Lit Match

Kate McKean ON: Demystifying Book Publishing Contracts


Listen Later

Take out your notepads!

Abigail sits down with literary agent Kate McKean for a very special conversation about book publishing contracts. This is a topic that intimidated Abigail early in her career—as it does many writers who are interested in traditional publishing. It's also extremely important for writers to understand what makes a good deal, and who better to learn from than an expert agent with over 17 years experience. 

Kate has worked as a literary agent at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency since 2006, where she's built a diverse client list from New York Times best selling internet sensations like I Can Has Cheezburger to beloved humorist and short story writer Daniel M. Lavery to New York Times best selling YA horror writer Madeleine Roux. 

Kate is also an adjunct professor at New York University in the School of Professional Studies and a writer herself (rep. by Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret).

Her ability to talk about complicated topics like publishing contracts in layman's terms is a testament to her teaching abilities and strong communication skills. Some of the key topics in this discussion include: 

  • Contract misconceptions and what to really expect
  • What makes a good deal and what are red flags in contracts
  • Money, rights, and what happens if something goes wrong
  • Payout structures (how writers get paid)
  • General thought process about negotiations
  • Why you should always ask for more
  • Plus, more! 
  • Does Kate sound like the ideal literary agent for you? Send her your query! 

    • Kate's Full MSWL: Review it here
    • Learn more about HML: Visit their website  
    • Read Kate's article on Catapult: "Book Contracts: Let's Talk Rights" 
    • Sign up for Kate's informative email list! >> Enroll here

        

      Follow Abigail and Kate:

      Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.katemckean.com/  

      IG: @abigailkperry | @kate_mckean

      X: @abigailkperry | @kate_mckean

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      Lit MatchBy Abigail K. Perry

      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9

      4.9

      57 ratings


      More shows like Lit Match

      View all
      The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

      The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

      608 Listeners

      Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

      Helping Writers Become Authors

      963 Listeners

      The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid

      The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

      207 Listeners

      Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

      Writing Excuses

      1,286 Listeners

      The Manuscript Academy by #MSWL

      The Manuscript Academy

      295 Listeners

      Writer's Routine by Dan Simpson

      Writer's Routine

      292 Listeners

      Sarah's Bookshelves Live by Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves

      Sarah's Bookshelves Live

      745 Listeners

      Fiction Writing Made Easy by Savannah Gilbo

      Fiction Writing Made Easy

      1,365 Listeners

      The First Draft Club by By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

      The First Draft Club

      107 Listeners

      The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

      The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

      720 Listeners

      Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

      Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

      360 Listeners

      Writers on Writing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

      Writers on Writing

      59 Listeners

      Story Magic by Golden May

      Story Magic

      33 Listeners

      Steps to Story by Nicole Meier

      Steps to Story

      39 Listeners

      No Write Way with V. E. Schwab by V. E. Schwab (Author)

      No Write Way with V. E. Schwab

      44 Listeners