Book World: Behind the Scenes {2}

Hey readers! Ethan here introducing to you a brand new blog series!

Getting a book from a word document and onto the shelves at your local bookstore takes a lot of work and, often, a small army to do it. Many believe that the authors are the only rockstars in the business. After over a year of blogging, I've learned that this simply isn't true. There is an entire community of 'unsung heroes' doing the hard work behind the scenes to get the book ready for our hands!

In this series, I'm honoring those awesome unsung heroes.

Book World: Behind the Scenes will be a weekly post, each Thursday, that will spotlight one awesome individual from the book world. I will not only be spotlighting that person, but also conducting a one-on-one interview with them covering an array of topics such as the current state of the book world, trends they are seeing, and some information about their background in the field.

I think this is an incredible opportunity to show readers and the rest of the bookish community just how much work goes into making a book successful! Let's give those unsung heroes a moment in the spotlight!

Week One: Meet Sarah Negovetich

Coming off such an amazing debut of this series, I can't think of anyone better to follow Marya than the incredible Sarah Negovetich. Any of my 'regulars' will recognize Sarah's name. Sarah is special for more than a few reasons here at One Guy's Guide to Good Reads. On top of being a literary agent, she's also my bookish boss. I intern under Sarah through our work at the Corvisiero Literary Agency. On top of that, Sarah is also the debut author of one of my top reads of 2014, Rite of Rejection! Sarah is just all around awesome. While I first met Sarah through her work as an author, I really grew to love and respect Sarah through her work as a literary agent. She's been such an amazing source of inspiration to me. One of the busiest women I know, Sarah is always on the move. From reading queries, to negotiating contracts for her clients, Sarah Negovetich is truly a jack of all trades! I'm so honored to call her a friend and to host her here today to share her experiences in the book world.

Sarah Negovetich

Sarah Negovetich knows you don't know how to pronounce her name and she's okay with that.

Her first love is Young Adult novels, because at seventeen the world is your oyster. Only oysters are slimy and more than a little salty; it's accurate if not exactly motivational. We should come up with a better cliché.

Sarah divides her time between writing YA books that her husband won’t read and working with amazing authors as an agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Her life’s goal is to be only a mildly embarrassing mom when her kids hit their teens.

FIND SARAH NEGOVETICH

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE

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Interview with Sarah Negovetich

Name: Sarah Negovetich
Location: The stars at night are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas
Book World Occupation: Literary Agent
Years in the Business: 2 1/2
Currently Reading/Last Book You Read: The Saints by Lex Thomas

1. We’ve read your bio, but tell us a little more about yourself and your work within the business. What exactly is your role in helping a book get from a word document and into the reader’s hands?

My part is all the stuff that that falls in the middle of the publishing process that I never even knew existed until I got into publishing. I work with my clients to polish up their manuscripts, give advice on what projects to work on next and provide a sounding board for ideas. After that, I reach out to editors who I think will love the book as much as me and hopefully we find a match.

2. What kind of training do you have? What prepares you for this type of work?

I don’t think anything can really prepare you for becoming an agent. It’s a lot of responsibility to be given charge over someone’s book baby and dreams. There really isn’t a special training course to take to become an agent (I wish there was). I was lucky enough to land an internship and worked my way up from there learning everything I possibly could along the way. The only absolute qualification you need is a true love of books and an understanding of the magic they contain. Everything else can be taught.

3. As a literary agent, you have one of the most important jobs when it comes to the publishing industry. It’s also one of the most misunderstood roles in the book world. Tell us a bit about what an agent is and why having (a good) one is important for both the author and their readers.

I actually think I have one of the smallest roles in publishing. Certainly an author is the most important cog in the engine. I think the easiest way to understand the role of an agent is to imagine we are a compass. We work for our authors and are there to help guide them and their book toward publication. We help keep them on the right path and from getting lost along the way.

There are so many pitfalls that authors can fall into. We point to the new publishers all the time and warn authors to be careful, but even established publishers can trip up an author if they aren’t careful about the contract they sign. A good agent can make sure that an author is getting a fair deal for their work and aren’t agreeing to something that is going to come back and hurt them in the future.

4. Not only are you a literary agent, but last fall you also published your first young adult novel. How has being a published author changed your role in the literary world? Do you see the literary world different now that you’ve seen the author side of things?

I don’t think my role has changed. I’ve always been a writer and I bet you’d find that a lot of agents enjoying writing on the side. We tend to be creative folks. What has changed for me is that I am now able to relate to my authors on a new level. I completely understand the panic that happens a week before publication when you realize that yes, it is too late to make any more changes. I understand the dead weight of that first negative review and manic inducing chaos that is Amazon rankings. I hope that having been on the other side helps me to be more empathetic because I can sincerely say that I completely understand what they are going through during the publication process.

