tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post2965271025653978671..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Agents Doing You a DisserviceBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-40619595448207852762007-11-08T13:25:00.000-05:002007-11-08T13:25:00.000-05:00Aimless, if you don't know what questions to ask, ...Aimless, if you don't know what questions to ask, you haven't been in the business long enough to be submitting to agents. I don't mean that in a mean way--you're asking here, which is the right thing to do, but the point is that writers who have not yet learned what questions to ask should not be submitting. If you don't understand the rules of the game, don't play. Sit on the sidelines and watch until you learn.<BR/><BR/>There are a lot of questions to ask:<BR/><BR/>Will an agent do split payments? (Why should your agent pay you? Why should you be the one to wait for the money?)<BR/>How does the agent handle day-to-day communication? Email? Phone? Blackberry?<BR/>What can the agent do after the sale? Have them walk you through the process and give examples.<BR/>Contact other clients of this agent and ask about the above.<BR/><BR/>Someone asked about agents who don't live in NYC. My agent is in California. I'm multi-published and have hit both the USA and NYT lists. My agent's location only means I take business calls late at night. Otherwise, who cares? In today's world of internet and frequent flyer miles, location makes little difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-87614279522961224442007-11-02T16:45:00.000-04:002007-11-02T16:45:00.000-04:00Oh, it's absolutely possible the book didn't sell ...Oh, it's absolutely possible the book didn't sell because it wasn't good enough. But if the agent can't explain why they choose to send it to one editor over another, and can't produce any feedback from editors other than "they didn't think it was quite right", even after 20 rejections, I think it's also absolutely possible that the agent didn't have the right relationships to get editors to give it a serious read. And now I'll never know whether it was the book or the agent, but if I'd done my homework better, maybe I'd be able to tell.<BR/><BR/>Don't worry, whether the agent was weak or just not a good communicator, I do recognize the mistake was still my mistake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9413831080551779162007-11-01T18:23:00.000-04:002007-11-01T18:23:00.000-04:00Interesting point about the fabulous book that wen...Interesting point about the fabulous book that went out to 20 editors and didn't sell. Some posters seem to think the book isn't all that fabulous and that may be true. But I think it's quite possible it's the most wonderful book ever written and was the victim of a poor agent. <BR/><BR/>I'm no expert, but my limited observations are that many fabulous books probably don't sell--you need a fabulous book in front of the right editor at the right time. Your agent is a big help in getting your book to the right editor. (No one can do much about the zeitgist--however you spell that--unfortunately.)<BR/><BR/>Here's two ways I think the scene could play out:<BR/><BR/>Good agent--Hey, this is a fabulous book. It's a killer (ha,ha) romantic suspense. House A, B, C, etc. publish RS very well. Hmm. I could send it to editor Z at house A, but the book has a cat in it and editor Z is allergic to cats--she breaks out at even a feline thought, so I'll send this to editor Y. (Well, maybe first I'll call and feel Y out.) But the book is also a bit cutting edge. I think I'll send to three good houses now and see what they say. (Later, after three rejections, good agent is on the phone to fabulous writer.) "Fabulous," good agent says, "I've submitted your book to House A, B, and C and all my contacts say that it's great, however, it has too many aliens. Aliens just aren't selling. What do you want to do? I can submit to E, F, and G, or you might think about toning down the aliens and going for for something else...talking radishes maybe..." Or maybe it's time to put this fabulous book away and and wait for the market to change, meanwhile working on even more fablulous book. <BR/><BR/>Bad agent: Hey, this is a fabulous book. I bet I can sell it in a snap. Let me get down my Writers Market. Hmm. Twenty houses sell RS. Why waste time? (And hey, I have to pay the cat food bill, so I could do with a quick sale.) I'll just send this out now to all twenty. One of these houses is sure to buy it. And one editor is as good as another, right? A sale's a sale. Let me just package this up and get it in the mail... After 20 rejections, bad agent doesn't respond to email or phone calls.<BR/><BR/>Just saying...this business can be a little crazy. Oh, and communication is key.Sally MacKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166303880685146915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-80307514120002034772007-11-01T16:35:00.000-04:002007-11-01T16:35:00.000-04:00I don't understand why anyone would query an agent...