EFC17-002 Joshua Bilmes [31:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5)

2nd of the 3 interviews recorded at Archon 31.

Show Notes

Joshua Bilmes, proprietor of Jabberwockey Literary Agency, http://www.awfulagent.com/.

What brings him to Archon 31 (aka 9th NASFIC, aka Tuckercon)

Visits lots of bookstores

Fairview Heights Borders one of the best in the nation for science fiction & fantasy

How he became an agent

Stan Schmidt and Betsy Mitchell were instrumental

had no grand plan to be an agent but had the connections to get him started.

last nights panel: Here Comes the Pitch
What to do when an aspiring author has that manuscript

It isn’t just what you know. It’s who you know.

going to cons to meet other authors, editors, agents and going towriters conferences too

Why does an author need an agent?

Needs a good agent. Bad agent can cause more harm.

Some publishers don’t look at unsolicited manuscripts. Helps author get thru doors
Agent more attuned to what editor, publisher needs.
Agents are familiar w/ ins and outs of contracts.

An agent wants to build a lasting relationship. Can be like a marriage

Some of the most successful authors have had the same agents for decades

Has an impressive stable of authors
Host has met a few:

Elizabeth Moon
John Hemry
John Moore
Alexis Glynn Latner

Books coming out

During the week of Archon 31 (out now)

Brandon Sandernon’s Mistborn

Violette Malan Sleeping God (trade paper) Mirror Prince (mass market)

Steve Mancino (Joshua’s agent partner)

Kat Richardson’s Poltergeist

Future books Fall 2007 and 2008

Simon Green The Unnatural Inquirer: A Novel of The Nightside (1st hardcover)

Charlaine Harris 8th Sookie Stackhouse novel

Tanya Huff bloodties

biggest success selling a first novelist
peter bret del rey title 1st

Elizabeths Moon’s final book in the Vatta’s War Saga Victory Conditions will be out February 2008. She turned in the final manuscript just before Archon 31.

Hasn’t seen a lot of changes in the publishing industry

Has seen a lot of changes in the retail side. Mid-80’s lots of mall stores. Now lots of superstores

You can’t stumble across a book anymore. You have to go to a big store with intent to buy bookLots of changes in distribution to non-book stores: pharmacies, grocery stores, etc. Fewer distributors. Less variety.

Word of mouth is important
Joshua encourage clients to get out and meet people.

I mention podcasts have changed my non-fiction buying habits These are usually radio shows released as podcasts. And I hope podcasts will help change fiction buying habits.There are more outlets for book reviews available now, especially on the Internet.

Such as Sci Fi Weekly

I mentioned I interviewed TM Wagner of http://sfreviews.net/

Joshua’s recommended websites for SF publishing news

http://www.sfscope.com
http://www.locusmag.com

andrew wheeler at comicmix.com

Wants query letters on a piece of paper

Commandments when talking/writing to an agent