tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post1570907509299104286..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Don't Fail YourselfBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78004814683490659762009-04-24T03:21:00.000-04:002009-04-24T03:21:00.000-04:00Writers will always be at the mercy of agents, unt...Writers will always be at the mercy of agents, until we can come up with a system of control that makes things better for us ... and if possible cut them out of the loop with the whole publishing process.<br /><br />Don't act like you haven't thought about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-13759314385441144502009-04-21T04:44:00.000-04:002009-04-21T04:44:00.000-04:00Anon 12:55:
My question for you is who should you...Anon 12:55:<br /><br />My question for you is who should your loyalty really be with? Your agent or you and your career? I don't think authors should just leave agents willie-nilly. I've stressed numerous times that communication is necessary and I think the smart authors take the time to discuss concerns with the agent first, but if you are truly and sincerely doubting your agent's ability to sell your work you need to ask yourself what will make you feel worse. You should also find out from the agent what happened with the deal that fell through. That might make all the difference in how you feel about the next book.<br /><br />Anon 10:32<br />My point of this post is that agents don't hold all the cards unless you give them all the cards to hold. In addition, keep in mind that many of these stories don't involve bad agents, but simply agents who fell down on the job at one point or another and for one author or another. Some do it repeatedly, some are just bad instances. In the end, when interviewing agented authors, I think what you'll find is that most of them are very happy to be paying the 15% and truly feel they have someone on their side. As for names, I will repeat myself and again you will refuse to listen. Go to Absolute Write. Names are discussed very liberally over there.<br /><br />--jhfBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57357228995810634622009-04-21T00:55:00.000-04:002009-04-21T00:55:00.000-04:00Oh Lord.
I am one of the people who responded to...Oh Lord. <br /><br />I am one of the people who responded to Agentfail with a story about my agent. Who I swear to god I adore as a person but who can't seem to sell a thing. (Not just my stuff... anyone's stuff.)<br /><br />We were so close to a sale once, with a major editor calling me to rave over the book and how he was looking forward to working with me and still... no sale.<br /><br />Now I'm about to send another book to the submission process - and I know this one has got even more of the magic than the last one that didn't sell - but can I work up the courage to let my agent go before I send the novel out?<br /><br />I feel like I would be letting my agent down by jumping ship just when I have something special to deliver.<br /><br />How far do I stand with my loyalty?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-29984025165988159552009-04-20T22:32:00.000-04:002009-04-20T22:32:00.000-04:00Very depressing when agents hold all the cards and...Very depressing when agents hold all the cards and the writers are at their mercy. How are we supposed to know who the bad agents are when people refuse to mention names (for fear of getting blacklisted)? Agents like to protect their own and writers are too afraid to speak up.<br /><br />The solution is obvious: Publishers should allow unagented submiussions and have jr. editors or assts. go through the slush pile, just as agents do now...<br /><br />Then we won't have to pay that pesky 15%-20% and we all end up more responsible for our work and in control of our careers. Think of the time and $$ we'd all save! Why not give it a try, publishers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14606182866790076212009-04-20T19:48:00.000-04:002009-04-20T19:48:00.000-04:00Hmmm . . . since I am now going through 'editorfai...Hmmm . . . since I am now going through 'editorfail' I can see both sides of the story.<br /><br />I had an unagented work accepted by a well respected small press. We went through the initial rounds of copyediting and the first editor [just wonderful] sent it on to the senior editor. Over a year ago . . . All of my emails have gone unanswered. I think my contract with them is about to expire. If I've been shelved, I would like to know.<br /><br />Not sure what to do next and I am a lawyer by profession for heavens sake.<br /><br />I can imagine how other rookies must feel if this has left me in such a quandry.terrinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82387998682069509432009-04-20T19:44:00.000-04:002009-04-20T19:44:00.000-04:00Anon 5:33. I didn't mention prior rep in any of my...Anon 5:33. I didn't mention prior rep in any of my query correspondence, partial or full requests. Not until I was offered representation. Only then did I bring it up as part of the full-disclosure 'getting to know you' talk-fest after agreeing to representation. And then I emphasized I left on good graces. That was how I handled it as I am fully cognizant of other agents being leery of writers with a past relationship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83809431794401881302009-04-20T19:39:00.000-04:002009-04-20T19:39:00.000-04:00Anon, I don't know if it helps, but I disclosed th...Anon, I don't know if it helps, but I disclosed the info in my query that I was 'previously repped by XYZ agent.' The agent has a very good name, and I left her after trying very long and hard to make it work. I figured why wouldn't I disclose that info--it shows that an agent with big name clients thought my work had merit. I wouldn't have done it if the split had gone badly, or the agent had a poor rep. <br /><br />I'm now agented again, and my new agent asked about it right away, but not in a negative sense like I'd done something wrong. She knows that not all writing marriages work out--that's the biz. I think most agents know this, so I wouldn't feel like you have a black mark against you for being previously agented.Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33708635017045122262009-04-20T19:38:00.000-04:002009-04-20T19:38:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27458744813776952542009-04-20T17:33:00.000-04:002009-04-20T17:33:00.000-04:00I just saw an interview with a group of agents who...<I>I just saw an interview with a group of agents who said they'd be hesitant to sign anyone who had a history of leaving an agent -- they gave all the benefit of the doubt to the agent.</I>I saw that same interview and almost cried. I tried so hard to be a good client but was forced to terminate the relationship when my agent disappeared on me. And now it's a black mark against me? Great. <br /><br />So, BookEnds, when should a previously repped disclose their agented history? And at what point in the query process? Partial ms request? Full? Offer of representation? I'd be very grateful if you could provide some specifics to those of us who are in this unfortunate position.<br /><br />Or to any writers out there who've had more than one agent, how did you handle things?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2785661152750444212009-04-20T17:26:00.000-04:002009-04-20T17:26:00.000-04:00Dean Wesley Smith here. Great post and I have pass...Dean Wesley Smith here. Great post and I have passed it along to a number of lists I am on. Every writer needs to hear what you just said to get this "agent as saviors" myth under control. My wife, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and I teach professional level writers and we have a sign that we put on the wall behind us. "You are responsible for your own career." <br /><br />It sometimes is the hardest lesson we teach.<br /><br />Thank you for the sound words of advice from the agent side. Very much appreciated.<br /><br />Cheers, DeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-46430278479241802912009-04-20T16:48:00.000-04:002009-04-20T16:48:00.000-04:00Anon, I understand your frustrations. I would take...Anon, I understand your frustrations. I would take issue with that statement that 'most' agents are poor when it comes to communication and meeting expectations. I believe most make good faith efforts. Part of it may be priority and workload. I'm sure Jessica can speak far more on this than my meager observations from agent blogs and such, but some agents are certainly more efficient than others at regular communication. Some have greater workloads than others, to the point of being swamped most of the time, while others are still actively building lists and have more freedom to respond to client needs quickly regardless of whether it's an emergency or not. Established client needs certainly take precedent of new clients. Not saying new clients should be treated less than, but it's something like a business ignoring its core constituency in favor of the new venture. While they want the new venture to succeed, the core has to be maintained. <br /><br />Actually be interesting to hear Jessica's or other agents on the balance between dealing with new and established client needs. Perhaps I'm way off base here, and they are treated the same, or as more likely the case, it depends on the agent.<br /><br />Certainly authors can try to establish some kind of boundaries when gaining representation, i.e. how quickly can I expect responses to email questions if it's not an emergency? How many submission rejections will it take before it becomes apparent the book won't likely sell? If it won't sell to the main pubs, will it be shopped to smaller ones and are they going to be interested in pursuing that? Because you really want to know if the agent is in it with you for the long haul. Are they willing to start small and try to build or they going to be disappointed in taking you on if they have to go with the smaller money. Because at some point, the return on investment just isn't going to be viable for them. Agents have to make a living too, regardless of how much they love an author's work.<br /><br />Anyway, it is a frustrating business. No two ways about it. Agents vary a good deal amongst each other in how they approach their work. Communication is key. Do your research. If you can't find out anything about an agent prior to going into a relationship, that should be a red flag.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-60409790306688786082009-04-20T16:20:00.000-04:002009-04-20T16:20:00.000-04:00Thank you so much for saying this. I've seen so m...Thank you so much for saying this. I've seen so many agents responding to the agentfail stuff written by unrepresented writers -- stuff about form rejections, etc., but everyone was ignoring the real heartbreak stories: agents who ignore their own clients, agents who don't follow up on submissions, agents who give up on a book (as mine did) after a mere handful of rejections. These are not scam artists or self-deluded losers -- these are big name agents with major sales who just can't be bothered to treat their clients like human beings. And since no one talks about this stuff openly, it's impossible to tell when you're signing -- you really have no choice but to hope for the best.<br /><br />As for why writers don't dump agents like this -- I did, but I can tell you why others don't. One reason is the fear of becoming labeled "difficult" if it comes out you've had more than one agent. I just saw an interview with a group of agents who said they'd be hesitant to sign anyone who had a history of leaving an agent -- they gave all the benefit of the doubt to the agent.