<I>I don't understand why anyone would query an agent one wouldn't be thrilled to have represent them. What is the purpose? Practice? I wouldn't waste my postage.</I><BR/><BR/>Of course you research the agent's client list and sales, check out online interviews, and troll the Absolute Write boards for tidbits. But this kind of research can't tell you whether or not your personalities, working styles, and goals will be a good match. Talking to the agent is the only way to find out. And you can't talk to the agent until they've offered representation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-37083377514437369452007-11-01T14:00:00.000-04:002007-11-01T14:00:00.000-04:00An agent can get your book read. Your agent canno...An agent can get your book read. <BR/><BR/>Your agent cannot force an editor to buy a book. Your book must sell itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8982505469342253802007-11-01T13:58:00.000-04:002007-11-01T13:58:00.000-04:00"a year later my book isn't sold but it went out t..."a year later my book isn't sold but it went out to at least 20 publishers so I'm sure there's no point in shopping it around to other agents because they won't want to take on a book with a history of rejection."<BR/><BR/>Uh, have you considered it might be the BOOK?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-26890370092283482002007-11-01T13:17:00.000-04:002007-11-01T13:17:00.000-04:00A "bad" agent is worse than no agent, because a ye...A "bad" agent is worse than no agent, because a year later my book isn't sold but it went out to at least 20 publishers so I'm sure there's no point in shopping it around to other agents because they won't want to take on a book with a history of rejection. Even though it's fabulous.<BR/><BR/>Was my agent a bad person? No, of course not. I think maybe he just didn't have great relationships with editors, and was unable to make the right match. Happens every day.<BR/><BR/>But if you are not 100% excited about an agent, don't sign with them. (This situation was a little weird because he took me over from the agent I'd originally signed with, who left the business. I had the choice of being switched or looking for someone new.) The wrong fit is WAY worse than continuing to look for representation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-58773157815924462342007-11-01T09:10:00.000-04:002007-11-01T09:10:00.000-04:00Of course you query people that you think might be...Of course you query people that you think might be good for you. All the agents on my list have fabulous reputations and track records, but what if when talking to one of them I think, "Oh my God, she's my Mother."<BR/><BR/>That is not a professional dynamic I want to get going, even though I love my mother very much. I'm not sure I'd want to step into a relationship where I got a vibe that I wasn't a full partner, but a child that needed her head patted and to be told what to do.<BR/><BR/>Now this is all speculative, because it hasn't happened, and I don't know if any agents out there are like my mother, but I'm still pretty young, (30) and often people I'm trying to develop a professional relationship with have a couple of years on me. I deeply respect those years, but I don't want to be dismissed because of them. I want an agent to trust that I'm strong, capable, and smart. I want to feel like my agent believes I can handle things.<BR/><BR/>If I get head patting, it's going to turn me off, big time. Any one of my agents that I query could be a head patter. I don't know, until I can talk to them personally. And some authors are looking for a good head patter. More power to them.<BR/><BR/>It isn't right or wrong, it just doesn't work. In that situation, I don't know what I would do. I'd have two choices, try to establish the dynamic I want with the agent by being clear what my needs are, or not sign with that agent at all.<BR/><BR/>You can probably make the relationship work by being clear and honest about what you need as a writer, but if the agent turns out to be a consummate head-patter and there is no getting around it, for me, it probably isn't a relationship that would last. I'd have to be wary of that.<BR/><BR/>But none of it has happened, so I can only think about it so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56764729269443309402007-11-01T08:52:00.000-04:002007-11-01T08:52:00.000-04:00I don't understand why anyone would query an agent...I don't understand why anyone would query an agent one wouldn't be thrilled to have represent them. What is the purpose? Practice? I wouldn't waste my postage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-18986542019072369602007-10-31T21:24:00.000-04:002007-10-31T21:24:00.000-04:00Bran fran...I agree. I am on book #3 and even "I" ...Bran fran...I agree. I am on book #3 and even "I" love my writing better, so keep writing and the best is yet to come...