hours. And then I'm getting in touch with the author to sort of call to discuss the material, to share my vision of how, you know, I see the book appealing commercially and maybe any editorial changes that I'd suggest and then see if I have chemistry with that author, because we very much view this as a lifelong marriage and we view a book as nothing short of having a baby. So I know what a precious relationship this is and I know how important, you know, books are. And, you know, you really you're getting into a deep and engaged relationship with someone. So the next step upon reading the material is really talking to the author and making sure that you share a vision.   Leah Rafferty: [00:14:38] I never thought about that. Yes, I guess you would. That like how you said a marriage in the baby. It is a deep relationship. You're right. Yeah, I can see that now. So thank you for explaining that.   Matt Rafferty: [00:14:49] Well, sure. You both have a vested interest in it succeeding, right?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:14:53] Exactly. Yes.   Matt Rafferty: [00:14:55] One of our listeners wrote in and asked a question. David asked what types of book deals are usually only negotiated by agent? And not authors,   Lucinda Halpern: [00:15:04] Definitely deals that are done with the big five houses, but as I'm sure you know and your listeners know, there are a number of really reputable and wonderful independents that also do also offer very sizable book deals. You want an agent? You know, I'm always going to be an advocate for the value that an agent lends to the equation, which I think goes so much more beyond the deal. And the commission. I think it's about the lifetime advocacy for not the not the product, but the author to make sure that that those interests are being served. So to get to get specific about your listeners question, there are publishers that will take a query unsolicited from an author. But if that author then enters into a publishing contract, I recommend that all three gets an attorney know if they're not going to engage in agent, they should absolutely engage a lawyer to review the contract. Sure.   Matt Rafferty: [00:16:07] That makes sense. Sure.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:16:08] Yeah. Yeah, but but any of the major publishers or independent houses are going to sort of require that an agent be involved or they're certainly going to prioritize looking at those submissions that come from agents they trust. So it just it's never a bad thing for an author to work with an agent. It's generally always going to elevate your potential advance as well as your career. Mm hmm.   Leah Rafferty: [00:16:33] Well, it's interesting because, yeah, it sounds like you just circled right back to it's a small world about how you said that they want to work with the agent they know or.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:16:43] Yes, yes, yes. It is so true. And I actually had a question asked the other day that I thought was an interesting one. How do you avoid the conflict of having this publisher relationships, but primarily working for the author? You know, how do you navigate that? And what it comes down to is, you know, ideally you're engaging in an agent who's fair minded and invested in the book. So you're really you are mediating between those different interests toward the same goal. But ultimately, even if there's conflict along the road of publishing, which there can be because it's a long, winding process, publishers are still going to be inclined to work with agents time and time again for their tastes. For first and foremost, if they trust that you're bringing them good material, they're going to keep working with you. Yeah, I mean, it takes it takes time to build these relationships. But once you have them, we care for them. We care for them deeply.   Matt Rafferty: [00:17:40] Right. You don't want to offer something that's not not worthy. Right. Because that doesn't help your reputation any. Exactly. You want a good product to be able to give and you want to help the author come up with more good products after that. Exactly right. All right.   Leah Rafferty: [00:17:53] Does the agent help with the cover, the book in the printing?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:17:57] An agent is there to really guide and strategize on all of those milestones and the process. So what we usually recommend, a publisher will send some cover options for the book. The author will sort of hold, as you know, the moment has arrived and, you know, and it really is something that they actually envisioned and that can be both good or bad. And that's when an agent gets involved and, you know, gets on the phone with the author and says, let's talk about this. You know, how did this depart from your vision? And and then coming back to the publisher in unison to say, here's what we think. You know, here are the tweaks, here's how we pivot. That's where an agent would be involved. So it's not that an agent is coming up with the cover art inspiration. It's more that an agent is a an important part of that title and packaging conversation.   Leah Rafferty: [00:18:52] Ok, kind of like a negotiator, if need be   Lucinda Halpern: [00:18:55] Exact all of all along the path. Yes.   Matt Rafferty: [00:18:58] Ok, so let's talk about time frame. How what kind of a time frame are we talking about from the time that you might receive the first query letter until this lucky author is able to hold their book in their hand?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:19:13] If a novel comes to us and it's really fairly baked and we're just adjusting minimal editorial revisions and then we're sending that to an editor and that editor has minimal revisions. It could be it could be a year or less that you see that out on shelves. So that's for the moment.   Leah Rafferty: [00:19:31] That's pretty quick. Yeah.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:19:33] I mean, I'm thinking of a book that we this is actually a wonderful success story. I love to talk about. A self published author wrote a book called Black Girls Must Be Exhausted, and just through her own efforts on Instagram, started meeting with Book Club. She did like fifty book club appearances during the pandemic. So by the time she approached me, she'd had a number of reviews. She'd had these appearances. You know, she could demonstrate that proof of concept and that sort of proof of hunger from her audience for this book series. So we went and sold it within two weeks to Harper. For for a book deal, you know, and there I'm so psyched for her because she was envisioning self publishing for the rest of her road, but then, you know, I always thought this had potential for a major house, another publisher in that book at the you know, this fall. So that really is a matter of nine months less that we are getting that out to market. But again, the key there being that the editorial product was pretty much there when we sold it. So if you think about non-fiction, you know, it could be up to two and a half years from the time you take a proposal to an agent and get it out on shelves. It could be longer if you don't get an agent, buy in right away. So, yeah, it's a long road, but I think authors are always surprised at how fast it actually feels when they're in the process.   Matt Rafferty: [00:20:54] And the final feeling of being able to hold your book and look at it and say that it's yours.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:20:58] I know. And there's nothing like that, you know.   