<br /><br />Another reason is the truism that no agent will touch a project if it's already been on submission. A friend of mine's agent doesn't respond to emails except once in a blue moon, refuses to follow up on submissions... my friend would love to leave, but who else is going to touch a book that's already been shown around at seven houses? To have a chance, she'd have to start all over with a new book. I can understand why authors are hesitant to cut bait in that situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-38665008450822388262009-04-20T15:26:00.000-04:002009-04-20T15:26:00.000-04:00You speak truth. I found myself in that exact situ...You speak truth. I found myself in that exact situation. I didn't want to press my agent too much so only touched bases every few months. I quit bugging her and concentrated on another book. When it was ready I contacted her and...she informed me she wasn't going to represent any more of my books. Gosh, wish I had been told a bit earlier. Even so, I hesitated making a move. She said she wanted to continue trying to sell the one book she had. But after several more months and no word, etc. I sent a letter of termination and went looking for new representation. It's taken me nearly two years and two books to get an agent offer. Now I'm editing that one per my agent's suggestions. So far I'm very pleased.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22872577851726858402009-04-20T14:06:00.000-04:002009-04-20T14:06:00.000-04:00Here's the thing. As a first-time agented writer, ...Here's the thing. As a first-time agented writer, I didn't KNOW what was "normal" agent behavior. I didn't know if my expectations in terms of communication were unrealistic or not. I was trying to be a good client, to not bother my agent too much. This was an agent most writers would kill to have: super experienced with lots of sales, and working for one of the biggest literary agencies in NY. <br /><br />Yes, my agent was enthusiastic. Yes, she started shopping my ms right away (after I'd done some revisions before signing). And she kept me in the loop on responses. All good. But it took her nearly two months to read a proposal of my WIP (after I'd politely nudged her at least once and she'd promised to look at it "this weekend"). Was that normal agent behavior? I didn't know. <br /><br />After we signed, it took her an average of ten days to respond to my emails (containing somewhat important but not emergency questions). Was that normal? I didn't think so but I wasn't sure. I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt and to be patient. We're always told to be patient, aren't we? <br /><br />Of course, I when she started giving me the silent treatment after the 11th editor rejection, I knew that wasn't normal. I terminated our relationship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-24876416349999504252009-04-20T13:36:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:36:00.000-04:00Question: Is it possible that a lot of the silence...Question: Is it possible that a lot of the silence about a query or a 'request for more info" is because some agents are actually 'shopping the material or idea' before giving the writer an answer?JMK311http://www.thebanditproject.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78582170592790327752009-04-20T13:17:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:17:00.000-04:00Anon 1:07 - I believe she was referring to already...Anon 1:07 - I believe she was referring to already agented authors. There is still waiting to be done even when you have an agent and they are sending your work out on submission. However I am with Jessica on this one, you have to make sure you're up to date with what's going on, communicate with your agent. The good ones will return the favour.<br /><br />And I want to say that I have never met a bad agent. I mean in person. All the agents I have had the joy of communicating with have been just amazing. There are many good ones out there. Yes there are also crappy ones out there, but to consider that the norm, well that's just wrong. It's simply that we as humans would rather vent than praise, so there is more negative out there on the interweb than positive.Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607530400279311428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27789044417479184062009-04-20T13:14:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:14:00.000-04:00Thank you for posting this. I think it's time for...Thank you for posting this. I think it's time for both sides to 'fess up and admit they were wrong in some aspects. As a new writer we think our agent is there to help us - we wrote the book, now it's time to sit back and let our agent do the rest, and some agents will use that theory to our advantage. <br /><br />The most we can say is that the queryfail opened our eyes - on both sides - and its our own fault if we let things rest the way they have.Steena Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03585255306121495098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-12804091501564581962009-04-20T13:07:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:07:00.000-04:00Another response to your statement: "...In the cas...Another response to your statement: "...In the cases where an agent sat on a manuscript for months and months, not giving feedback to the author and not submitting the work, the agent certainly failed, and in a big way. But what about the author? Why do you sit there for months and months and allow someone else to put your career on hold?..."