<BR/><BR/>aimless writer....I agree with doing your homework researching agents. <BR/>Going with the agent that accepts your query first is not necessarily the way to go. It's like the old saying....anything that's worth having should never come too easy.Adriannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07812116729194184317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91886163020422658192007-10-31T17:02:00.000-04:002007-10-31T17:02:00.000-04:00What do you think most commonly makes someone a "b...What do you think most commonly makes someone a "bad" agent (other than shady business practices)? Would it be just your initial first impression, the amount of time it takes to return your calls, how agressively they market your manuscript, etc? I know all these things come in to play, but I'd like to know what one thing most people commonly encounter in a "bad" agent.Celiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01710814295311487972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91058720675708564322007-10-31T16:54:00.000-04:002007-10-31T16:54:00.000-04:00Just a few of observations:--As part of your resea...Just a few of observations:<BR/><BR/>--As part of your research, talk to some of the agent's clients. This is especially true if you actually have an offer in hand. I think most writers are willing to help.<BR/><BR/>--As I think we've said here before, not all writers want the same things in an agent. Some want hand holding, some want a agressive salesperson, etc, etc. What is important is what YOU want. <BR/><BR/>--The first contract is just the tip of the iceberg. Jessica never actually sold one of my manuscripts--I came to her with (second) contract in hand. Career planning and management is MUCH more important, IMHO.<BR/><BR/>--Communication is key.<BR/><BR/>Okay, back to the book that is, mysteriously, not writing itself.Sally MacKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166303880685146915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-74320314350696478702007-10-31T16:27:00.000-04:002007-10-31T16:27:00.000-04:00Note to self: don't read Christie's posts while dr...Note to self: don't read Christie's posts while drinking Diet Coke. I should know better. <BR/><BR/>I agree that it doesn't make sense to sign with an agent you don't think you'll mesh with. Don't even query anyone you’re not sure about, or you might just get a call from your ideal agent a month after you've signed with a not-so-perfect choice. <BR/><BR/>And, I know this part is painful because I’ve experienced it, but if the book doesn’t find its way to the right agent, perhaps the next one will. This past spring, I’d written a mystery that I think is pretty darn good. I sent it to my dream list and received a lot of requests for fulls, and lots of lovely personal rejections. An agent I really respect wrote an epistle of a rejection letter, citing what he thought I needed in the book and ending it by saying the book would probably be picked up by an agent and it might even sell, but he didn’t think it would be the breakout book I needed to launch a career. <BR/><BR/>I could have kept sending it out, maybe signed with an agent lower down on my list. But a horrible thought kept niggling at me – he was right. Darn it all. For all of the agonizing it cost me, I knew I had to stop submitting that book and fix a few things. But first, I had to finish this paranormal that I’d fallen in love with.<BR/><BR/>The paranormal sold, the mystery is still in my back pocket. But when you’re a writer, you have to keep writing, keep believing in your work and keep submitting to agents that will give you career the time and attention it deserves.Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79896059626554092592007-10-31T15:42:00.000-04:002007-10-31T15:42:00.000-04:00Jessica,Maybe I'm out of line asking this, but cou...Jessica,<BR/><BR/>Maybe I'm out of line asking this, but could you give us a feel for the percentage of clients you take under contract whose work you go on to sell to a publisher?<BR/><BR/>Maybe someone needs to create an independent, self-reporting database for authors to register their sales success rates with various agents. I'll consider hosting it if enough people think it's a good idea.Don Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859183758729799085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1676262677260050782007-10-31T15:16:00.000-04:002007-10-31T15:16:00.000-04:00If/when the day comes that an agent actually loves...<I>If/when the day comes that an agent actually loves my work and wants to sign me: What are the questions I should ask her/him before I sign???