Literary Publicists? - Writers Forum

MissMaria · 08-03-2007, 12:00 PM

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about literary publicists? Are they useful, or just a waste of a lot of money? One in particular, Phenix and Phenix. Has anybody heard of them? Used them?

I'd really appreciate any advice you could give before I sign the check...

thanks!!

Non Serviam · 08-03-2007, 01:24 PM

I can't tell you very much; I've sold books to publishers, but none of them were fiction. If someone who's sold fiction comes along and tells you differently to me, believe them, not me.

Here's the little I know about the subject:

Once you've sold a book to a publisher, the publisher markets it. Sometimes they do that with in-house resources, sometimes they hire an outside firm of literary publicists to do it.

As far as I know it's not usual for the author of a book to have any dealings with the publicist at all.

MissMaria · 08-03-2007, 07:00 PM

It's nonfiction- and it's been published. There was a little falling out with the publisher (a VERY small one) early on, and because of- well, many circumstances- there was no marketing done.

So I geuss I'm really wondering abt the pros and cons of literary publicists- and I want to be sure Phenix&Phenix isn't a scam.

Thanks

mammamaia · 08-03-2007, 07:52 PM

here's the p&e listing [you should always check there first]:

Quote:

Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists : marketing services, both on-line and traditional, for authors.

since there's no warning, it's a legit agency... only you can decide if what they can do for your book is worth the cost...

lin · 08-03-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

since there's no warning, it's a legit agency

Funny line. Since there's no wanted poster, I can trust you.

Agencies like this tend to handle things for those who don't want to do them in house. A lot of publicists get local ink when somebody hits town: actor doing a tour to pimp a movie, Playmate of the Year does the Auto Show and is hoping to get a career out having purchased nice tits, indepdent authors, or somebody with a book out from a NY agency that subs the work out in localities. Set up interviews, radio shows, pass out glossies.

I used to play these guys to keep my rent paid. Or they were playing me. (Or we were teaming up to play the editors and publisher and similar scum)

A national agency would pretty much be a local agency that got big or subcontracts out.

What you are wondering is WHAT can they specifically do to help your sales?

Ideally, if I were you, I'd want to be paying for this on a pretty much week to week basis. If they aren't showing you bites and tear sheets, and your sales aren't spiking where they're working it, cut them off.

Mike C · 08-04-2007, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Funny line. Since there's no wanted poster, I can trust you.

P&E is about as reliable source as you can get. Very few literary scammers or crooks who don't get highlighted there.

As with any venture, caveat emptor. They have a reasonable client list. Have you got a plan from them of what they propose to do for you, with specific targets and outcomes?

As an alternative I can suggest Eileen Cruz Coleman, works in a slightly different way to the above but knows how to generate a buzz. She's also a writer, so understands what writers need, and is also an all round generally cool person.

MissMaria · 08-15-2007, 09:18 PM

Okay, so it SEEMS so be valid...

I have another question- they sent the proposal.

Essentially, they claim that- as the book was released 6 months ago from a small publisher- it will be almost impossible to generate interest for reviews. Thus, the book is a great radio book (which I agree with)

However, they want $12,000 for a month. They will get greater distrubition and people talking about it.. but is it worth it?

Huge thanks for all the help/advice/resources everyones given! It's been more helpful than you can begin to imagine...

lin · 08-15-2007, 10:55 PM

Jesus christ almighty Godfuck in heaven no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Mike C · 08-16-2007, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Jesus christ almighty Godfuck in heaven no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

That seems to cover all the angles...

Time to shop around. There's no way your book can generate $12k a month in royalties, so why would you ever even consider this?

mammamaia · 08-16-2007, 07:04 PM

clearly, 'legit' doesn't necessarily mean 'affordable'... have to ditto the 'angles' covered and wonder along with mike why you'd even have to ask...

lin · 08-17-2007, 03:05 AM

Yeah, so much for "they're not any internet shitlists, so they much be OK".
Twelve grand a MONTH. Were they wearing ski masks?

Mike C · 08-17-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Twelve grand a MONTH.

I'll do it for ten.

lin · 08-17-2007, 12:13 PM

I think it's like the hundred dollar lemonade stand: at $144,000 a year, they only need one chump.

SeattleCPA · 08-17-2007, 04:37 PM

I think the thread has gone off on a tangent, but just fyi when I was publishing books I used to think that John Kramer's book about promoting your book was pretty good. Some of the ideas were pretty stupid (like reverse shoplifting)... but, in fairness, a pretty darn good brainstorm of ideas.

Here's the URL to the newest edition...

1001 Ways to Market Your Books — Sell more books!

Back to revising one of my books. Only 18 more chapters to go... Sigh.

mammamaia · 08-17-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

(like reverse shoplifting)...

hmm-mmm!... brings back memories... i used to do that with some of my essays... made flyers of 'em and left a few each at stop 'n go markets and highway rest stops, as i rv'd all over the us and canada... had done it in my old write-for-money life with business cards and logo'd pens, leaving 'em in hotel lobbies, stores, on trains, etc.... just to get the name/service/work 'out there'...

don't know that i'd call dropping a self-published book in bookstores here and there 'stupid' if all you want is to have people know it exists and don't care if you're giving them away [or leaving them to be tossed]... but expensive, yes!...