How many authors actually get published?

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Welcome to another #AskMeAnything session! In this series, I'm responding to your questions about the publishing industry and how to write a better book. Leave me any additional questions in the comments and I will add them to my list for future videos!

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GREAT BOOKS ABOUT WRITING/PUBLISHING:

SOME OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS:

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MORE BOOK EDITOR Q&As:

RELATED VIDEOS:

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TODAY'S #ASKMEANYTHING :
00:45 - How can you make a character more active?
03:55 - What software do you use for manuscripts?
05:12 - Does being bilingual help you publish?
06:35 - What percentage of authors who agents represent get published?

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ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with nearly a decade of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey—whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.

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MUSIC:
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[Gamble]

I'm one of those authors who was signed by an agent who then was unable to sell my novel to a publisher and I'm here to tell you all, it's really disheartening. You're told over and over again that actually getting an agent is like winning the lottery so when it happens your floating on air. To then not find a publisher is crushing because you thought you were in. And you now have a manuscript that an agent wanted and that you put heart and soul into and it's dead, sitting on your desktop gathering dust. So Alyssa is right, just because an agent signs you doesn't mean you're going to be published...don't get your hopes up too high yet but, if it doesn't happen don't give up either, I didn't feel like writing anything for almost a year afterward but you have to come up with something new and get back in it. One of my wife's favorite authors had five manuscripts rejected before finally getting published and now she's very successful.

[adelaideelfie]

This video just popped up and I eagerly clicked it, half expecting to see Alyssa holding up a magic 8 ball, haha. I know this may sound pompous, or perhaps naive, but I firmly believe my books will get published! I truly do! I remember as a child I'd lunge into a room arms forward in the air as if they were racing my lips to speak. My father and brother would simply stand up and walk out as fast as I burst in, "there she goes, another one of her big ideas..." I was used to it, and really, there just was no containing that little (gigantic) child mind of mine. Life later took over for a bit, or rather a long, long bit. But here I am now, ready to write all those stories percolating inside. Perhaps it is my brain making a mishmash hope and belief, but then again, maybe it isn't.

[grahampowell]

I just want to give love to the couch pillow. Makes me want to get one with my name/side business logo on it. Cool little add in.

[cjpreach]

ALYSSA - Thanks for continuing this AAA segment on your YouTube channel. Always interesting, informative and helpful.

[snowyfictions]

I'm pleased to hear agents appreciate relevant languages to novel projects. My Work In Progress has a heavy emphasis on Latin and Old English - I've studied both and will soon reach a high level. My love of languages has certainly influenced my creative writing.

[absolutelycitron]

This content gets me hyped to start editing again ngl. I was feeling stressed and burned out today, and now im feeling tomorrow Im gonna go ham and edit an entire chapter

[thatguyfromcetialphaV]

Indiana Jones is the perfect example of a listless hero. Everything that happens in Raiders would have happened even if he wasn't there. His only agency is get the Ark, which he didn't need to do.

[samp]

Alyssa, are US literary agents open to accepting 'outside' authors, or not? Im in South Africa and have started sending my ms to a few US literary agents, but wondering if I'm wasting my time? Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. ❤

[benkeafer]

I'm a new writer, who wasn't sure how to publish my book. I tried hybrid publishing companies, and self publishing. So I went self publishing, I would like to go the traditional route with an agent, once I find the right one for my genre.

[maliacortez]

Question for a AAA Wednesday: I'm in the process of querying agents for the first novel in my Upmarket Fiction book series. I'm also a singer/songwriter and I've written songs to go with my books and have even recorded a few of them. I want to release these songs as part of the book purchase. Would this be information an agent would need to know about in the query? I feel that it could be a benefit to my marketability. Am I correct in thinking that? I look forward to hearing your views. Appreciate your channel so much! ❤

[liper]

Allyssa, I recently picked up a book and found the paper used of inferior quality. The pages were thinner and darker, where the ink from the back of the page could be seen through the pages. Just terrible. My question is: is this an indication that the publishing house did not have confidence in the author and decided to go cheap and use inferior quality paper? Thank you in advance for considering my question.

John

[ElizaRad]

I speak several languages, but I'm most comfortable writing in Spanish. I tried writing in English, because I live in the USA, and I think here I'd have more chances to make it as an author. The feedback I received mostly is that it shows that English is not my first language but my stories are very good, and they bet in Spanish they would be awesome. Do you think it's worth it to keep trying to polish my English writing and try to get published in the USA, or keep writing in Spanish where I am building slowly a following of readers? I already selfpublished 3 novels in Spanish.

[wtbwrites]

I hope to one day be published. But I know poetry is a hard sell. I get my validation from when people tell me that my words are powerful or that it made them cry or feel like they just fell in love for the first time.

Self publishing is still fine with me, I want my imagination to spark other's imagination. I just want them to feel, I want them to heal.

Here is to the artists of the world. We will one day be recognized

[authorspotlight]

The fact that an agent shows interest doesn't guarantee immediate publication. It's important to remain cautiously optimistic and not set unrealistically high expectations. If things don't work out, perseverance is key. I'm here and more than willing to assist you if you require any help.

[blackrainxmas]

What kind of camera and mic do you use for your vids? The sound is flawless and the video quality is great! I intend to do some podcasting as part of my marketing, and I know nothing about the equipment

[simsimahmadi]

Thanks Alyssa, and if you feel your agent is not doing a good enough job getting editors/publishers to take on your book, can you just end the contract with them and go to another agent? I imagine there should be a deadline clause in the contract. Of course this is when you really feel they haven't done their best....

[waveworldgeo]

Could you also talk about publishing a non fiction books especially coffee table books? thanks so much

[kylesheumaker]

Alyssa- Thanks sooo much fot this channel. It has been a massive help. I am writing an epic/saga (like Game of Thrones but in a tropical area). I dont think agents will take this on but i dont think i care. It seems to me as a complete outsider, that this is just old school gate keeping. I queried agents but i think self publishing is a better option for me. I just dont see what the traditional route does besides allow for gatekeeping. Am i right or stupid??

[schauzeit]

Hi Alyssa, can you please talk a little bit more about an essay collection as a first book? I've been reading up about it, and I'm getting mixed signals whether one needs an agent for it or not. If one does, what other documents are required for querying - book proposal? comprehensive outline? and a full ms? or a partial/unfinished ms will do? Thank you!

[deathx]

Hello Alyssa thank you for your work. I have a question i wanted to ask for a long time....
A lot of youtubers talks about how to write a query letter, but no one shows us a sample. Can you show us a successful querry letter??