Questions about Agents - Writers Forum

Shadowa · 12-26-2005, 11:33 AM

Hey guys,

I thought I was just about ready to send my book off to publishers, but then I realized that I have several questions about that illusive creature called the AGENT. Here they are:

How much does it cost to have an agent?
What are the pro's and con's of having an agent?
What, exactly, does an agent do?
How can you find an agent?

Thanks!
~Shadowa

AdrienneW · 12-26-2005, 03:12 PM

I would like to ad one question myself to yours if you don't mind.

Why kind of query letter should you send an agent? Any ideas? Thanks

journyman161 · 12-26-2005, 03:35 PM

My advice to both of you is to click on advanced search & enter agent for the text & click on Publishing & Publishers for the forum to search - I got 32 results. You could try the same for 'query' - then if you don't get an answer from there, you can at least refine your questions a little - most of us have had the questions when we begin to seriously contemplate getting published.
Note: Please don't take this as me being rude to you - just trying to help. The info is there & you can find it OK?

Nickie · 12-27-2005, 04:36 AM

What does an agent do?

Well, he'll try and sell your book to the highest bidder. Usually, he'll get about 15% on your royalties.

Pro's and contra's?

Pro: having an agent can be very helpful. You can just concentrate on writing, the agent will do the rest.
Contra: finding an agent is as difficult as finding a publisher (I should say, even more difficult). And you have to pay them.

Nickie

Adrienne · 12-29-2005, 10:58 AM

Your query letter for an agent is basically the same as your query letter to a publisher; one pager. Only difference is you're requesting representation.

As for pros, and agent can get your manuscript into publishing houses that don't otherwise accept submissions, ie Ballantine, St. Martin's Press etc. Cons, I guess that depends on what you're looking for. They do take a percentage of your royalties; and while under contract, you cannot submit the work yourself, you have to completely hand your rights over to them. If you get a good agent that gives you feedback and stays in touch as far as the status of your manuscript, it can be a positive experience.

Icywind · 12-29-2005, 12:26 PM

Great question.

1) Remember....YOU'RE the one that hire's the agent...the agent doesn't hire you.

Agents are your customers...their job is exposing your work, sending it to publishers for consideration, sorting out legal contracts like your Serial Rights, and helping you on your manuscript.

You do have to send in a query for an agent,and it may take weeks for a response...but I HIGHLY suggest an agent if you're doing something more than self publishing.

2)The pro's of haveing an agent is that they'll help you on your manuscript...schedule book club meetings for you so your book can get exposed....settle binding contracts with publishers..and be your best book fan!!

I mean, the agent will get PAID only if YOU get paid.

He or she will either get a 10% to 15% cut of the royalties you assign on your book...but in the long run...and agent will bid on your book price so that you'll get the best deal possible.

Cons? Well...if your book doesn't sell well, and your agent is sapping up the remnants of your minor paycheck...then I guess it's time to fire someone^-^.

3) Again an agent reviews your manuscript, talks to PUBLISHERS for consideration, protects your serial rights on the book like movie rights, makes sure the contract is beneficial to you, and makes sure you're getting the best deal for your book.

4) If you're looking for an agent...I suggest you google an agency for your genre.

All in all, I think you should try to find an agent.

I mean, you're no legal guru, so you may find yourself in a hole to deep to dig out of from the publisher's contract.

Mike C · 12-29-2005, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickie

Well, he'll try and sell your book to the highest bidder. Usually, he'll get about 15% on your royalties.

Contra: finding an agent is as difficult as finding a publisher (I should say, even more difficult). And you have to pay them.

Nickie

What Nickie fails to mention is that without an agent, none of the top publishing houses will ever get a sniff of your work. Publishers use agents like a filter. If an agent is confident the work is good enough for them to spend time and money selling it, the publisher can be reasonably sure the MS is worth a read.

And you do not pay an agent. They take a percentage of your royalties - if you earn nothing, they earn nothing; Also, any agent worth their salt will get you a deal (if you are worth yours) at least 15% better than you could get yourself. If you take writing seriously, you cannot function without an agent.

Shadowa · 12-29-2005, 01:21 PM

Thanks guys! Very helpful.
~Shadowa

Shade53 · 12-29-2005, 01:39 PM

when looking for an agent - get the current Writer's Market and then hit Preditors & Editors and the Absolute Write forums - ask hard questions and don't be afraid to ask the agents you look at for listings of their current clientele... more information is good when it comes to that.

~S

Shadowa · 12-29-2005, 01:50 PM

Hmm...what do you mean by 'hard questions'?

Icywind · 12-29-2005, 04:26 PM

Hard questions like how successful their latest clients were, what was the average fee they were able to compromise with the publishers, and if they think that YOUR book will succeed.

They'll be honest of course because if they didn't have good writers, they wouldn't have jobs.

Julianne · 12-30-2005, 08:57 AM

The very first "hard question" I would ask an agent is, "what have you sold?" Too many sham agents promise the moon and provide no results.

Mike C · 12-30-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icywind

Hard questions like how successful their latest clients were, what was the average fee they were able to compromise with the publishers, and if they think that YOUR book will succeed.

They'll be honest of course because if they didn't have good writers, they wouldn't have jobs.

Will my book succeed isn't a hard question for them. If they don't think it will, they won't touch you with a bargepole.

Icywind · 12-30-2005, 05:13 PM

Has anyone ever had an agent?

mammamaia · 01-01-2006, 01:16 AM

i have... but i gave up writing commercially just as he was on the verge of selling a screenplay and a novel... i switched to writing philosophy and doing nothing for money, so simon was understandably upset... but, since he believed passionately in my work and had encouraged me to continue the new stuff, he couldn't really complain...