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Many people
call us after they have sent in their material to find out what the status
of their project is. To avoid any confusion and anxiety, below is an outline
of our review process. Please take the time to read it so that you can
understand more about how PMA works.
- Step One: Initial Query
Please allow four weeks for our response to your query letter.
- Step Two: Pass or Pursue
If we wish to see more of your work based on your initial query, we
will request one to three sample chapters, your manuscript in its entirety,
your nonfiction proposal or your completed screenplay. If we respond
positively to your query letter but decline the opportunity to pursue
a project further based on the work you send to us, it generally means
that we were intrigued by the premise of the work, but felt that the
execution was not as masterful as it would need to be in order to succeed
in today's literary marketplace. At this point, we will either offer
to review a revision of the work or we will encourage you to seek representation
elsewhere.
- Step Three: Preliminary Read
Once we receive the requested materials, our Staff will give the project
a preliminary read within four to six weeks. If the Preliminary Reader
finds merit in the work, he or she will share it with other PMA Colleagues.
If the reader determines that the work is not suited to PMA, he or she
will notify the Author with a letter.
- Step Four: In-Depth Evaluation
Projects that make it to the in-depth evaluation receive much closer
scrutiny than the preliminary reading round, and this closer look takes
time. Multiple PMA Associates on the basis of literary merit and commercial viability will critique the work, then we will make a determination whether to offer or decline representation. Please try to be patient
during this process; if you do not hear from us within three months,
please feel free to call or e-mail for a status check.
- Step Five: Contractual Representation
Once our office determines that your book or screenplay is ready for
the commercial marketplace, we will offer you our standard management
agreement, which states our commitment to selling your project, as well
as your exclusivity to our company.
- Step Six: Editorial Revision
If deemed necessary, our Staff will provide you with editorial notes
on your project (anywhere from two to a dozen pages in length), which
will guide you in improving the quality as well as the commercial viability
of the piece. This is a free service that we offer our clients.
- Step Seven: Submissions
PMA maintains an extensive network of contacts in both the publishing
and film industries. Once we have signed you up, we create a list of
potential editors, producers or studio executives who are likely to
respond to your work. We then make our formal submissions.
- Step Eight: Auction
If more than one editor or producer shows interest in a project, PMA
holds a bidding auction, with the goal being obtaining the best overall
deal for our Client. We take into consideration not only the finer points
of the financial offer, but intangibles such as the current climate
at specific publishing houses and the success rate of the individual
editor.
- Step Nine: Contract
PMA presents its Clients with the best possible terms from each Publisher
and Producer, explaining various clauses and industry protocol. We then
make recommendations to our Clients based on our experience. Once our
Client approves a deal, a contract is drafted and signed, and then PMA
begins the task of marketing your book in various foreign and ancillary
markets (such as audio, e-books, large print, etc.).
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