Right now there’s some poor soul wondering if the query letter he or she sent to an agent, describing their book project in elevator pitch form, one month ago has been considered yet.
Does he call the agent? He knows from experience that authors should never call agents. That' it’s bad form to call agents unless you are already an existing, money making client.
Said poor soul waits another month, and yet another. Finally, he hears from the agent.
“Please send me thirty pages of the manuscript.”
Poor soul is elated. He got this far. He sends the thirty pages, tells family and friends, and perhaps even posts the news on Facebook. He can just smell the book deal now.
Three more months go buy. Agent says to send the entire manuscript. Poor soul is absolutely over the moon. He sends it. This time is only takes a month for the agent to get back. He wants to represent it.
Poor soul is positively breathless with joy.
Six nail biting months later, the agent calls Poor Soul. They have an offer. It’s for $10,000 by one of the big three’s crime imprints. Now Poor Soul is so giddy and happy, he’s about to explode. He gets the news out on social media, and he becomes a sort of mini-celebrity around town.
A year passes, where Poor Soul has gotten half his advance. Minus agent fee it’s $4,250.00 (he doesn’t bother with paying taxes on this small sum).
Poor Soul seems to have made it, but a funny, sinking feeling suddenly fills him. He can’t possibly live on that kind of money. And yet, his agent told him $10K is an above average deal for 2021.
Oh well, Poor Soul silently whispers to himself while he gets up for work in the morning. I will sell a ton of books and be rich and famous.
Then the magic day comes. The book is released unto the world. What happens? The Big Yawn. Nobody buys the book. Poor Soul not only doesn’t earn out his advance, but the publisher is slow on releasing the rest of his contracted monies.
His editor no longer answers emails. His agent no longer answers phone calls. No other publishers will touch him. He’s damaged goods. What’s worse, his book isn’t even to be found on bookstore shelves anymore since it’s now way past the 6 week selling period.
Of course, the eBook is still available but it’s priced at 12.99 and no one is about to purchase an eBook that expensive unless it’s from Stephen King.
Poor Soul feels like he’s wasted about two full years of his life. He’s no longer a local celebrity and everyone looks upon him with sadness.
He wants to write another book. But what’s the point?
Poor Soul never writes again.
____________________________
Thanks for reading. For a FREE novel, go to WWW.VINZANDRI.COM
You can also pick up The Girl in the Window and The Devil Won’t Have You, two brand new short thrillers!
Grab the brand new release: Desperate Measure: A Short Thriller Collection!