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Again, we turn down most books that have been…

“Again, we turn down most books that have been self-published unless they have a special track record. We have taken a small number on, however, and sold them to major publishers for a nice sum. But that is an exception to the rule.” quote by Richard Curtis
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“Again, we turn down most books that have been self-published unless they have a special track record. We have taken a small number on, however, and sold them to major publishers for a nice sum. But that is an exception to the rule.”

Richard Curtis

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑published books are rarely accepted unless they have proven success, though occasional exceptions are sold to big publishers.

In simple terms: Self‑published works need a track record for acceptance.

Key Takeaway

Seek proven success before pitching.

Themes

publishing gatekeeping exception sales

Mood

cautious pragmatic

Type

industry advice

When to use this quote

  • pitching to agents
  • selling rights
  • building a track record
  • negotiating deals

Key Concepts

market validation industry standards author reputation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can self‑published authors improve credibility?
  • What metrics matter most to publishers?
A Different Perspective

Even with a track record, many self‑published works still face bias.

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