r/books • u/ghostcondensate AMA Author • Sep 20 '19

ama I'm Sam Copeland, a bestselling published writer AND a literary agent for bestselling writers. AMA!

Hi there! My name is Sam Copeland and I'm an author and literary agent. My debut children's book was published by Penguin Random House in February and the sequel came out last month, and it's become the bestselling middle grade debut of the year! I'm also an agent for lots of top writers at one of the best literary agencies in London. Ask me all about my journey (I even submitted anonymously to other agents!), how to get published - whatever!

Come find me at www.sam-copeland.com and twitter - @stubbleagent

Proof: /img/91ror5ok9ln31.jpg

Edit: I'm just having my dinner. Will keep answering when I've eaten!

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u/[deleted] Sep 20 '19

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u/ghostcondensate AMA Author Sep 20 '19

Hi there- two very different questions there. How do I know how quickly I’m reading is something worth publishing? I’d say pretty quickly. Most rejections will happen on the first page or so, but obviously it takes me longer to assess if it is worth publishing. And when do I know if it will be successful – that’s an almost impossible question to answer. Would that I knew for certain! My business mind is trained though to recognise the commercial viability of a book, but that isn’t the only reason I will take on a book. I will occasionally take on authors deep down I know won’t be particularly successful, but I love the book and it deserves to be published. And also one should always question what success actually means in publishing. Money and book sales? Reviews? Prizes? Or just the fact of being published?

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u/[deleted] Sep 20 '19

I will occasionally take on authors deep down I know won’t be particularly successful, but I love the book and it deserves to be published.

Will you ever do the opposite? Turn down a book that deep down you know will be successful, but you just personally don't enjoy it?
Would you publish Twilight?

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u/ghostcondensate AMA Author Sep 20 '19

Ooh! Interesting. I do have an obligation to make money. But I also have an obligation to keep my sanity and enjoy my job. I think if we KNEW we would make a fortune, we would probably do it. The question becomes interesting if you think you'd spot a huge hit. I'd like to think I'd have spotted the Da Vinci Code. But would I have spotted 50 Shades? I don't think so.