FAQ about working with an agent

What do you charge in the way of commission and fees?

Like most agents, we charge a basic 15% commission on domestic book sales. Commissions on foreign rights, electronic rights, and movie rights are 20% since generally we have to pay subagents to complete these sales.

We do NOT charge reading fees of any kind. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, clients WILL be asked to reimburse NEPA for photocopying proposals, sample text, and manuscripts at the rate of $.08 per page for the client's proposal and sample text. Clients do have the option to make the necessary copies on their own and shipping them to us.

Here is the complete list of what clients are charged for:

1. Photocopying manuscripts and proposals when necessary at $.08 per page

2. Overseas shipments to foreign publishers and co-agents

3. Courier charges above and beyond standard USPS and UPS service

4. Bank charges on foreign check clearance and the like

5. Copies of your books purchased from the publisher when needed to market translation and other sub-rights

6. Other exceptional third-party costs with prior approval of client

What does NEPA do for its commission?

We aggressively try to place your book with a reputable and appropriate publisher. The biggest advantage agents have over writers in marketing a book is that agents are in contact with hundreds of editors and scores of publishing houses. We know who is buying what. We also know how much give there is in their contract terms and have a sense of how far to push them. Once we have an offer and you have accepted it, we will negotiate the best contract terms obtainable from that publisher for your book. Here are some of the other services we provide:

• We work with our own freelance editors that will spend a reasonable amount of time and give you editorial advice to help you perfect your proposal.
• We chase publishers to pay you what they owe you promptly.
• We have a professional bookkeeper examine all royalty statements for accuracy and challenge apparent inaccuracies.
• We can teach you more about the publishing process
• Give our experience on the sales and marketing aspects of publishing, we work with your editor and publisher through the production, marketing and sales phases.
• We solicite subsidiary rights, if they are not granted to the publisher in the contract.
• We mediate disputes between our clients and their publishers.
• We report to you on all submissions of your project.

What shouldn’t I expect you to do for me?

First, we can’t make a publisher buy your book nor can we force it to market your book effectively, although we certainly will press them to do so. Here are a few other things we can’t do: (a) lend you money against future income, (b) rewrite your manuscript or edit it before you submit it to the publisher; (c) act as publicists for your book.

Do I have to sign a written representation agreement?

Yes, you do – and you can read it by clicking right here: Agency Agreement. We believe a written agreement spelling out the terms of representation is in your interest as well as ours. It avoids any misunderstandings down the road.

Do I have to sign the agreement before you will consider my work?

Not at all. We’re more than willing to make a preliminary decision whether or not we would like to represent you before signing the agreement. We’re even willing to offer some editorial advice before then. However, we cannot spend a great deal of time editing your proposal until we have a signed agreement.

How soon will I hear from you after submitting a proposal?

Well, that always depends on our work load, but we make every effort to respond within 3-4 weeks if not sooner. If you haven’t heard from us within that time frame, please let us know.

What are my chances of being taken on as a client?

Let’s put it this way: every year we receive about 6,000 plus queries and submissions from prospective new clients and every year we take on 4-6 new clients. You can improve your chances by sending us a proposal that’s complete, well-thought out, answers all the obvious questions, and is free of typos and spelling errors.

How many clients does NEPA currently represent?

We try to limit our client base to no more than 125 active clients, by which we mean those for whom we have sold a book within the past 2-3 years. We can’t provide good service for more than that number.

Can I submit my book proposal to more than one agent at a time?

Well, since we submit to more than one publisher at a time, it wouldn’t be fair to complain if you do – as long as you tell us that’s the case when you first submit to us, just as we do with publishers. However, bear in mind we’re not prepared to give a lot of editorial advice before we have a signed agreement.

Once I’ve signed the agreement can I submit my book to editors on my own?

This is a no-no. For as long as the agreement is in effect, NEPA will be your exclusive agent. And this generally applies to all your book-length works. Here are three good reasons why: (1) Many book contracts have option clauses giving the publisher the right for a first look at your next book proposal; (2) You might submit a proposal to the same publishers we’re submitting to or visa versa, which would embarrass the editor, you and us; (3) Agents represent clients, not single works. Occasionally we will make a very specific exception to this rule. For example, we might give an academic author the right to represent his or her own textbook proposal since we don’t handle textbooks. If you have any doubts about this, ask us first.

What if I’ve already submitted my book to a few publishers?

That’s okay as long as you tell us up front where it was submitted and what the outcome was. Once you’ve signed the agreement, however, we have the right to negotiate the contract and take our commission even if you made the original submission.

Can I terminate the agency agreement?

The agreement is for a minimum term of six months. Legally, you can terminate it with 60 days notice prior to the end of any six-month term. However, unless we’re in the midst of selling a project for a client, there’s no reason for us to enforce the notice period and we don’t. POPAgency, like all agents, retains its right to a commission on all income produced by any book it has sold for the life of that book, even if the author is no longer a client.

Can I submit a proposal by eMail?

Yes, but you must also submit a submission questionnaire along with your manuscript.

Will you read my novel?

Well, that depends. We will read your query. If we like what we read, we may move forward and begin reading your novel. We will keep reading until we decide we don't want to read more, or represent your work. Fiction is SOOOOO subjective. You might have just written the next giant bestseller, but we simply may not like the style. Our loss. But we are in the business, so we will read your novel...if we like it.

How do I know if the NEPA is the right agency for me?

The most important questions to ask yourself about any agency are: Does it represent books similar to mine? What’s the agency’s sales track record? Do I feel comfortable with the feedback I get from the agency? Does the agency adhere to high ethical standards? Do its business practices and contacts seem professional? Do I get along with the people at the agency? Does the chemistry seem right? Does the agency give me prompt and courteous service?

If the NEPA is not the right agency for my work, can you recommend another?

There are several excellent sources of information about agents. First, try the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) web site. There you’ll find a listing of all member agents. Membership in the AAR requires that an agent or agency sell a certain minimum number of titles and acceptance of the AAR’s Canon of Ethics. Of course, there are many fine and ethical agents who are not members. Second, try Jeff Herman’s Writer’s Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, which you can order by clicking on the title. It contains detailed descriptive listings for each agent included. Literary Market Place and Writer’s Market are other good sources of information, although their listings are more abbreviated.