</I><BR/><BR/>Aimless, BookEnds covered this topic on September 26. I believe that Kristin Nelson at PubRants has covered this, as well. <BR/><BR/>As for the main topic here, I appreciate everyone who's chimed in. This is such an important subject. <BR/><BR/>The problem is, it's so damn hard to get an agent, that even if you're not sure you'll be a good fit, you still say "yes." After all, the agent looks good on paper: she's experienced, works for one of the big NY agencies, loves your novel, and has a track record in your genre. <BR/><BR/>But when your novel doesn't sell and she stops responding to your emails--of course you wonder if you should have listened to that little voice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-47862548700244664362007-10-31T14:58:00.000-04:002007-10-31T14:58:00.000-04:00If writers tend to look at their novels as "babies...If writers tend to look at their novels as "babies", who can imagine letting just anyone help you raise that baby? I certainly didn't settle for just "any" father for my son, and I'm not going to settle for just "any" agent to help guide my novels and my career.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82191981217611613282007-10-31T13:25:00.000-04:002007-10-31T13:25:00.000-04:00After being contracted and burned by a small publi...After being contracted and burned by a small publisher, I was determined to get the "right agent" for my next project. Unfortunately, I was being too cautious and wasn't thinking clearly because of fear of making another mistake.<BR/><BR/>In the end, I did my research and went with my instincts in choosing an agent.<BR/><BR/>So far it has worked for me. I only queried two agents because I did not want to have to choose between many agents (should I be so lucky). Also, I wanted an agent to have enough desire to represent me without her having to compete against other agents.<BR/><BR/>My agent did sign me quickly and so far I'm pleased with the results. She has a great personality and a great track record. Did I get lucky? Yes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-84788166280651283602007-10-31T13:04:00.000-04:002007-10-31T13:04:00.000-04:00To me, one of the most important aspects of the re...To me, one of the most important aspects of the relationship is communication. Too often I think that authors think agents are doing them a favor and are afraid to speak up and be clear about their expectations or to ask questions. No one wants to be the problem client who is always badgering the agent, but authors need to treat the relationship professionally. I think that a lot of authors who leave agents or who sign with bad agents do so because they don't communicate properly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17275527926681133622007-10-31T12:02:00.000-04:002007-10-31T12:02:00.000-04:00Question: If/when the day comes that an agent actu...Question: <BR/>If/when the day comes that an agent actually loves my work and wants to sign me: What are the questions I should ask her/him before I sign???<BR/>Recent sales?<BR/>Length of contract? <BR/>Details?<BR/>Favorite color? <BR/>I have a feeling my mind would go blank when I finally get that call. I was tongue-tied enough when I met Jessica at the NJRWA!Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-3845913932833223132007-10-31T11:33:00.000-04:002007-10-31T11:33:00.000-04:00Kate . . . you are so right. There is a honeymoo...Kate . . . you are so right. There is a honeymoon period with an agent. The first few months you walk around with a silly grin on your face, thinking..."She loves me...She really loves me." Then you spend time getting to know the other’s style of doing business. And not everyone's style is the same. <BR/><BR/>I remember one of Jessica’s blog about how her relationships with her authors vary from author to author because each one has different needs.<BR/> <BR/>I think that’s a sign of a good agent. Look at Kim, she’s out trying to find me a pair of jeans that does wonders for my backside. (smile) (Kim, make sure it makes me look a size smaller, too!)<BR/> <BR/>But seriously, I think when you research agents, you need to get insights to how they do business. Ask questions so you’ll know how they work and what you should or shouldn’t expect. And be careful that your expectations are realistic. I know some authors who have moved around to a lot of agents, looking for the perfect one, only to learn that their expectations were not reasonable. Not that the fault lies with only the writer, I’ve heard horror stories of bad agents, too. I think what you hear mostly is about two people whose views on how the career of the writer should go just don’t mesh anymore. Or two people who didn’t understand the other person’s expectations in the beginning. That’s why communicating is so important.