Traditional Publication Steps

The Author Agent Collaboration

Andy Ross & Norm Thoeming (writing as August Norman)

Wednesday June 12, 9-11:30 AM, Pacific Ballroom

When the Dream Comes True

This seminar will reveal what agents look for in authors, as well as what authors should look for in agents.

• The traditional publishing submission process: How it works, how long does it take, how you might view rejections

• When you get a deal with a publisher: What should you look for in the contract, advance payments, royalty structure, foreign, film, tv and audio rights, multibook agreements and when should you agree, when should you push back

• Working with an editor: Deadlines, expectations, layout, and when to pushback

• Working with publicity and marketing: Platform expectations, titles, pen names, getting blurbs, rollout schedule, third-party publicist

• And more: Bookstore signings, podcasts, literary associations, conference, author panels, award nominations

• The final push, the big release, and how to make the next dream come true

August Norman’s debut thriller, Come and Get Me - A Caitlin Bergman Novel, was released by Crooked Lane Books in 2019. The second, Sins of the Mother, was released in 2020. He’s an active member of the Mystery Writers of America, the International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime, and regularly attends the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Originally from central Indiana, author August Norman, also known as Norm Thoeming, has called Los Angeles home for two decades, writing for and/or appearing in movies, television, stage productions, web series, and commercial advertising.

Andy Ross opened his literary agency in 2008.  Prior to that, he was the owner of the legendary Cody’s Books in Berkeley for 30 years. His agency represents books in a wide range of non-fiction genres including: narrative non-fiction, science, journalism, history, popular culture, memoir,  and  current events. He also represents literary, commercial, historical, and upmarket women’s fiction, and YA and middle grade fiction. He has participated and taught classes in numerous writers’ conferences including: San Francisco Writers Conference, Kauai Writers Conference, San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference, Nebraska Writers Conference, and more. He has organized and conducted writing intensive workshops with Linda Watanabe McFerrin in Santa Fe, Provence, and in Scotland.