Matt Rafferty: [00:21:01] So what's your biggest frustration about being an agent?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:21:04] I'll tell you. I'll tell you, it's it's authors who don't have a clear vision of what they want their book to be. I love working with authors who are open minded and collaborative. I think that goes a long way in this process. But if you just don't if you just sort of want to publish a book for the sake of it, we haven't really thought through who your reader is, why that person cares, why they would make that 20 dollar investment, then I can't I can't really help you with that, you know, but you have to have you have to have that undying, unwavering belief in your art and your craft in your vision. And I think that makes things easier along the way, because when you start working with a large team, as you will do the you know, the agent being your first team member, but then it becomes your editor, your art designer, your publicist and everyone else, they're going to be looking to you as the expert on your book and your audience. And so I just think you have to be very clear about your reasons for publishing. It's too tough of a business. Otherwise, sure,   Matt Rafferty: [00:22:11] You need to know your audience. Yeah.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:22:13] So so when you ask what's you know, what's the frustration, it's it's sometimes being in kind of a dance with a prospective writer or a client about, you know, we're still figuring out what this is. And and that's not where I like to be. I like to be working with someone who knows exactly what this is going to be.   Leah Rafferty: [00:22:34] Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. What was it like working on the Happiness Project?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:22:38] I mean, it was it was really exciting. I always say that I'm indebted to Gretchen and to her agent and to her the team of people that I was on for all of the learning and the energy and the excitement that came. I mean, I'll never forget when that hit the New York Times bestseller list. And we all had champagne at the office at 11:00 at night. You know, it was exciting because what she was doing was so revolutionary at the time, using her blog as a mechanism to really understand her readers and engage with them. You know, it it just was so new at the time. And yeah. So so I just think all of it was exciting. And it was also I was very young in publishing. So to be part of that, I was also part of Freakonomics now on. So I started just I was basically just in the mailroom, mailing books, interview requests after interview requests. And I got to know the authors. I got to you know, I got to be a part of that of that success. And so, you know, it never gets old. It never gets old when a book reaches that kind of level of recognition and being a part of the team and the process.   Leah Rafferty: [00:23:50] Sure. And now those books are part of school. You know, school. Yeah. Curriculums. Yeah.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:23:56] Yeah. I'm indebted to those authors, you know, more than than they are to me. Definitely. I mean, they, they were the driving force behind their own success and I just got to learn and be part of it.   Leah Rafferty: [00:24:11] That's wonderful.   Matt Rafferty: [00:24:13] So we'd like to ask authors what their advice is for other people who are writing books about getting their book done or being able to complete it. So I thought it'd be interesting to ask you, what's your best advice for someone who's writing a book right now?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:24:25] I guess I'll give you my my general broad advice would be you keep on a schedule. My most successful authors are definitely have a rigorous kind of discipline to to their work. So if they are unable to have a daily writing practice, they're taking a time. You know, they're taking a month long writer's retreat or week long writer retreat or weekend, you know, whatever time they can allot to really focus and drill down on it. I also am just a huge believer in having a good team. So if you don't have an agent who can be your accountability partner, who can work with you on developing the idea, then can you join a workshop with other writers? Can you be part of a Facebook group or a community? Again, to have that accountability, to have deadlines, to have people supporting your progress? I think those are the best things you can do. And and, you know, I just read Adam grants. Think again the value of having a team of skeptics, of actually not having your mother be your first reader, but having your most skeptical, trusted friend give you the brutal feedback on, you know, on your letter, on your book proposal, on your first chapter, like what are the problems with this? Asking those tough questions is going to serve you because the book by an audience is a skeptical one.   Leah Rafferty: [00:25:43] You need people to tell you the truth. How else are you going to get better? And you can't take anything personal. If you want to succeed, you need to take criticism and learn from it and know that it's given to you to help you succeed. Definitely. Yeah, but some people do have problems with that, right?   Matt Rafferty: [00:26:00] Well, it's interesting. We started off with talking about who, you know, in your community, and then we kind of are wrapping up with who you know in your community and your community help you. So it's really about talking to people and getting to know people and asking for favors.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:26:14] Yes, it is. It is. It's an interesting balance of working in the proverbial ivory tower at your craft and getting out to a network of people you trust to give you tough love and brutal honesty.   Leah Rafferty: [00:26:29] Listen to what's the best way for our listeners to get in touch with you.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:26:33] So, I mean, you can find everything that was simple literary offers on our website, which is W-W Lucindale literary dot com. And yeah, I think you'll find I think your audience will find a number of resources. I can certainly query our agents there. As I said, we have courses, we have regular workshops, we have a speakers bureau. We have all kinds of things to check out. So I hope to see your listeners there.   Leah Rafferty: [00:26:58] When I was checking out your website, it does seem like you have many resources that are very valuable and that people can take advantage of.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:27:06] Thank you so   Leah Rafferty: [00:27:07] Much. Well, thank you for putting it out there. And once again, congratulations on being a successful business woman.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:27:13] Oh, thank you. It's wonderful to talk with you guys.   Matt Rafferty: [00:27:18] I think it was interesting to have Lucinda as an agent give us her perspective on the writing process, so keep those suggestions coming   Leah Rafferty: [00:27:25] And until next time.   Announcer: [00:27:27] Right on. Thank you for listening to the author Inside You podcast with your host, Leah and Matt Raverty.   Matt Rafferty: [00:27:36] This episode is brought to you by audible get a free audio book download and a 30 day free trial at the author Inside You Dotcom Free eBook choose from over one hundred and eighty thousand titles. Go to the author Inside You Dotcom Free eBook.      

