Comments for Lemn Sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:09:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1447 lemn sissay Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:09:37 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1447 Transparency is really important to me in a booking agent. it indicates integrity and it indicates that they know what they are doing and are not fearful of getting it wrong. Remember the writers are giving you their revenue streams. In the same breath they are not your boss and shouldn't treat you as such. But there is a great middle ground that satisfies both. it means the writer can ask questions and receive honest answers. I've always believed that you can define how well a writer is doing by the amount of work they can afford to turn down than the work they take. it sounds counter intuitive but what it means is the writers fee limit is right and all is well. I do twenty percent of all my readings for free so I don't ever feel my fee is too high or too low. Though it can be both. Ha. Transparency is really important to me in a booking agent. it indicates integrity and it indicates that they know what they are doing and are not fearful of getting it wrong. Remember the writers are giving you their revenue streams. In the same breath they are not your boss and shouldn’t treat you as such. But there is a great middle ground that satisfies both. it means the writer can ask questions and receive honest answers. I’ve always believed that you can define how well a writer is doing by the amount of work they can afford to turn down than the work they take. it sounds counter intuitive but what it means is the writers fee limit is right and all is well. I do twenty percent of all my readings for free so I don’t ever feel my fee is too high or too low. Though it can be both. Ha.

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Lemn Sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1446 Lemn Sissay Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:54:49 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1446 Brilliant stuff. I LOVE the Abraham Lincoln quote. Thanks. Please forgive me for removing my playful response. I think it's best to keep this thread on point. Brilliant stuff. I LOVE the Abraham Lincoln quote. Thanks. Please forgive me for removing my playful response. I think it’s best to keep this thread on point.

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Agent Louisa http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1442 Agent Louisa Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:23:31 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1442 Thanks for this Lemn, excellent advice. I'm all ears for more. Abraham Lincoln said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe” and “I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” Well, I'm off to do some research. Thanks for this Lemn, excellent advice. I’m all ears for more.
Abraham Lincoln said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe” and “I will prepare and some day my chance will come.”
Well, I’m off to do some research.

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Lemn Sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1441 Lemn Sissay Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:08:30 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1441 The Company Of Poets awaits. You need to do a business plan. You need to work out which poets are the ones - just take a proper look across the coutnry - and then you need to offer them the service. it sounds so simple doesn't it? I know who they are. But if you are to do this seriously then I would say you need to do your research. It'll stand you in good stead. The Company Of Poets awaits. You need to do a business plan. You need to work out which poets are the ones – just take a proper look across the coutnry – and then you need to offer them the service. it sounds so simple doesn’t it? I know who they are. But if you are to do this seriously then I would say you need to do your research. It’ll stand you in good stead.

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Lemn Sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1440 Lemn Sissay Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:01:10 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1440 If you look at my previous 100 words (there are a few) you'll find the booking form. This will only work if you have the poets on between fifteen and twenty. It will only work if you can turn around the booking form from the enquiry. If you respect the writers and if they respect you. You need to set out a simple defined stall that offers the clear service to the writer. You must not tout yourself as someone who will get new work for the writers (though that will definitely happen as the industry starts to recognise you as someone with a strong stable) For your (and your clients sanity) you need to do a cash flow projection for the first five years. You need to have some understanding of how much each writer charges for workshops and performances. You must treat the enquirers with respect but firmly and most of all, honestly. All this you probably know. To set up a Company of Poets you must prepare. Your preparation will be what benefits you and the writers. If you look at my previous 100 words (there are a few) you’ll find the booking form. This will only work if you have the poets on between fifteen and twenty. It will only work if you can turn around the booking form from the enquiry. If you respect the writers and if they respect you. You need to set out a simple defined stall that offers the clear service to the writer. You must not tout yourself as someone who will get new work for the writers (though that will definitely happen as the industry starts to recognise you as someone with a strong stable) For your (and your clients sanity) you need to do a cash flow projection for the first five years. You need to have some understanding of how much each writer charges for workshops and performances. You must treat the enquirers with respect but firmly and most of all, honestly. All this you probably know. To set up a Company of Poets you must prepare. Your preparation will be what benefits you and the writers.

