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Obama's agents move into e-publishing

29.06.11 | Graeme Neill

The literary agency representing Barack Obama has become the latest to move into e-book publishing but stresses it is not trying to compete with publishers.

US firm Dystel and Godrich Literary Management (DGLM) also represents cookery writer Prue Leith and the actor Richard Dreyfuss. On its blog, DGLM said: "E-publishing is yet another area in which we can be of service to our clients as literary agents." It said these services include bringing out of print titles back into availability once rights have reverted, and publishing titles it was unable to sell to conventional publishing houses. It will charge a 15% commission in helping them manage the publication process and said it will continue to negotiate any deals in the wake of the e-publishing.

DGLM represents John Locke and J A Konrath, both of whom have had success self-publishing e-books. DGLM stressed it had "no intention" of becoming an e-publisher. It said: "As we said above, we have too much respect for the work that publishers do and too much respect for the work we ourselves do to muddy the waters in such a way."

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By Anon

Wait, what?

They're becoming e-publishers but they're not e-publishers?

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 10:13
By iqbal singh

Ebook Gratuit
very nice, i like it very much. it is full of innovative knowledge. thank you

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 12:25
By David Gaughran

My understanding is that they are offering themselves up as "project managers" for their existing clients who wish to self-publish, and for that optional service they will receive their standard agency fee of 15%.

They are not controlling the rights, they are paid by the author for providing a service, ergo, they are not becoming publishers.

This is radically different to what Ed Victor, Sonia Land, and Scott Waxman are doing with their publishing imprints.

I don't think there is any conflict of interest with what DGLM are proposing, whereas there is a clear conflict with the other model.

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 12:32
By Eddie Schneider

I think the decision to help an author self-publish a book, after failing to place it with a real publisher, is rooted in hubris.

Both Joshua Bilmes and I posted our thoughts on why, at greater length, here: http://t.co/lBdC7A4

Eddie Schneider
VP, JABberwocky Literary Agency

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 22:40
By Anon

Wait, what?

They're becoming e-publishers but they're not e-publishers?

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 10:13
By iqbal singh

Ebook Gratuit
very nice, i like it very much. it is full of innovative knowledge. thank you

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 12:25
By David Gaughran

My understanding is that they are offering themselves up as "project managers" for their existing clients who wish to self-publish, and for that optional service they will receive their standard agency fee of 15%.

They are not controlling the rights, they are paid by the author for providing a service, ergo, they are not becoming publishers.

This is radically different to what Ed Victor, Sonia Land, and Scott Waxman are doing with their publishing imprints.

I don't think there is any conflict of interest with what DGLM are proposing, whereas there is a clear conflict with the other model.

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 12:32
By Eddie Schneider

I think the decision to help an author self-publish a book, after failing to place it with a real publisher, is rooted in hubris.

Both Joshua Bilmes and I posted our thoughts on why, at greater length, here: http://t.co/lBdC7A4

Eddie Schneider
VP, JABberwocky Literary Agency

Wed, 29/06/2011 - 22:40

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