It's not uncommon for writers to dream about having their own agent help sell their manuscript to a big publishing house. What is the best way to find an agent for your book? On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, we interview literary agent Lucinda Halpern who shares great advice on how to find a book agent and what you can expect them to do for you. Ready to get your book noticed? Get Lucinda's essential guide for writers: The 6 Things Every Book Pitch Needs – Click here to receive your guide: www.lucindaliterary.com/subscribe Twitter: @LucindaBluFacebook: @LucindaLiterary  Instagram: @lucindaliteraryLinkedIn: @LucindaHalpern   -transcription- Announcer: [00:00:04] You're listening to the author Inside You podcast, a weekly podcast designed to motivate you to finish writing a book. Choose a publisher and build an audience. Keep listening if you're looking to get propelled into the next chapter of your life. And now it's the author Inside You podcast.   Matt Rafferty: [00:00:23] Hello, I'm Matt Rafferty.   Leah Rafferty: [00:00:24] And I'm Leah Rafferty.   Matt Rafferty: [00:00:25] A special thanks to you for listening to our podcast and helping us spread the word. It's working. And more and more people are listening to the author inside you.   Leah Rafferty: [00:00:34] And also, thank you to our listeners, Neil Heslin and David, who specifically asked if we could do a few interviews with people who work in the book publishing business, such as agents, bookstore owners and independent publishers.   Matt Rafferty: [00:00:49] Well, this episode begins our mini series Inside the Book Industry today. Our guest is Lucinda Halpern, president of Lucinda Literary, a consulting agency dedicated to representing and publicizing authors with specific expertise in new media. Welcome, Lucinda. Thanks for joining us today.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:01:09] Thank you. Happy to be here.   Leah Rafferty: [00:01:11] Well, Lucinda, I see that you worked for HarperCollins in Scholastic magazines. How did these experiences lead you to become an entrepreneur?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:01:20] So I'd always been interested in working with authors and working on books like so many people who enter publishing. I was an aspiring author and creative writer and I had to get my foot in the door somehow. Right. It's a it's a small world in inner circle. And so I took the job that was offered to me, which was a publicity assistant at HarperCollins, and I parlayed that when I left into a marketing role at Scholastic. And in those days, which was now about 15 years ago, online, was really just sort of burgeoning for authors. So online marketing newsletters, websites, the blogosphere, the Twitter sphere. And so I had to just jump in and learn very   Leah Rafferty: [00:02:10] Quickly an exciting time, I would think I   Lucinda Halpern: [00:02:12] Was. It was an exciting time. And then I thought, how can I marry these new skills with my deep passion of nurturing the careers of authors and being editorially involved from the ground floor up. So I thought there has to be a job that does this right. And there was it was it was becoming a literary agent. The problem was I had no list. I had no revenue to guarantee any New York literary agency. So I knocked on every door and I found the person who would take me on as sort of an unknown and give me a letterhead and give me a desk and let me make phone calls and use the agency name. And I am forever indebted to my boss who allowed me to do that. And through working at that agency, I worked with Gretchen Rubin of the Happiness Project and a number of other of their marquee authors. And I started I started my agency when I was twenty seven years old. Wow, that's really cool. Yeah, it's been a wonderful experience where, you know, we're now in our 11th year and we've been innovating all along the way, trying to service our authors and, you know, in the best way possible. So it's been it's been a really rewarding experience.   Leah Rafferty: [00:03:27] Well, congratulations. First, I just having a business and having it succeed for 11 years is wonderful. And then also as a woman, that's just wonderful. So thank you. Very good to hear.   Matt Rafferty: [00:03:41] Well, I think the big question that our fan base is probably wondering is how do I get connected to an agent?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:03:48] So, you know, as I said, it is it's a tightly knit world and it does often take an insider connection. So what I always recommend is find the person you know who is a published author. And it doesn't matter if you are writing fiction and the person you know has published a memoir, can you get any connection to a publishing insider or agent or editor and have that person give you something of a plan? So I'm more personally a fan of that networking than I am going to the Internet and sort of Googling how to get an agent and looking at all kinds of resources that exist often with confusing, conflicting wisdom. So, you know, that's that's always the first way to go. But if you don't have access to that network or great idea whether you're a fiction or non-fiction writer is to establish any kind of audience online. And that could be from a social media audience to writing an article that gets picked up and, you know, in Forbes or in Refinery or Huffington Post or, you know, like Pie in the Sky. New York Times. Because agents and publishers are looking at the media constantly and we're looking for new voices and we're looking for exciting stories and we're looking for a fresh point of view. And so if your story gets traction in the media, you've now elevated your chances of getting published. So, you know, those are a couple of ways. Of course, there used to be in person conferences to attend, and I think those will start up again soon. So there are a number of ways, but I'd say I'd almost try those three before going about blind queering agents that you find on query tracker, dot net, you know.   Matt Rafferty: [00:05:43] So I think those are three good things. Go out in and find somebody who's done it before and then try to get some traction online and go to in-person events. I think those are all great ideas.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:05:55] And I'll give a fourth resource, which is Publishers Marketplace is the industry database. So we all use that to find it offers direct contacts to emails that you might be interested in connecting with, to editors, to publishers, scouts. And, you know, it's a paid subscription, but it's a nominal fee. It gives you a free daily newsletter that you can you can see what is selling in the marketplace. You can write that agent that day and say, I saw you sold X, Y, Z, and I'm actually writing a novel that reminds me a lot of, you know, of something on your list that I've read. So you can you can make those more personal, tailored introductions that can go such a long way in.   Leah Rafferty: [00:06:36] The agents will respond back.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:06:38] Well, you know, you're talking to a different kind of agent, right? I literally we pride ourselves on being responsive and, you know, sort of guiding writers through this process. And we've developed a whole sort of coaching and course offering around that. So it isn't you know, it isn't every agent that's going to respond. But having a number of agent friends, I can tell you that when they get the letter that says, you know, dear David, I saw that you represent Peter Sellers, the dog stars. And this book changed my life. And so I'm reaching out to you because, you know, that agent will read will read the query letter. It will get to that person and it will be meaningful. And, you know, it just enhances your opportunities for response and success.   Matt Rafferty: [00:07:27] Well, speaking of query letters, like what what sort of mistakes do people do when they write a query letter?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:07:33] So I'm smiling because this is one of my favorite questions. And and again, because I think there is so much bad wisdom out there. And so, you know, so we we have a few sort of myth busting insights to give on this topic. And one is that we care who you are. We care who you are as an author. So don't start with, you know, dear so-and-so. My book is it's like I want to know who you are, sort of the inspiration for your writing this, which is usually about the audience that supports it, you know, fiction or non. So to use a fictional example, if you've written a popular story, whether it's a short story or whether it's won an award or whether it's for a major media platform, and you say that you've had a response and engagement around this. Now you've told me why I should get interested in what you're about to present. So the first thing for us is we want a sense of who you are. So the second is hiding information. So if you've self published before or if you are working with an agent currently or you've published, you know, traditionally before, these are facts that we want to know because the first thing that any agent or editor is going to do upon receiving a submission they're actually interested in is Google you.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:08:50] And so if you're hiding really pertinent information to your submission, like the fact that you've already published a book, then then it's kind of a red flag. Right? Or if you're working with an agent who's a close friend of mine and you didn't tell me that you have representation. So again, these are delicate topics. And I completely get where writers are coming from and not wanting to sort of you know, a lot of writers, they cower about writing an agent to say, I self publish this book, but my sales were really pitiful. So instead take a positive spin if self publish this book. But this new idea is poised to do very differently because here's sort of the marketing plan I have for it or the idea's really timely or I didn't have support for my first book. But I you know, I, I plan to find a traditional publisher for this. Whatever your reason is, don't exclude the information, find a way to offer it a positive spin.   