Self-Publishing vs. Traditional + How to Get a Literary Agent

From Manuscript to Marketplace- Self-Publishing vs. Traditional + How to Get

Join us at Adanne Bookshop for an exciting event where we'll dive into the world of publishing! Whether you're considering self-publishing or going the traditional route, this event will cover it all. Learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry and discover how to get your work from manuscript to marketplace. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to gain insights and tips on how to navigate the publishing world!

What We’ll Cover (clear + honest)

Traditional Publishing

• What a publisher does (editing, design, printing, distribution)
• When you need an agent: The Big Five (PRH, HarperCollins, Hachette, S&S, Macmillan) don’t take unagented submissions.
• When you might not need one: small/indie presses that accept direct submissions, niche/academic works, and most poetry.

Self-Publishing

• Full creative control, higher royalties, faster timeline, no gatekeepers.
• The trade-off: you handle (and fund) editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing; limited bookstore access; it’s a real commitment.

Hybrids & Red Flags

• What hybrid publishers offer—and how to vet them.
• Vanity presses: the warning signs and why to avoid them.

How to Get a Literary Agent

• Is your manuscript/query ready? (readiness checklist)
• Researching the right agents (MSWL, catalogs, comps).
• Query letter anatomy (hook, pitch, bio, comps) + common mistakes.
• Requests, offers, and what happens after you sign.

Fiction, nonfiction, and memoir writers who want a straight, honest path forward—whether you’re preparing to query or considering self-publishing.

• A resource packet

Jenissa Graham is a Literary Agent at BookEnds Literary, representing authors and illustrators. Her publishing career began in 2020 at Writers House, where she supported global licensing across Film/TV, Theater, Merchandise, and Foreign Rights. In 2022, Jenissa joined BookEnds Literary as an agent.
As a first-generation Jamaican American, Jenissa is committed to increasing BIPOC representation in publishing. She acquires projects across middle grade, young/new adult, and adult categories in sci-fi/fantasy, thriller, contemporary, and select nonfiction.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Adanne