Best of Ask the Agent: Books in the Time of Corona
Plus resources for the quarantined, and a virtual trip for the tastebuds!
Hi, and welcome to another edition of “Best of Ask the Agent: The Newsletter.” The topic on everyone’s mind at the moment is, of course, coronavirus/COVID-19, and the various changes we are all going through as a society because of it. I’ve linked some resources below for those of you who might be suddenly in charge of creating interesting lesson plans for stuck-at-home kiddos, some possible inspiration for anxious writers, and of course, I tackle your burning questions about how the virus might affect publishing. Be sure to read all the way to the end for an eyeful of a book I’m VERY excited about.
As always, if you want to ask questions, you can do so on the #AskAgent Tumblr.
Valuable Links
Scholastic has a free “Learn at Home” program — it’s a great site for parents whose kids are all-of-a-sudden home from school, from Pre-K through grade 6+
Speaking of interesting resources: Kate Messner has created an awesome library of author-led readings and mini-lessons related to their books — think writing prompts, art workshops, history tidbits, STEM subjects… and more are being added every day, check it out!
Here’s a calendar of LIVE READINGS from some of your favorite authors — you can get more info like this on twitter under the hashtag #KidLitQuarantine
Here’s a great twitter thread from my colleague Kathleen Rushall about being proactive and managing anxiety… while also potentially helping people find and use your book! Click the link or the image below for the whole thread.
Best of Ask the Agent: Books in the Time of Corona
I should note that I received most of these questions a week or several days ago. I’ve updated my answers in some cases, so they might differ from what was posted on the Tumblr.
“... so is coronavirus affecting the publishing industry :/ ?”
Yes, especially in that so many editors live in NYC and typically commute on the subway. Most editors, as of this writing, are working from home for the duration.
What I’m hearing from publishers is that they are conducting “business as usual” — though I am certain we can expect some delays as people get the hang of working remotely, parents are scrambling to pick up their college kids from school or are suddenly beset by small children at home and underfoot, etc. But overall the mood seems fairly upbeat, and editors are tackling the problem with aplomb. There are still meetings happening and deals being done! Really.
It remains to be seen, of course, what the coming days and weeks will bring in terms of both infection and the economy, and what long-term effects this chaotic period will have.
“I have my debut book coming out soon and all my events were canceled due to the coronavirus. I hear that the first weeks' sale numbers are important. Do you think the publishing industry will take that into account if I don't pull in big sales numbers for my first week of sales?”
Yes. Everyone is being affected by this, and everyone understands. This is – very obviously! – far from ideal, on numerous fronts. But it’s not something you can control. So take care of yourself and your family, and try to make this the least of your worries.
“How worried should authors be about books coming out now that will miss exposure at TLA, and all foreign rights fairs? I assume publishers will do what they can to make up some of the business, but there will be missed business/exposure from walk bys etc right? If sales are low on these books, will authors be penalized in any way? (and yes I realize this is trivial compared to a virus killing people) but what do you think? What are you telling your clients?”
As far as foreign rights fairs – well, meetings that could have happened at Bologna, etc, can still happen virtually, and plenty of business gets done via email all year long, so I wouldn’t fret about that too much. (The fact that the economies of many countries will be impacted severely and they won’t be buying in new titles is the bigger worry on the foreign rights front, but I’m not sure that there’s anything we can do to help THAT at the moment, so…)
Missing TLA (and, if this continues, BookExpo, ALA, etc…) definitely sucks. No question. There WILL be lost sales. You can’t get a book into libraries when libraries are closed, for example. We can all expect numbers to take a major hit. But listen, we’ve had crises — 9/11, Katrina, Sandy, recessions, etc — that did affect sales for weeks or months, and publishers don’t “penalize” authors for that — we all just have to roll with it. Everyone (everyone!) is in the same boat. Selling a handful of copies at some event is NOT WORTH getting sick or making anyone else sick - and I’m certain your publisher agrees.
Meantime, there are things you can do to help. Buy books from your favorite bookstores online, if you have the means to. Write reviews of your favorite books. If you have friends with new books coming out in these next weeks or months - preorder them, tweet about them… Let’s use our big imaginations to boost one another’s books from the comfort of our computers. It might feel a little “frivolous” to tweet about books when the world seems to be on fire — but it’s not. It’s actually incredibly necessary to find some light in the darkness and break up the Traumatic News that is feeding into everyone’s brain all the time.
I know we are all stressed out. Please, step away from the news and take moments of calm when you can, and grant yourself the same grace and patience as you do others. Your work is really important -- in fact, it's more important now than ever. Stay safe out there!
Upcoming Release:
¡VAMOS! LET’S GO EAT! by Raúl the Third
Little Lobo is back, and this time he’s going to share his love of food and lucha libre! This second book in the World of Vamos will be here next week, 3/24. You can preorder it from your favorite retailer, or, if you’d like an autographed copy, you can order it from Porter Square Books!
Review Quotes:
★ "The busy pages filled with interesting characters and intriguing bilingual signage make readers wish they could jump into the pages and experience the bustling town.... After enjoying the story, readers will keep going back to savor all the minuscule details. A delectable bilingual experience."-- Kirkus, STARRED review
★ "The vital images, the dazzling colors and light (shout-out to colorist Elaine Bay), and the devotion to Mexican food and eating make this story utterly distinctive--and delicious."--Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
★ "Be prepared to be lost in this book para siempre. Combining two iconic elements of Mexican culture, food trucks and lucha libre, this tale will make readers of all ages hungry for tacos, burritos, and elote (Mexican street corn)--and for more stories set in the inviting, busy town created by Raúl the Third." -- School Library Journal, STARRED review
★ "[A]ll the characters in this diverting adventure are cartoony animals or imaginary creatures, and a straightforward narration is complemented by plenty of comic vignettes.... The busy illustrations are full of context clues and detailed elements. The characters are animated, and the scenes are vibrant with activity and movement--from a very stretchy cheese to a stack of flying tortillas." -- The Horn Book Magazine, STARRED review
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