<br /><br />But we get told that we have to wait to hear from you, that we will be automatically rejected if we badger you. It's very frustrating when advice seems to contradict the advice we've been given previously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-38125375596232515982009-04-20T12:42:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:42:00.000-04:00Sorry Fawn, but I respectfully disagree with this:...Sorry Fawn, but I respectfully disagree with this:<br /><br />"no big deal - go write another book" is correct, but it IS a little like being told to go have another baby, 'coz this one's retarded.<br /><br />A book is not a person, no matter how attached the writer is to his or her "baby". While I truly enjoy curling up with a good book, it can never replace a loved one. <br /><br />Also,<br />Those of us with retarded children and or /brothers and sisters wouldn't trade them for the world. Their giving and loving spirit rivals many the world calls normal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78509313768833619452009-04-20T12:33:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:33:00.000-04:00Juliana, don't worry, I didn't think you sounded c...Juliana, don't worry, I didn't think you sounded condescending at all. In fact, I might just hire you as my own personal cheerleader. I want you to sit on the corner of my desk and cheer me on every day, and if you could also stop me from eating quite so many biscuits as I do, that would be a bonus!Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14349085211702915252009-04-20T12:27:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:27:00.000-04:00Jane, I meant that you were right! I dont' want t...Jane, I meant that you were right! I dont' want to sound condescending.... :-)....ok, I need to get some writing done...damn blogs and now Twitter...Juliana Stonehttp://www.julianastone.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-58131628544665948552009-04-20T12:24:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:24:00.000-04:00Jane writing is not for the weak. When you finall...Jane writing is not for the weak. When you finally get a sale...believe me, you feel like you've won the war...and some writers are just more battle scarred than others.....but what a feeling when you finally succeed. You gotta keep trying. I do believe that where there is a will, there's a way....but you must take control, be proactive...Juliana STonehttp://www.julianastone.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62038137377112965782009-04-20T12:10:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:10:00.000-04:00I've worked on both sides of the fence--I used to ...I've worked on both sides of the fence--I used to be an editor, and now I'm a writer. Over the years I've had three agents, and while each was wonderful in his or her way, and had a reputation you could build whole cities on, the first two let me down quite horribly. The third: well, she's a dream, and I adore her. <br /><br />I know from my own experience that having not just a good agent, but the RIGHT agent, makes a whole heap of difference to a writer's life. I always recommend that writers look for representation. But I also understand the heartbreak of having the wrong agent pitch a book, and not sell it, only to see it languishing unsold for various reasons, not all of them my own. I've since written several better books: but that other one, that didn't sell, is still there, and just as good, and just as unread and unpublished as before.<br /><br />The real lesson that I learned from Queryfail and all subsequent somethingfails is that writing is a hard craft to master, and a hard business to work in as a writer. That doesn't mean that I blame anyone for the problems that are out there: just that most writers face heartbreak no matter how good and positive, or bad and bitter, they are.<br /><br />There. That's lowered everyone's spirits, hasn't it? Sorry. I'll try to be more cheerful next time!Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-68736069921538903792009-04-20T11:56:00.000-04:002009-04-20T11:56:00.000-04:00Jduncan--
"....When I get one that is interested...Jduncan-- <br /><br />"....When I get one that is interested enough in my writing, I'll certainly have a list of expectations for them, and I'll expect them to have the same for me..."<br /><br />No agent that wants your ms is going to say, Yes, hey, I'm only going to send your ms to five editors and then I'm going to never read your other ms, and after that I'm going to never return any of your emails... <br /><br />But, sometimes (sometimes!) that is what happens. An Agent snaps you up, heaps all kinds of praise on your work, and then, when you don't sell in five minutes they are done with you and on the the next writer. A good agent like Jessica isn't going to do this, but there are so many that do.<br /><br />And guess what, you can't find any info on them from other writers -- because you don't know the names of their unpublished writers (because they are unpublished) and I'm betting their clients that have sold aren't going to possibly ruin their own relationship with the agent by pointing out the agent's flaws to someone they don't know.<br /><br />I'm not trying to make anyone paranoid, but "ideal" situations are often not the norm in client/agent relationship. Because the writer can only write one book at a time, it's a much bigger deal than to the agent who can sell one of their other 20-50 clients' books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36926670186465491362009-04-20T11:53:00.000-04:002009-04-20T11:53:00.000-04:00Jim Duncan brought up a good point and that is to ...Jim Duncan brought up a good point and that is to talk to other clients of an agent before agreeing to their representation. What better way to gauge the work of said agent? It's not full proof but certainly a great way to find out if the agents current authors are happy.Juliana Stonehttp://www.julianastone.comnoreply@blogger.com