GINA PANETTIERI -
TALCOTT NOTCH LITERARY
by Jocelyne Hudson-Brown
by Jocelyne Hudson-Brown
The purpose of this
paper is twofold. It satisfies a class assignment to interview a leader in the
communications industry and it is also my hope that it provides another MACOMM student
with an interest in the literary field some insight into the profession. It
seemed fitting that I do this in print form in opposition to a produced video
piece because the “printed word” putting print to paper, is the truest from of
the literary art form.
Part 1 of the following
interview with Gina Panettieri was conducted on May 25, 2012 at the office of
Talcott Notch Literary in Milford, CT. Part 2 was conducted at 2012 BookExpo America
at the Jacob Javits Convention in New York on June 5th 2012.
Part 1
I met Gina Panettieri
while satisfying a 200 hour internship as part of the MACOMM curriculum. I
found her to be warm, available and just a wealth of information. The following
excerpts are from an interview where she freely answered
questions.
Jocelyne Hudson-Brown - How did you get your start in the business?
Gina Panettieri – My start was not traditional. I was hosting a
writers support group; soon writers began asking for help. I began advocating
for writers, interviewing attorneys, editors, writing letters, just doing it to
be supportive. People began saying “You are good.” I got no pay just
satisfaction. Then someone suggested that I do this for profit. So in 1988 I
said, “You’re right” and I have been going ever since. You must understand when
I first started there were really no internships. People got a job and stayed
for 20 years. Interns have the opportunity to learn a profession and practice
it.
JHB - In these lean times (for your industry) how are you
surviving?
GP
– Good Question. There have been a number of failures. Borders, small
bookstores…they failed to make the transition. This (economy/digital advances)
has challenged everyone. The big change right now is the Amazon dominance. They
are both a selling platform and a publishing platform now, stealing some of the
biggest authors. They (Amazon) have unlimited resources. Publishers now have
the double challenge of the economy and Amazon. Some agencies are now offering
more. They are serving as publishers also publishing to “E” format, doing
editing, providing cover art. Providing more services.
JHB - What adjustments have you made to adapt your work to the
“ digital” way of doing things?
GP
- There is money to be made in digital. Using their (Amazon’s) experience and
knowledge. Joining them makes sense for agencies. An eBook now comes
automatically with print.
JHB – Correct me if I’m wrong. I think no matter the advances
occurring with digital publishing, people still want a real book.
GP
- God yes! They still want to hold it in their hands. I know of one author who has
had 5 books published. The first 4 were digital, the last one in print. She
said the print one was the first one that felt “real”. There is something about
getting that box of books, of seeing it on the shelf. Also, monetary
commissions are greater when a book is taken to print. When a book gets printed
it is a commitment to the author from the publisher. They (the author) get more
support, a real push with regard to marketing and promoting.
JHB - What do you see for the future of your industry?
GP
- Books will survive. Hardcover sales are up. People like books for collecting,
and then there are the coffee table books. Books are beautiful. Also, some books
do not translate well to digital. Picture/Art books, recipe books. Seeing them
on Kindle does not have the same effect.
JHB - What might be considered the downside (negative) of your
profession?
GP
– Commission based income can be a downside. You have to sell (books). Any work
based on sales can be scary. But, if your book just had a big hit you will be
glad not to be on salary. It is not a 9-5 job; you will be reading on evenings
and weekends. About 50-60 hours a week of reading. Clients will want your time.
The hours can be demanding. Then there is travel for conferences. Most
publishing events are held on weekends. If you are a person in demand the
weekend is taken up with conferences, clients, making contacts. It is a
commitment not a Monday-Friday, 9-5. You have to love books, talking about
books, meeting people. It’s an art, it’s terrific.
JHB - Besides the usual “follow your dreams” is there any
advise you could give?
You need to know your market, study it. Subscribing to industry
magazines and journals enables you to make informed decisions. Within them is a
ton a free content. Educate yourself. This is also a profession that requires
“personality”. It is definitely not for
the risk adverse. You cannot be frightened by challenges and you must have
drive and ambition. Know your genre and understand the rules. Study what
successful people in you market have done.
BookExpo America (BEA)
is an annual industry event that features over 1350 exhibitors from all over
the world. They include literary agents, publishers, book dealers, digital
suppliers dealers. Most every major player in the industry is represented. Literary
professionals from all over the world are featured. Included were
representatives from Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Germany among others.
Individual
elements include bloggers conferences, educational seminars, author interviews,
photo ops and autograph sessions and galley giveaways.
The
professionals that attend the event are book publishers, literary agents, teachers,
book buyers for schools and universities, book sellers (store owners),
librarians, anyone who may be responsible for recommending books to be acquired
or purchased. It is not open to the general public.
Product
categories exhibited are adult trade, art/photography/coffee table,
body/mind/spirit, business books, children/young adult trade, cookbooks, drama,
education/how to, environmental/natural world, erotic, foreign language,
gay/lesbian, graphic novels, health medical, history, humor, large print,
literature/poetry, multi-cultural, philosophy, professional educational,
reference, religious, remainders/bargain books, science fiction/fantasy,
scientific/technical/professional, self help/recovery, Spanish books, text
books, travel outdoor recreation, university press, women’s studies/feminist, coloring
books, journals, hobbies and crafts, bookmarks/bookplates, calendars, limited
edition, and stationary.
Representing
the digital domain are exhibits that featured the latest apps,
devices/e-readers/tablets, digital marketing, digital services, eBook
accessories/ eBooks, e-publishing solutions, mobile products and services,
search engines, social media, software development, internet marketing and
sales.
Support
services featured included publicity/promotion, distribution, posters,
inventory control, rights/permissions, retailer supplies/services, music and
audio video.
While
at BEA the interview with Gina Panettieri continues:
JHB - How long have you been
coming to BEA?
GP - This must be I think my tenth year.
JHB – This is my first time
here. So much to see and do, I am very excited and a bit
overwhelmed and over stimulated in a good way. (I consistently overheard this
from other attendees as well.) As a
literary agent with your experience what does the BEA mean to you? For me it is
a total exposure to the industry. What does it do for the more experienced
literary agent?
Gina meets w/author at BEA
GP – It gives me an opportunity
to see what publishers are excited about, what they are promoting, their big
titles. It gives me a chance to speak with other publishing professionals and
to interact with them. If I have a product that is appropriate I can take a
one-on-one appointment with them and pitch certain projects.
It
just gives me more of an opportunity to get an idea of what’s going on in
publishing. There are workshops, panels and seminars that are going on that are
very informative. It is both a selling venue and an educational forum. People
can use it for a number of different purposes.
JHB – Thank you Gina for a
wonderful opportunity. I appreciate seeing the literary arena like this.
Indeed, one can never judge a book by its cover!
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