Do agents care about e-publishing creds?

The Otter · May 18, 2011

I wasn't sure if this would be better addressed to the "Ask the Agent" forum or here, but anyway...

If I've published books through a reputable e-publisher, is that something I should mention when querying agents? Since agents focus on selling books to print markets, for the most part, I'm wondering if most of them even care about e-creds; if listing them would help my chances, hurt my chances, or not make a difference.

I've heard differing opinions on this in the past. I'm wondering what folks here think.

scarletpeaches · May 18, 2011

Hmm. I guess it depends on the epublisher. I would say something like, "I've published X-amount of novels [or books] with epublishers such as..." then name the most reputable on your backlist. I see you have an LSB cover as your avatar and I'm told they're one of the big 5.

I don't see what harm it could do as long as it's not a crappy little vanity press, an e-version of Publish America!

To me - bearing in mind I'm not an agent - it says you can deliver to a deadline, and might come with a ready-made readership and online presence.

Erin · May 18, 2011

They probably care about the big guys like EC, Samhain, LSB, Carina, etc. Having said that, the book you're querying is what will ultimately hook them, not your credits. I queried a book with my EC credit in my bio paragraph, and it didn't get me an agent. But I might have gotten a few extra looks by agents because of it. Who knows?

The Otter · May 18, 2011

Thanks, scarlet and Erin.

Good advice.

And yes, my main e-publisher is LSB. For my most recent batch of agent queries I've alternated between mentioning and not mentioning my LSB books, but so far, the two nibbles I've gotten have been from queries that mentioned them.

VoireyLinger · May 18, 2011

Yes, they care. It shows experience in publishing and marketability potential.

It won't 'get' you an agent, your work does that, but it does give them professional background.

mscelina · May 18, 2011

Yes. At last year's RT convention, I specifically asked this question to a panel of highly reputable and sought after agents--all of whom responded that current e-publishing credits from known houses definitely impacted their decision to look at a manuscript. I can also say that my e-published series attracted interest in several agents and agencies, and between that and the online platform I'd developed along with my sales, awards and reviews were a contributing factor in landing the agent I eventually signed with.

"Contributing factor." The book I was querying garnered all the interest, but the e-credits were definitely considered as legitimate publishing credits.

The Otter · May 18, 2011

Thanks, Voirey and mscelina.

Now I'm wishing I'd included the creds with every query letter I sent out. But it's good to know for the future.

KathleenD · May 19, 2011

Just a funny observation - I lurked here for, oh, six months before making an account. In other words, I've got a little under two years of context on this board.

And I can remember when this exact question got answered with "not really."

Now it's "definitely" when it comes to the big names in digital.

What's next?!

The Otter · May 19, 2011

The times, they are a-changin'.

elisadasilva · May 29, 2011

I LOVE your cover. Can you send me a link to where I can buy the book? Who did your cover?

BenPanced · May 29, 2011

KathleenD said:
Just a funny observation - I lurked here for, oh, six months before making an account. In other words, I've got a little under two years of context on this board.

And I can remember when this exact question got answered with "not really."

Now it's "definitely" when it comes to the big names in digital.

What's next?!

With the boom in Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's nook, publishers are suddenly realizing there's a whole new set of rights they can exploit and a whole new bushel of money to be raked in.

scarletpeaches · May 29, 2011

I'm just here to acknowledge the fuzzy wonder of Beep's beard.

BenPanced · May 29, 2011

popmuze · May 29, 2011

elisadasilva said:
Who did your cover?

I'm looking for a cover artist, too? Would you mind sharing how much you paid for that? Unless you did it yourself. In which case, how much would you charge to do mine.

rsullivan9597 · May 31, 2011

popmuze said:
I'm looking for a cover artist, too? Would you mind sharing how much you paid for that? Unless you did it yourself. In which case, how much would you charge to do mine.

Kindle boards has a lot of talented cover artists who work for reasonable prices.

Do agents care about e-publishing creds?

The Otter

Friendly Neighborhood Mustelid

scarletpeaches

Erin

Listening to my other selves

The Otter

Friendly Neighborhood Mustelid

VoireyLinger

Angel Wing Fetish

mscelina

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

The Otter

Friendly Neighborhood Mustelid

KathleenD

New kid, but no need to be gentle.

The Otter

Friendly Neighborhood Mustelid

elisadasilva

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

scarletpeaches

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

popmuze

Last of a Dying Breed

rsullivan9597