5. As someone in such an important part of the business, I’m sure you see some great and some… not so great, work. What are some of your pet peeves when it comes to publishing? What makes Sarah Negovetich tick?

There isn’t a whole lot that sets me off, however, one mistake will make me write off an author faster than you can name your favorite Harry Potter book: Unprofessionalism. I realize that emotions are high for writers in the query trenches and dreams are on the line. But finding an agent is a career decision, much like applying for a new job. I don’t expect perfection, but I do expect authors who query me to be respectful and take their query seriously. Nothing irritates me more than a query that start “I know you ask for x, y, z, but I decided to ignore that and do my own thing.” You’d be surprised by how many queries I get like that. Those are always automatic rejections for me. I’m only interested in working with authors who understand that while being an author is fun, it is not a game.

6. Publishing, much like the books themselves, goes through phases and trends. What are some of the more common trends we are seeing in the current book market?

One change I’ve noticed lately is that more of the big houses are opening up additional imprints to focus on more specific genres and styles. I think this is great. Books are a growing market and readers have varied tastes. There is a lot more variety coming out now. Publishers are getting a handle on the eBook market and we are seeing more risks taken on books that might not have been considered publishable a few years ago.

7. What advice would you have for an author who is looking for an agent? What criteria do you think is most important when searching? With so many to choose from, how is an author to decide who best to represent their vision?

I advise authors to not get hung up on searching for their perfect agent. Social media can make it feel like we know everything about someone, but that’s just not true. And determining someone’s fit with your manuscript based off a few tweets and blog posts is impossible. Instead, search out agents who are actively looking for manuscripts in your genre and query widely. Once you get further in the process, you can have real conversations with agents about your book and start making decisions off those.

Above all, you need to feel like you can trust your agent. You will be putting your work into their hands and trusting them to find a home. Maybe they will and maybe they won’t, but you need to be able to sleep at night knowing that your agent is doing the best job they can for you.

8. In a world where self-publishing is as easy as uploading a document and hitting that shiny ‘publish’ button, why would you say having an agent is important?

Self-publishing is great, but it isn’t for everyone. It’s a ton (A TON) of work and not something that is a good option for certain types of stories. And even if you are self-publishing, you still may want an agent. I represent a self-published author and focus only on her sub rights. As a self-published author myself, I have an agent and I’m glad I do.

9. As an agent, I know that you read constantly. What are some of your all time favorite reads?

You do realize that asking a question like this is like asking me which of my kids is my favorite. If I’m talking about all-time favorites I have to include the Harry Potter series. I also love 1984 by George Orwell. And I have to mention The Wheel of Time epic fantasy series by Robert Jordan (and finished by Brandon Sanderson when Jordan passed away). There are so many more, but I can’t list them all.

10. Where can we learn more about Sarah Negovetich and her work with the Corvisiero Literary Agency?

You can check out the agency at www.CorvisieroAgency.com. I also blog regularly at www.SarahNegovetich.com. Every Monday I post agency lessons to help authors still out there in the query trenches and post marketing articles twice a week.

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This past week, I had the amazing honor to meet Sarah at UtopYA in Nashville, Tennessee. Sarah and I did a whole lot of bonding with the boss-lady. While we took a few pictures, I haven't the slightest clue where they all are. Unfortunately, all I can find right this moment is this blurry one, but don't worry, I'll add a new one when I can find one!

Sarah Negovetich and Ethan Gregory at the Fourth Annual UtopYAcon Awards

 

Please don't hesitate to check out Sarah's page on the Corvisiero website to learn more about what works she is looking for and her submissions guidelines! Who would want to miss a chance to work with Sarah and her incredibly attractive intern? Exactly. 

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Alright everyone, that's all I have for you on Sarah Negovetich during this week's Book World: Behind the Scenes! I hope you've enjoyed learning a little bit more about some of the BTS work that goes into making our favorite reads awesome! Be sure to join us next week when we meet another amazing industry professional! 

Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

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Are you an author? Do you work with an incredible someone who holds a career in one of the above fields? Are you a blogger who has worked with one? I want to honor those awesome people!

I already have a handful of interested parties lined up, but I'd like to add more. If you would like to nominate someone for a spotlight, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Interested parties are encouraged to fill out the Goodle Doc by clicking here or to contact me (Ethan) directly by shooting an email to OneGuysGuidetoGoodReads@gmail.com.

Google Doc:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YGWFHnUYU2FZ3CnqKU70pmuKk4JaNxKB8CugxHZTn_4/viewform?usp=send_form

I think this is an incredible opportunity to show readers and the rest of the bookish community just how much work goes into making a book successful! Let's give those unsung heroes a moment in the spotlight!

