Hi,

I'm new to this forum. I've been offered a one-book deal of £2,000 from an independent publisher but I'm keen to find out whether any other publishers would be interested. Do you think I should go with this publisher or see others would be interested? I know I should be grateful to the publisher, but I would like to explore my options.

My manuscript has been shortlisted for an award. I would like to find an agent as I'm not very good with negotiating things.

What would you do in my situation.

Many thanks

Miss J

I think I would try and find an agent. Send your manuscript out on a mass mailing, explaining in your coving letter that you've been offered a deal and would like representation for the manuscript. You're in a strong position with this offer, and an agent will be best placed to offer you advice about what to do next, and facilitate any further submissions, if that's what you decide to do.

And congratultions on the book deal - that's fab!

Sally

I'd second what Sally says.
I think agents are invaluable, or at least good ones are. They will get you the best deal they can, because it's in their interests too, not only in terms of advance but foreign and TV rights etc.
They're alos fab at playing the middle man if there is any flack with the publisher re editing/covers/titles etc.
HB x

Congratulations! And I agree with the others - find an agent if you possibly can.

And can I suggest that you don't confuse being pleased that a publisher likes your work - which of course you are, hugely - with being grateful. They're taking you on as a business proposition, because they like your work and they think they can sell it. No need to be humble about that.

The only thing that would be unfair to them, I think, would be for you to accept their offer and they start the publishing process, and then for you to bring in an agent who wants to renegotiate everything. But there's absolutely no reason not to say you'll let them know in a week or two.

Good publishers actually prefer authors to have agents. Yes, it usually means the advance is higher, but as Helen says, it actually makes communication better all round.

Emma