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Agent Louisa http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1439 Agent Louisa Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:33:43 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1439 So if I were to set up The Company of Poets to represent spoken word poets, what would be the wish list - the things to get right and of course your pet hates..? So if I were to set up The Company of Poets to represent spoken word poets, what would be the wish list – the things to get right and of course your pet hates..?

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Lemn Sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1438 Lemn Sissay Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:52:26 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1438 I know you are probably all brilliant at ONiT PR but you do a variety of things. I am speaking of an agency that is soley concerned with spoken word. I say that for a particular reason. I know you are probably all brilliant at ONiT PR but you do a variety of things. I am speaking of an agency that is soley concerned with spoken word. I say that for a particular reason.

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Lemn Sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1437 Lemn Sissay Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:48:07 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1437 Thanks Juliet. This post is singularly about poets performing on stage in schools universities festivals, who are looking for representation for that work in particular. It's why I stated that there's "only one that exclusively represents poets on stage in England" and it's why I used the term "Spoken Word Agent" in the title. But I didn't say explicitly that a spoken word agent is not a literary agent and I should've made that clear from the outset. I know most literary agents are at 15%. It's for a different crucial service. I'll write another blog on what I know of literary agents having had a few over the years. AP Watt is the oldest and one of the finest and has such jewels in its crown as agent Natasha Fairweather whom I met at your offices a few years ago. What I find fascinating about The Company of Poets idea - and thanks for your compliment - is that everything I've said outlines only the beginning. It could lead to all kinds of possibilities for growth. It's a good time for it. It's the perfect time for it. I am being very particular, brutal even, about the income stream of its first clients. I know various unrepresented relatively new poets who are busy making whirlwinds and in search of representation for live gigs. I'm not the person to set it up either but here is a place to encourage the conversation. Thanks Juliet. This post is singularly about poets performing on stage in schools universities festivals, who are looking for representation for that work in particular. It’s why I stated that there’s “only one that exclusively represents poets on stage in England” and it’s why I used the term “Spoken Word Agent” in the title. But I didn’t say explicitly that a spoken word agent is not a literary agent and I should’ve made that clear from the outset.

I know most literary agents are at 15%. It’s for a different crucial service. I’ll write another blog on what I know of literary agents having had a few over the years. AP Watt is the oldest and one of the finest and has such jewels in its crown as agent Natasha Fairweather whom I met at your offices a few years ago.

What I find fascinating about The Company of Poets idea – and thanks for your compliment – is that everything I’ve said outlines only the beginning. It could lead to all kinds of possibilities for growth. It’s a good time for it. It’s the perfect time for it. I am being very particular, brutal even, about the income stream of its first clients. I know various unrepresented relatively new poets who are busy making whirlwinds and in search of representation for live gigs. I’m not the person to set it up either but here is a place to encourage the conversation.

]]> Comment on 100 more words on a spoken word agent for the contemporary poet by Juliet http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/15/100-more-words-on-a-spoken-word-agent-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1436 Juliet Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:20:18 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1623#comment-1436 I agree to a large extent that most poets probably don't need agents (I am talking about the literary/more traditional type here). But how about when you are being published by the larger publishing houses, and it comes to negotiating contracts, royalties and terms? That's also what we are here for. And we only take 15% commission! Ideally, I think a specialist agent for poets could cover literary, 'performance' and admin concerns. I am not that agent, but someone else might be, and The Company of Poets is an excellent idea. I agree to a large extent that most poets probably don’t need agents (I am talking about the literary/more traditional type here). But how about when you are being published by the larger publishing houses, and it comes to negotiating contracts, royalties and terms? That’s also what we are here for. And we only take 15% commission! Ideally, I think a specialist agent for poets could cover literary, ‘performance’ and admin concerns. I am not that agent, but someone else might be, and The Company of Poets is an excellent idea.

]]> Comment on 100 words on a postcard for the contemporary poet. by Lemn Sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2012/02/22/100-words-on-a-postcard-for-the-contemporary-poet/#comment-1435 Lemn Sissay Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:15:34 +0000 http://blog.lemnsissay.com/?p=1643#comment-1435 Never has something I've written sounded so wet. I will probably take this post down. The action of sending the postcard speaks louder than my words. meh! Never has something I’ve written sounded so wet. I will probably take this post down. The action of sending the postcard speaks louder than my words. meh!

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