Leah Rafferty: [00:09:50] So let's say I have my fiction book and I send it off to you. What happens after I send it into your agency?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:09:58] Sure. So every agency this is also confusing for writers, but every agency. He has particular and specific and different guidelines, so it's for our agency, we're not we're not looking at your entire book upon your submission, through our report. All right. We're looking at a synopsis. We're looking at a partial so, you know, just a few chapters or a book proposal. So once you've hooked us with your letter and we're that early material, then it's usually going through a series of gatekeepers before it's actually getting to an agent. So, you know, literally we have we have interns, we have assistants, and then we have agents who, you know, it has to pass through all of those different doors to get, you know, somewhat someone's attention. And you can imagine that the even bigger agencies, you have to get through even more people. You know, all the more reason why that letter is just so hugely important. And something I always guide writers to do is to express as much urgency as possible in that letter. And I get that that can be tough, right? Like, you don't want to write and write an agent and say, I expect you to call me tomorrow. But but there are ways to suggest that you've got a really hot, timely concept that people that is in demand. And, you know, some of the best ways to do that are to suggest that it's out with a small list of of agents that are eagerly reviewing the material. You've already had requests. A publisher has contacted you. There are ways to sort of hint at that urgency that would make someone want to pick up your submission before someone else's.   Leah Rafferty: [00:11:43] I notice on your website that you have clothes looking for an intern for this year. So I would think since the interns get to read see them letters before anyone else, what an exciting job for them.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:11:57] Yeah.   Leah Rafferty: [00:11:57] So you really have to be careful who you pick. Also, though, they have to kind of think like you.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:12:02] True. That's true. And we, you know, we try to mentor them to to think just as we do and to really study our lists and to understand how we communicate and take pride in our communications with writers. So so, yes, they do have to think like you. But I mean, it's another great hack. If I were if I understood on the writer's side that I was going to first be writing an intern, I might actually research that intern a little bit and make the note more personal and, you know, make it more exciting to the young person who's first reviewing the query. So, again, I think those personal touches and details tend to really matter when you're competing with so many other blind submissions.   Matt Rafferty: [00:12:44] That's interesting. Yeah, great advice. So let's just follow this through a little bit. An intern reads the letter and maybe the submission that came with it, right? Mm hmm. Either a synopsis or maybe a chapter, and then they're excited about it and then they pass it on to the next level. And that person, do they, like, read the entire chapter if there's a chapter?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:13:06] Ok, yeah, they're running it up the flagpole. So, you know, again, something that if we get something that seems right up our alley now in in the world of working from home and using all of these digital systems. Right. It wouldn't be uncommon for some of my office to slack me and say we just received a really exciting query from X, Y, Z. I'm going to email it to right now. Well, now you have my attention, right? So in ways things are moving, actually, I can't speak for other agencies or publishers. I don't actually have the sense that this is happening across the board. But at our agency, things are moving faster than ever now. So. So just to take you through the process, someone more junior might read it might recommend it than I'm looking at it usually nights and weekends, not during office hours. And then I'm getting in touch with the author to sort of call to discuss the material, to share my vision of how, you know, I see the book appealing commercially and maybe any editorial changes that I'd suggest and then see if I have chemistry with that author, because we very much view this as a lifelong marriage and we view a book as nothing short of having a baby. So I know what a precious relationship this is and I know how important, you know, books are. And, you know, you really you're getting into a deep and engaged relationship with someone. So the next step upon reading the material is really talking to the author and making sure that you share a vision.   Leah Rafferty: [00:14:38] I never thought about that. Yes, I guess you would. That like how you said a marriage in the baby. It is a deep relationship. You're right. Yeah, I can see that now. So thank you for explaining that.   Matt Rafferty: [00:14:49] Well, sure. You both have a vested interest in it succeeding, right?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:14:53] Exactly. Yes.   Matt Rafferty: [00:14:55] One of our listeners wrote in and asked a question. David asked what types of book deals are usually only negotiated by agent? And not authors,   Lucinda Halpern: [00:15:04] Definitely deals that are done with the big five houses, but as I'm sure you know and your listeners know, there are a number of really reputable and wonderful independents that also do also offer very sizable book deals. You want an agent? You know, I'm always going to be an advocate for the value that an agent lends to the equation, which I think goes so much more beyond the deal. And the commission. I think it's about the lifetime advocacy for not the not the product, but the author to make sure that that those interests are being served. So to get to get specific about your listeners question, there are publishers that will take a query unsolicited from an author. But if that author then enters into a publishing contract, I recommend that all three gets an attorney know if they're not going to engage in agent, they should absolutely engage a lawyer to review the contract. Sure.   Matt Rafferty: [00:16:07] That makes sense. Sure.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:16:08] Yeah. Yeah, but but any of the major publishers or independent houses are going to sort of require that an agent be involved or they're certainly going to prioritize looking at those submissions that come from agents they trust. So it just it's never a bad thing for an author to work with an agent. It's generally always going to elevate your potential advance as well as your career. Mm hmm.   Leah Rafferty: [00:16:33] Well, it's interesting because, yeah, it sounds like you just circled right back to it's a small world about how you said that they want to work with the agent they know or.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:16:43] Yes, yes, yes. It is so true. And I actually had a question asked the other day that I thought was an interesting one. How do you avoid the conflict of having this publisher relationships, but primarily working for the author? You know, how do you navigate that? And what it comes down to is, you know, ideally you're engaging in an agent who's fair minded and invested in the book. So you're really you are mediating between those different interests toward the same goal. But ultimately, even if there's conflict along the road of publishing, which there can be because it's a long, winding process, publishers are still going to be inclined to work with agents time and time again for their tastes. For first and foremost, if they trust that you're bringing them good material, they're going to keep working with you. Yeah, I mean, it takes it takes time to build these relationships. But once you have them, we care for them. We care for them deeply.   Matt Rafferty: [00:17:40] Right. You don't want to offer something that's not not worthy. Right. Because that doesn't help your reputation any. Exactly. You want a good product to be able to give and you want to help the author come up with more good products after that. Exactly right. All right.   Leah Rafferty: [00:17:53] Does the agent help with the cover, the book in the printing?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:17:57] An agent is there to really guide and strategize on all of those milestones and the process. So what we usually recommend, a publisher will send some cover options for the book. The author will sort of hold, as you know, the moment has arrived and, you know, and it really is something that they actually envisioned and that can be both good or bad. And that's when an agent gets involved and, you know, gets on the phone with the author and says, let's talk about this. You know, how did this depart from your vision? And and then coming back to the publisher in unison to say, here's what we think. You know, here are the tweaks, here's how we pivot. That's where an agent would be involved. So it's not that an agent is coming up with the cover art inspiration. It's more that an agent is a an important part of that title and packaging conversation.   Leah Rafferty: [00:18:52] Ok, kind of like a negotiator, if need be   Lucinda Halpern: [00:18:55] Exact all of all along the path. Yes.   