Monday, August 16, 2010

Q&A WITH AGENT ERIC RUBEN & CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!

  
Many thanks to RWANYC member Anne Elizabeth (PULSE OF POWER) for “introducing” us to her agent, Eric Ruben.  Below is a brief look at the job of an agent.  PLUS, Eric has a special submission proposal for all RWANYC members.  Read below. --mcf



Q:   How do you select your clients?

I need to love their writing! I want an enthusiastic writer who enjoys their own work and makes me love it too. If I am going to represent someone, be their champion, then I need to know they are 100% behind what they are doing.  Some of my clients come from referrals either friends telling friends, business contacts, or current clients. With client selection as in agent selection, it’s important that it be a good fit.


Q:   What exactly do you do, and not do, for your clients?

It depends on the client. I have some clients who know exactly where they want their work submitted and they have a whole career plan. For them, I follow their specific wishes. Other clients seek more input or guidance from me to choose publishers, publicity ideas, and seek ways to support and share their talent. As someone with experience in several areas of entertainment beyond publishing, I feel especially qualified to advise clients about opportunities in film, television or other venues. One of my client’s refers to me as the “multi-shop stop” for my ability to take projects into several areas of multimedia.


Q:   Can you represent your client if they write in more than one genre?

Absolutely. It just depends on the genres and their own brand identity. Some authors can cross over effortlessly and others may need to do so under another name. This is like so many things in this business. There are some general rules but there are many more instances where there are no rules at all. The most important thing is that the writing is strong. There’s no point in a client pursuing paranormal because it’s “hot” when they just don’t write it well. But there’s no reason to avoid a genre that others claim is cooling off if a client has a great story, told well and with great characters. I know a writer, not one of my clients, who even after she was told “vampires are over” has a mega-hit book series based on vampires. It’s because the books are great.


Q:   What does an author need to know about the new digital publishing / e-book rights?

That the landscape is changing and they need to make sure that, whoever represents them, they take this into consideration. The technology is evolving so quickly that it’s hard to predict what the industry will look like in only a few years. However, I also think that there’s nothing to be afraid of. People are reading more books than ever, buying more books because of impulse purchases on their e-readers and the price point. People are often afraid of change, but I think that you just need to look at the music industry to see that some artists and companies were flexible and found a way to succeed while others didn’t. Musicians and music companies are still finding ways to make money and get great music to people who want it. I buy more music now than I ever did. ♥


SPECIAL SUBMISSION PROPOSAL:     As a special offer to the RWANYC, members can submit proposals to Eric by email, starting now and up to September 30, 2010. Please make sure submissions include a full manuscript, synopsis, and all your contact information. List RWANYC in the subject line and send to eric@rubenlaw.org.


BIO:     Eric Ruben is an attorney with more than twenty years of experience. He has a B.A. in Political Science from Union College, and a J.D. from Yeshiva University’s Cardozo School of Law. He has been admitted to practice law in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and is a member of the American and New York Bar Associations. He currently represents authors in a variety of genres including romance, erotica, graphic novels, health and cooking, but is open to all genre of story. He is also well known to fans of New York Times best-selling author Suzanne Brockmann as the man who suggested she write a series using Navy SEALs as heroes, thus creating the new genre of romantic military suspense. Eric has had a long career as an award-winning performer and writer, appearing in major motion pictures, television commercials, national print advertising campaigns, and Off-Broadway theatre. This experience gives him a unique perspective that benefits his clients.

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for this great info! I am huge fan of Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series, having read and sold them for RH. I will be sure to submit my work to you this month.

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  2. I'm also a Suzanne Brockmann fan. Thanks for all the information. It certainly rings true to me.

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  3. Wonderful interview, Eric! Thank you so much for sharing with us. I look forward to submitting my work for your perusal :)

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  4. Thanks for the interview Eric and for all the great info.

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  5. Great interview, Eric! Love all the great information. Thanks for joining us.

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  6. Thanks for the information and for the opportunity to submit!

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  7. It's nice to "meet" you, Eric. Thanks for the blog and the chance to submit a manuscript. Elizabeth Palladino

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  8. Thanks so much for joining us today, Eric. I believe we may have met briefly at Lady Jane's. At any rate, I appreciate all the great info.

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  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  10. Thanks everyone for all the thanks and the opportunity to be a part of your great blog. I'm happy to say I've received 3 submissions and I look forward to reading more.

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