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1. Question: Could you explain the difference between literary and mainstream?
Answer: To me--and remember, this business is subjective--mainstream is a good commercial novel without specific genre. Literary, again, to me, has a special feel to it. It is more than just commercial...it is a thinking story, like drawing a fine line and stepping over it. Again, remember, subjective, this is purely my take on it.
2. I've read several times that you should have a platform, especially these days. What exactly is a platform?
Answer: A platform is the main thrust of your story. It has to be a very strong reason for the book.
3. Question: Should I get my work copyrighted before sending it out?
Answer: No need. The publisher, when publishing the book will copyright it. If you want to protect your work, then I do have a suggestion. Take your manuscript and mail it to yourself. Certified, return receipt. When you get it back, the return receipt and the manuscript, put all three things, the ms, the certification and the return receipt in a safe place and forget about them. This is one way you have one kind of proof of your work. I would also suggest that you do it as soon as you finish a ms. Not when you are submitting.
4. Question: I'm just wondering if a writer should ever argue with an agent about changes in the manuscript. I like some of his advice, but some I think will change the entire focus of the book.
Answer: Not argue, but certainly discuss. I want my authors to stand up for their work. But if they feel something just has to stand as is, I ask that they change around that area to make that core something more acceptable. Stand up for your book, definitely. But also compromise. Your agent does know what is what.
5. Question: What does a sell-through mean?
Answer: Sell through means the number of books the publisher has sold. For instance, if they print 5,000 copies and have sales of 2,500, their sell through is 50%.
6. Question: Once a publisher has bought the book from an agent, is it good to go, or will the publisher ask for more changes and revisions?
Answer: Oh, you most likely will have revisions. In all the books I have sold over the years, I think maybe about three times the editors actually didn't want anything changed. So, yes, you will most likely get changes, revisions, additions and subtractions.
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