Matt Rafferty: [00:18:58] Ok, so let's talk about time frame. How what kind of a time frame are we talking about from the time that you might receive the first query letter until this lucky author is able to hold their book in their hand?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:19:13] If a novel comes to us and it's really fairly baked and we're just adjusting minimal editorial revisions and then we're sending that to an editor and that editor has minimal revisions. It could be it could be a year or less that you see that out on shelves. So that's for the moment.   Leah Rafferty: [00:19:31] That's pretty quick. Yeah.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:19:33] I mean, I'm thinking of a book that we this is actually a wonderful success story. I love to talk about. A self published author wrote a book called Black Girls Must Be Exhausted, and just through her own efforts on Instagram, started meeting with Book Club. She did like fifty book club appearances during the pandemic. So by the time she approached me, she'd had a number of reviews. She'd had these appearances. You know, she could demonstrate that proof of concept and that sort of proof of hunger from her audience for this book series. So we went and sold it within two weeks to Harper. For for a book deal, you know, and there I'm so psyched for her because she was envisioning self publishing for the rest of her road, but then, you know, I always thought this had potential for a major house, another publisher in that book at the you know, this fall. So that really is a matter of nine months less that we are getting that out to market. But again, the key there being that the editorial product was pretty much there when we sold it. So if you think about non-fiction, you know, it could be up to two and a half years from the time you take a proposal to an agent and get it out on shelves. It could be longer if you don't get an agent, buy in right away. So, yeah, it's a long road, but I think authors are always surprised at how fast it actually feels when they're in the process.   Matt Rafferty: [00:20:54] And the final feeling of being able to hold your book and look at it and say that it's yours.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:20:58] I know. And there's nothing like that, you know.   Matt Rafferty: [00:21:01] So what's your biggest frustration about being an agent?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:21:04] I'll tell you. I'll tell you, it's it's authors who don't have a clear vision of what they want their book to be. I love working with authors who are open minded and collaborative. I think that goes a long way in this process. But if you just don't if you just sort of want to publish a book for the sake of it, we haven't really thought through who your reader is, why that person cares, why they would make that 20 dollar investment, then I can't I can't really help you with that, you know, but you have to have you have to have that undying, unwavering belief in your art and your craft in your vision. And I think that makes things easier along the way, because when you start working with a large team, as you will do the you know, the agent being your first team member, but then it becomes your editor, your art designer, your publicist and everyone else, they're going to be looking to you as the expert on your book and your audience. And so I just think you have to be very clear about your reasons for publishing. It's too tough of a business. Otherwise, sure,   Matt Rafferty: [00:22:11] You need to know your audience. Yeah.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:22:13] So so when you ask what's you know, what's the frustration, it's it's sometimes being in kind of a dance with a prospective writer or a client about, you know, we're still figuring out what this is. And and that's not where I like to be. I like to be working with someone who knows exactly what this is going to be.   Leah Rafferty: [00:22:34] Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. What was it like working on the Happiness Project?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:22:38] I mean, it was it was really exciting. I always say that I'm indebted to Gretchen and to her agent and to her the team of people that I was on for all of the learning and the energy and the excitement that came. I mean, I'll never forget when that hit the New York Times bestseller list. And we all had champagne at the office at 11:00 at night. You know, it was exciting because what she was doing was so revolutionary at the time, using her blog as a mechanism to really understand her readers and engage with them. You know, it it just was so new at the time. And yeah. So so I just think all of it was exciting. And it was also I was very young in publishing. So to be part of that, I was also part of Freakonomics now on. So I started just I was basically just in the mailroom, mailing books, interview requests after interview requests. And I got to know the authors. I got to you know, I got to be a part of that of that success. And so, you know, it never gets old. It never gets old when a book reaches that kind of level of recognition and being a part of the team and the process.   Leah Rafferty: [00:23:50] Sure. And now those books are part of school. You know, school. Yeah. Curriculums. Yeah.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:23:56] Yeah. I'm indebted to those authors, you know, more than than they are to me. Definitely. I mean, they, they were the driving force behind their own success and I just got to learn and be part of it.   Leah Rafferty: [00:24:11] That's wonderful.   Matt Rafferty: [00:24:13] So we'd like to ask authors what their advice is for other people who are writing books about getting their book done or being able to complete it. So I thought it'd be interesting to ask you, what's your best advice for someone who's writing a book right now?   Lucinda Halpern: [00:24:25] I guess I'll give you my my general broad advice would be you keep on a schedule. My most successful authors are definitely have a rigorous kind of discipline to to their work. So if they are unable to have a daily writing practice, they're taking a time. You know, they're taking a month long writer's retreat or week long writer retreat or weekend, you know, whatever time they can allot to really focus and drill down on it. I also am just a huge believer in having a good team. So if you don't have an agent who can be your accountability partner, who can work with you on developing the idea, then can you join a workshop with other writers? Can you be part of a Facebook group or a community? Again, to have that accountability, to have deadlines, to have people supporting your progress? I think those are the best things you can do. And and, you know, I just read Adam grants. Think again the value of having a team of skeptics, of actually not having your mother be your first reader, but having your most skeptical, trusted friend give you the brutal feedback on, you know, on your letter, on your book proposal, on your first chapter, like what are the problems with this? Asking those tough questions is going to serve you because the book by an audience is a skeptical one.   Leah Rafferty: [00:25:43] You need people to tell you the truth. How else are you going to get better? And you can't take anything personal. If you want to succeed, you need to take criticism and learn from it and know that it's given to you to help you succeed. Definitely. Yeah, but some people do have problems with that, right?   Matt Rafferty: [00:26:00] Well, it's interesting. We started off with talking about who, you know, in your community, and then we kind of are wrapping up with who you know in your community and your community help you. So it's really about talking to people and getting to know people and asking for favors.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:26:14] Yes, it is. It is. It's an interesting balance of working in the proverbial ivory tower at your craft and getting out to a network of people you trust to give you tough love and brutal honesty.   Leah Rafferty: [00:26:29] Listen to what's the best way for our listeners to get in touch with you.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:26:33] So, I mean, you can find everything that was simple literary offers on our website, which is W-W Lucindale literary dot com. And yeah, I think you'll find I think your audience will find a number of resources. I can certainly query our agents there. As I said, we have courses, we have regular workshops, we have a speakers bureau. We have all kinds of things to check out. So I hope to see your listeners there.   Leah Rafferty: [00:26:58] When I was checking out your website, it does seem like you have many resources that are very valuable and that people can take advantage of.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:27:06] Thank you so   Leah Rafferty: [00:27:07] Much. Well, thank you for putting it out there. And once again, congratulations on being a successful business woman.   Lucinda Halpern: [00:27:13] Oh, thank you. It's wonderful to talk with you guys.   Matt Rafferty: [00:27:18] I think it was interesting to have Lucinda as an agent give us her perspective on the writing process, so keep those suggestions coming   Leah Rafferty: [00:27:25] And until next time.   Announcer: [00:27:27] Right on. Thank you for listening to the author Inside You podcast with your host, Leah and Matt Raverty.   Matt Rafferty: [00:27:36] This episode is brought to you by audible get a free audio book download and a 30 day free trial at the author Inside You Dotcom Free eBook choose from over one hundred and eighty thousand titles. Go to the author Inside You Dotcom Free eBook.      