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Wednesdays with #InternEthan {2}

Hey hey everyone! We've reached the halfway point on this week and are headed head first into yet another weekend. The very last weekend before Christmas. I don't know about you guys, but I am so far behind with my Christmas shopping. I've been so busy with work and life stresses that Christmas has been on the back burner in a big way. I hope all of you are gearing up for an awesome Holiday season!

This week in the Intern-world, I learned quite a bit. Sarah threw several manuscripts at me last week so I had lots to keep me busy. (No she didn't actually throw anything at me, merely pushed them into my inbox. LOL) This week was... well... a week of vast variety. I had four manuscripts and they all fell into very different categories: a historic fiction, a middle grade paranormal, a YA supernatural fantasy, and a dark-YA Sci-Fi. What did I learn from all that reading? The next big thing is out there: finding it just isn't as easy as I anticipated.

I have yet to read a manuscript that I absolutely hate. That being said, there are several that I just knew weren't ready for the next stage in their journey to hit the shelves. This is where I fall in. I love what I am doing, seriously love every second of it. It really isn't always easy though. I am but one reader. One male who happens to love reading. Who is to say that I have a good enough opinion to accept or reject a manuscript?

I am super antsy about giving my opinions on books. If you guys read this blog, you will notice that I don't review books I hate. I just won't do it. If I didn't like a book enough to share it with my readers, I'm not going to take the time to write my thoughts on it. That's the mindset I am trying to have with the manuscripts I am reading: if I would review them, it's a yes; if not, it's a no. Sounds simple, right? Wrong.

Let's take "Book A" for instance. "Book A" has a gripping plot, enough emotion to bring Ebenezer Scrooge to tears, and an ending that just so happens to be flat out phenomenal. Seriously one of my favorite reads of the year. But then what? Sure I can shout its' praises from the rooftops, but when push comes to shove: is this novel really the next big thing? Probably not. Did I absolutely love every second of it? Yes. Will the masses enjoy it as much as I did? Who can say. Welcome to my dilemma. This gig, or agency life in general, is all about making decisions that will benefit the literary world as a whole. I can't simple push a book through and say yes because I loved it. I have to look at it honestly and through a different lens. "Who will buy this book?" "What will it take to make this book better?" These are questions I have to ask myself after finishing each manuscript. While it may be the greatest thing I've ever read, if I have even an iota of doubt in me that it can be improved upon, I have to say that. As an intern and as a reader/blogger, I owe it to the author to be completely honest. I hate that it comes down to my special brand of brutal honesty, but sometimes it just has to happen.

Want to hear more about my (awkward) brutal honesty? Go ask Sarah about the time I reviewed one of her early manuscripts... *nervously wipes brow* (I still can't believe I got the gig after that one).

So you see, this interning thing isn't all sunshine and lollipops. In fact, it's scary. Author's bleed their hearts and souls into their manuscripts, imagine taking that emotion and knowing you have to turn them down? It sucks, but honestly, who are we helping if we aren't honest? Nobody, that's who. Poor sales, awful reviews. All of these things make not only the author, but the publishers, agents, editors, etc look bad.

What am I getting at here? If you are not 110% sure that your manuscript is the best that it could possibly be, don't waste your (or my) time by sending it in for agency query. Rejection sucks folks, don't set yourself up for a heartbreak. I don't want to break hearts, but if that's what it takes, I don't care to do it. I've had to break out my brutal honesty a few times in my blogging lifetime (KB Nelson, I'm looking at you!), but sometimes that's what it takes!

I'm also learning to be much more selective and honest with Sarah in my thoughts. The first, and most important, thing Sarah taught me when I started working with her was this: "Don't fight the manuscript." Honestly, that's the single greatest piece of advice I have been given. If I have to force my way through a manuscript, it's automatically going to be a no from me. Why make it more painful than it needs to be. There are plenty of other fish in the sea (aka books in the inbox) to filter through, why should I stress over one?

Another great example. Let's call it "Book B" this time. "Book B" is great. The premise is kind of fun, the writing is fantastic, also it's right up my alley. Sounds like a shoo-in, right? You would think. Only issue: the premise for this story has been done so many times. Not only is it overdone, the entire genre has been monopolized upon by the TV and Film industry. Unfortunately, some things just don't work in books. While they may have worked a century ago, in an age where Hollywood has literally taken over our imaginations, I believe some genres just cannot be written about anymore. You have to think folks, how original is my idea? If I read the first chapter of your manuscript and can already find strong correlations to a half dozen films, you're out. Sorry. "Book B" is great, but if I have to use the phrase "didn't I see the movie?" more than once, we obviously have a problem.

What's the lesson here? Scope out the market. Before you spend MONTHS writing a three hundred page novel, search around and make sure someone else hasn't already done it. Seriously. Also, if it sounds that similar to a Hollywood plot line, there's a good change your subconscious had something to do with that. People, beta readers are so important. Find a writing buddy, have a friend proof read for you. Bounce ideas off your dog, just do something. Don't just write and hope nobody notices that your manuscript reads just like a movie that has been made and rebooted three times since 1933. It just doesn't work. You're setting yourself up for another rejection.