<BR/><BR/>Faye Hughes and I are doing a workshop for RT about the Great Agent Hunt. We've interviewed a lot of published authors about the right questions to ask before signing with an agent. We're also going to be talking to agents about the right questions to ask, and how to best make the author/agent relationship work. <BR/>Great post Jessica.Christie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14186957768378118392007-10-31T10:32:00.000-04:002007-10-31T10:32:00.000-04:00Yeah, that is what I'm saying. I have to have eno...Yeah, that is what I'm saying. I have to have enough confidence in my own work to reassure myself that I will find someone who loves it as much as me and that I'll be able to work well with.<BR/><BR/>If I get the vibe that I wouldn't work well with this person, I'm the type that is crazy enough to reject an offer from the only agent that has called.<BR/><BR/>That said, I'm pretty darn easy to get along with, so I'm not skaird.<BR/><BR/>Okay, maybe a little. Which is where the prom analogy is. No matter if you are the type of girl who can haul up your bootstraps and go by yourself, (or with a gay guy *cough* Shoot, I'm not complaining, he was fabulous.) It still absolutely stinks not being asked to the prom, and it hurts like Hell, especially when you know you have a rockin' hot dress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-11115472537653299192007-10-31T10:28:00.000-04:002007-10-31T10:28:00.000-04:00The system is bad. Agents, good, bad or indiffere...The system is bad. <BR/><BR/>Agents, good, bad or indifferent, work on spec. They put in hours of free labor, and even if there's a sale, fifteen percent of the average sale doesn't compensate adequately for what a writer expects in terms of service.<BR/><BR/>How can you expect Nora Roberts' level service if you generate a $1000. book advance, and paid your agent $150. of this?<BR/><BR/>It makes sense that if agents catch a whiff of a manuscript that might be a "big" book, they're going to leap, especially if others have the manuscript. Even agents gotta eat.<BR/><BR/>It's the only system in place, and it sucks.<BR/><BR/>There's got to be a better way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-92014305757546000662007-10-31T10:10:00.000-04:002007-10-31T10:10:00.000-04:00The question is, do I have the guts to "reject" a ...<I>The question is, do I have the guts to "reject" a good agent if it is the only offer if I get a bad vibe about it? </I><BR/><BR/>Chessie I HEARTILY disagree.....to continue your analogy, do you really want to go to the prom with the guy who has sweaty hands and picks his nose? NO NO NOOOOOOO <BR/><BR/>I recently had this conversation with a friend who met an agent this last weekend at a conference. She said she didn't really think this particular agent was the one for her but if she offered...and I said to her what I'm saying to you...DONT DO IT! This writing life is hard enough without a bad agent fit dragging you down.Queen Bitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04739661689209063345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-51982887595313515622007-10-31T10:05:00.000-04:002007-10-31T10:05:00.000-04:00I have to agree entirely with what Christie said, ...I have to agree entirely with what Christie said, in her own inimitable style! And to take her analogy even farther, (further? WHEN will I get those straight? Thank goodness for copy editors!)there is a definite honeymoon period followed by the reality of marriage. I was lucky enough to find an agent who is a good match for my rather warped personality, but there are so many intangibles that make an author/agent relationship work--very much the same as a marriage. And, as with any long term relationship, it takes work from BOTH parties, but when it does work, it's wonderful.Kate Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486916548114546095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82021352578087013172007-10-31T09:58:00.001-04:002007-10-31T09:58:00.001-04:00I think that what this comes down to is that agent...I think that what this comes down to is that agents are asked to be the "Gatekeepers" for the industry, and the resulting workload is simply unreasonable for them to sift through.<BR/><BR/>The process of identifying talent is left to a few sentences, which really doesn't make any sense at all. Identificaton and development of talent are one in the same.<BR/><BR/>In baseball, this is handled through the Minor League system. An agent's role is not as large, and therefor they can do it well. There are coaches that handle the rest.<BR/><BR/>In the current system, people who (for whatever reason) are hellbent on being a published author won't wait for the right agent. If you get your foot in one door, after many years of knocking, you won't take it out. It doesn't matter if it's the right agent or not, really. Getting an audience with one is very difficult to start with.<BR/><BR/>I think that things are broken enough that it is essential for us to start to think about what tasks are essential and who can do them the best. The system as we know it has produced a rather sick industry. Someone is going to shake it up one way or the other eventually.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com