Are you looking for support and encouragement with your writing? Tonya Todd is our guest on this episode of The Author Inside You and she highly recommends you join a writer's group. You can make new friends, find beta readers, receive critiques, and who knows, maybe even find an editor or publisher!   https://www.mstonyatodd.com/the_author/ https://www.mstonyatodd.com/podcast/ https://hendersonwritersgroup.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/hendersonwritersgroup https://www.meetup.com/  

Are you looking for support and encouragement with your writing? Tonya Todd is our guest on this episode of The Author Inside You and she highly recommends you join a writer's group. You can make new friends, find beta readers, receive critiques, and who knows, maybe even find an editor or publisher!   https://www.mstonyatodd.com/the_author/ https://www.mstonyatodd.com/podcast/ https://hendersonwritersgroup.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/hendersonwritersgroup https://www.meetup.com/  

Every once in a while, you find a book that touches a chord in your heart, one that you want to share with everyone you know. Well, that is exactly what happened with Leah and the book, Black Heroes of the Wild West. On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, we interview James Otis Smith, the author and artist behind this spectacular graphic novel.  Toon Books

Every once in a while, you find a book that touches a chord in your heart, one that you want to share with everyone you know. Well, that is exactly what happened with Leah and the book, Black Heroes of the Wild West. On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, we interview James Otis Smith, the author and artist behind this spectacular graphic novel.  Toon Books