Speaking of rejection, did you guys know that my amazing boss-lady Sarah Negovetich just released her debut novel, Rite of Rejection? Go check it out by clicking here.

Okay guys, I'll get off my soapbox, but as you can see, #InternEthan is learning so much! I am so blessed to be working alongside Sarah. I think we make an awesome team! Also, the group over at #TeamCorvisiero is AWESOME! I can't wait to share more info with you guys. As for now, I've got more reading of my own to do! I'll catch back up with you guys next Wednesday on another awesome edition of Wednesdays with #InternEthan!

Until next time, Happy Reading (and Happy Holidays as well)! Enjoy this banner I made of my fur baby being all kinds of photogenic. Isn't Avi awesome?

-Ethan

Wednesdays with #InternEthan {Week 1}

**REPOSTED FROM FACEBOOK**

Alright everyone I have an announcement to make. I have been keeping this under the radar waiting for the right moment to make it "FBO" but people are starting to find out so I guess it's time to let the world know! As many of you know, I am the site administrator of my own book review website, One Guy's Guide to Good Reads. I have been at this gig for close to eight months now where my life has been completely transformed. I was told for 4 years at Missouri State to "follow my passion" and I would "find my place". I never would have imagined that would come true. While I have several passions, I have found, without doubt, that my truest passion lies within literature. Over the past few months I have been searching for a way to make my love of reading into a career via numerous avenues. I finally got my big break a couple of weeks ago guys. A few of you already know this, but those of you who don't here goes!

As of last week I have been selected as a Literary Intern at the Corvisiero Literary Agency under the guidance of Mrs. Sarah Negovetich! Yes, you read that right, ETHAN IS A LITERARY INTERN! My dreams are coming true folks! While I don't know where this will lead me, I know I am more excited about it than I can say. Mrs. Sarah and the rest of#TeamCorvisiero have been so awesome in welcoming me to the family. Over the course of the foreseeable future, I will be working closely with Sarah and learning the ins and outs of the literary world. Who knows what may happen? It's my goal to work with Sarah to find the "next big thing" in the book world! I know we can do it, she's already shown me some pretty amazing things! I'm still wrapping my mind around all this, but I know my future has taken a step in the right direction!

Before you ask, I will not be moving or going anywhere. I will continue to work my current job and will do this internship remotely on my down time, just as I have the blog. That being said, my blogging will also not be affected by this new position. I will continue to work closely with all my author friends to bring you all the latest and greatest in the books world! Before everyone headed off for their Thanksgiving festivities I just wanted to share with you all one of the many, many new things I have to be thankful for in 2014. I am so honored to have been granted such an incredible opportunity.

I have so many people to thank for this. I just can't list them all here. Special shout outs go to each and every one of you who have helped to make my blog the success it is today. Every morning I wake up and am blown away the the number of page views and comments I receive. To every reader, fellow blogger (The Safe Space too!), and author who has taken a chance on me and my blog: Thank you. From the bottom of my heart! I could have never done any of this without all of your support. Also a special shout out to my 'support staff' for helping me out with all blog-related things. Seriously, thank you to everyone who is helping me achieve my dreams! Also HUGE thanks to Sarah and the team at Corvisiero for taking a chance on me!

I am posting this picture so you guys can see I'm not making this up! They are in the process of updating their website and after its' finished I'll have my own page with my bio and contact info! Woohoo! Seriously, this has been one INCREDIBLE experience and I cannot wait to see where my blogging takes me next!

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Week One Recap:

• This week I had my first official phone conversation with Sarah. Such an awesome lady and I cannot wait to get this business started! Sarah taught me all about the Corvisiero and what is expected out of their interns! She also introduced me to the query box which may or may not have scared me to death.
• Once I get the hang of things, I'll be doing all kinds of things. Reading, reviewing, responding to potential clients, etc how exciting is that? And here I was thinking Literary Agents didn't do anything but get coffee and make copies? :P
• This week Sarah sent me my first set of manuscripts! Talk about intimidating! I have already devoured one and a half of them and I just can't help but think: this is a job? People get PAID to READ? Yes. I've definitely found my future career path! Haha! 
• Just starting out so I haven't done too terribly much yet. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season quickly approaching, I have a lot to do to catch up with all the awesome Agency-related things! Woohoo!
• Sarah and I decided that I will be tweeting my Corvisiero experience under the hashtag '#InternEthan'. Be on the look out for all the awesome Tweets coming your way followers!
• Each week I will be posting a recap here to let you all follow along in my Internship experience! Some weeks may be more active than others, but I'd love to have you all along for the ride. Hang on tight because big things are coming from Ethan! 

Until next time, Happy Reading!