You are never too young to start teaching! Stephanie Wang, a high school student from Texas, recently wrote and illustrated a book designed to educate younger readers on the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, listen to her inspiring interview and learn how she is creating a curriculum based on her book. Stephanie's website Lulu.com Canva.com

You are never too young to start teaching! Stephanie Wang, a high school student from Texas, recently wrote and illustrated a book designed to educate younger readers on the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast, listen to her inspiring interview and learn how she is creating a curriculum based on her book. Stephanie's website Lulu.com Canva.com

Generally, we think of tools being used to aid in manual labor, but tools can also be very effective while writing a book. On this episode of The Author Inside You, we are joined by author Aran Jane who shares with us how he utilizes many different types of tools in his writing process. Plus, he tells us how enlisting in the military at the age of 17, became a great source of material for his books. If you are writing a novel, then this episode is for you! AranJane.com Dramatica.com CardFlow.com  

Generally, we think of tools being used to aid in manual labor, but tools can also be very effective while writing a book. On this episode of The Author Inside You, we are joined by author Aran Jane who shares with us how he utilizes many different types of tools in his writing process. Plus, he tells us how enlisting in the military at the age of 17, became a great source of material for his books. If you are writing a novel, then this episode is for you! AranJane.com Dramatica.com CardFlow.com  

Famous podcaster - and now author - Dave Jackson joins us for this episode of The Author Inside You. Dave shares great advice on how members of your audience can help you pen your book, that you can in turn market to all of your followers. If you already have a tribe, then this interview is for you.  SchoolOfPodcasting.com

Famous podcaster - and now author - Dave Jackson joins us for this episode of The Author Inside You. Dave shares great advice on how members of your audience can help you pen your book, that you can in turn market to all of your followers. If you already have a tribe, then this interview is for you.  SchoolOfPodcasting.com

Author Charles Cassady is fortunate to have a job that has a significant amount of downtime during his shift. Having been a writer for many years, Charles put this spare time to good use and wrote a book while on the clock. That's not all, while at work he taught himself video editing skills and made promotional videos for his books. In this episode of The Author Inside You, Charles shares with us some useful advice about approaching publishing companies and the preparation you need to complete before your first meeting. YouTube.com/user/cassxdy/videos SchifferBooks.com Writer's Market - book

Author Charles Cassady is fortunate to have a job that has a significant amount of downtime during his shift. Having been a writer for many years, Charles put this spare time to good use and wrote a book while on the clock. That's not all, while at work he taught himself video editing skills and made promotional videos for his books. In this episode of The Author Inside You, Charles shares with us some useful advice about approaching publishing companies and the preparation you need to complete before your first meeting. YouTube.com/user/cassxdy/videos SchifferBooks.com Writer's Market - book

Our guest on this episode of The Author Inside You podcast was fortunate enough to be able to take an entire year off of work to concentrate on his writing. Jeffrey K. Walker joins us to share how he used Google Maps, Scrivener, beta readers, and a copy editor to ensure his novels were top notch. We also discuss BookBub, self-publishing, book cover design, and discipline. If you are considering the self publish route, this interview is a must-listen! JeffreykWalker.com bookbub.com

Our guest on this episode of The Author Inside You podcast was fortunate enough to be able to take an entire year off of work to concentrate on his writing. Jeffrey K. Walker joins us to share how he used Google Maps, Scrivener, beta readers, and a copy editor to ensure his novels were top notch. We also discuss BookBub, self-publishing, book cover design, and discipline. If you are considering the self publish route, this interview is a must-listen! JeffreykWalker.com bookbub.com

Rick Terrien began his working career as a kid selling newspapers at a stoplight. Years later his entrepreneurial spirit grew into a weekly blog that eventually became his first book. Ageless Startup: Start a Business At any Age, quickly became a reality thanks to Rick's perseverance and a large publishing company. Listen to this episode of The Author Inside You podcast to hear Rick's advice on the best time to start writing your book. Ageless-Startup.com rick.terrien@gmail.com  

Rick Terrien began his working career as a kid selling newspapers at a stoplight. Years later his entrepreneurial spirit grew into a weekly blog that eventually became his first book. Ageless Startup: Start a Business At any Age, quickly became a reality thanks to Rick's perseverance and a large publishing company. Listen to this episode of The Author Inside You podcast to hear Rick's advice on the best time to start writing your book. Ageless-Startup.com rick.terrien@gmail.com  

Author Melissa Lyons joins us for this episode of The Author Inside You podcast. She shares with us her divine download experience which led to ultimately selling thousands of copies of her book. If you are looking for an economical way to print your book, this episode is for you! melissa@melissa-lyons.com Melissa-Lyons.com alibaba.com Contact print broker Bob Passantino at bobpass@aol.com    

Author Melissa Lyons joins us for this episode of The Author Inside You podcast. She shares with us her divine download experience which led to ultimately selling thousands of copies of her book. If you are looking for an economical way to print your book, this episode is for you! melissa@melissa-lyons.com Melissa-Lyons.com alibaba.com Contact print broker Bob Passantino at bobpass@aol.com    

On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we are joined by author Michael Deeze who reminds us that we all have to believe in ourselves to get over our inferiority complex. Michael also explains how he is using YouTube to strengthen his audience, plus he shares a few tips for working with copy editors. MichaelDeezeBooks.com Facebook.com/MichaelDeezeBooks Michael Deeze YouTube Channel OutskirtsPress.com IndiesUnited.net

On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we are joined by author Michael Deeze who reminds us that we all have to believe in ourselves to get over our inferiority complex. Michael also explains how he is using YouTube to strengthen his audience, plus he shares a few tips for working with copy editors. MichaelDeezeBooks.com Facebook.com/MichaelDeezeBooks Michael Deeze YouTube Channel OutskirtsPress.com IndiesUnited.net

Author Kevin Hofmann joins us on this episode of The Author Inside You podcast to offer suggestions on how to write a memoir. He shares his fascinating interracial adoption story along with how he wrote, finished, and published his book in six months! Kevin is a great guest, and if you ever considered writing a memoir, then this episode is for you! KevinHofmann.com Kevin@growingupblackinwhite.com Free book from Audible

Author Kevin Hofmann joins us on this episode of The Author Inside You podcast to offer suggestions on how to write a memoir. He shares his fascinating interracial adoption story along with how he wrote, finished, and published his book in six months! Kevin is a great guest, and if you ever considered writing a memoir, then this episode is for you! KevinHofmann.com Kevin@growingupblackinwhite.com Free book from Audible

On this episode of The Author Inside You podcast we interview author, teacher, and podcaster Chad Elliot. As an improv teacher to writers, he is the perfect teacher for you. Listen to his stories about having his book read aloud to him, instant feedback from his audience, and keys to storytelling that will captivate your readers.  Contact Chad at seattleimprovclasses.com Podcast: Intriguing Interviews

Audience feedback drives the show. We'd love for you to email us and keep the conversation going! Email thefeed@libsyn.com or call 412–573–1934. We'd love to hear from you! Quick Episode Summary: :07 Intro 1:53 Audio Rockin' Libsyn Podcast: Collected Clan 7:17 How you can be featured by Libsyn! 8:34 PROMO 1: The Author Inside You 9:03 Elsie and Rob Conversation Rob has new AirPods New information for the summary iTunes tag! (description vs summary) Unknown season updates When do you start showing up in the Apple Podcasts Analytics? Big issues with people's iTunes/Apple Podcasts charts - what could be going on? Checking your podcast on Google Podcasts on a desktop It looks like Google Podcasts is going to be transcribing your episodes! 35:21 Audio Feedback from Ron on adding ID3 tags with Audacity and is there anything better? The Blacklist Exposed recently moderated a panel with The Blacklist series creator Jon Bokenkamp! And so much more from them 40:44 Audio Feedback from Shawn about the connections made with our business cards table! How to deal with unusual numbering in Apple Podcasts 49:49 Audio Feedback from Steve: can you shrink your RSS feed? How to make sure that if you replace an episode it updates on Spotify Spotify is still doing some shopping Support Emily Prokop from The Story Behind! Get her to win a Webby! 1:06:14 Audio Feedback from Craig: permalinks The BBC is pulling their content from Google Podcasts 1:17:54 PROMO 2: Beyond Westworld 1:18:43 Audio Feedback from Seniortopia on copyright notices Worst email of the week! Update on Rob's MDrill One Microphone with built in Noise Canceling purchase Finding your stats for your smartphone app 1:31:03 PROMO 3: Suspicious Circumstances Stats, stats, stats! Mean and median numbers Featured Podcast Promos + Audio Audio Rockin' Libsyn Podcasts: Collected Clans Promo 1: The Author Inside You Promo 2: Beyond Westworld Promo 3: Suspicious Circumstances Ron from Ethical & Sustainable Investing News to Profit By! Shawn from The Crushing Debt Podcast Steve from SteveStewart.me Julie from Seniortopia Craig from The Inglespodcast Thank you to Nick from MicMe for our awesome intro! Podcasting Articles and Links mentioned by Rob and Elsie Our SpeakPipe Feedback page! Leave us feedback :) Google Podcasts is available on desktop web with playback and syncing How To Access Hidden Browser Tools In Google Podcasts Spotify to Acquire Parcast, a Premier Podcast Storytelling Studio My Show Isn't Showing Up In Apple Podcasts. Why? Vote for The Story Behind! The end of open: BBC blocks its podcasts on Google Rob on Podlords Episode 3! The article that Elsie is quoted extensively on: Is Podcasting More Diverse Than We Thought? She Podcast LIVE!!! Kickstarter Campaign Directions for checking Google Podcasts on your desktop How to check your show on Google Podcasts if you do not have an Android device. Get your shows Google Podcast link by going to: https://search.google.com/devtools/podcast/preview Put in your RSS feed and get the URL for your show. It will be something like this: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cDovL3RoZWZlZWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D To get the website URL cut “podcasts” from where it was and paste it over “www” https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cDovL3RoZWZlZWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D Where is Libsyn Going? (In Real Life) Proclaim 19 NAB in Las Vegas Outlier Conference in Austin Utah Podcast Summit Military Influencer Conference HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! We'd love it if you could please share #TheFeed with your twitter followers. Click here to post a tweet! If you dug this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and kindly leave us a rating, a review and subscribe! Ways to subscribe to The Feed: The Official Libsyn Podcast Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via RSS You can also subscribe via Stitcher FEEDBACK + PROMOTION You can ask your questions, make comments and create a segment about podcasting for podcasters! Let your voice be heard. Download the FREE The Feed App for iOS and Android (you can send feedback straight from within the app) Call 412 573 1934 Email thefeed@libsyn.com Use our SpeakPipe Page!