ANOTHER WORD ABOUT AGENTS

by Karen Elizabeth Rigley

My Texas collaborator, Ann Miller House, and I have written a number of articles about agents in the past. We've tried to be fair and cover various issues, plus let other authors learn from our mistakes. Whether we write about how to choose a literary agent, how to work with the agent to an author; some basic truths always surface:

A bad agent hurts a writer far worse than no agent at all.

A good agent enhances a writer's career and frees the author to focus on creating instead of business.

A great agent can propel a "secure" career to dizzying and profitable heights.

An agent must admire your work to successfully market your work.

Agents are people, too.

Believe me. It might save you heartache and wasted opportunities. A bad agent cost us years and many rungs up the career ladder. Since then we've worked with several good agents on various projects, but have shied away from an agent of own. As of this writing, that is.

Though people who know us may faint, we're considering getting another agent. (Despite the fact that we kill off an agent in CAT MOVES.) This time we hope to acquire a great agent, but will settle for a good agent who's comfortable with our wide spectrum of projects. Though we're etching our way in science fiction and fantasy, our work ranges from romance to humor to SF/F to mystery, short stories to novels, nonfiction to scriptwriting.

So? Can't any agent handle anything? Don't count on it. Agents have specialities, just like writers do.

Example: There's an agent who knows the historical romance market so well that if she suggests a manuscript rewrite to one of her authors, you can bet every point covered will be exactly what the targetted editor wants. Just don't expect that agent to be as familiar with fantasy editors. That's not her field of expertise.

You'll often discover that an agent handling novels may not be able to represent screenplays, or an agent who handles horror may scoff at your young adult romance, or an agent dealing in nonfiction may refuse fiction. Agents narrow their focus out of necessity. The publishing world is immense, volatile, constantly changing and difficult for even the best agents to track. A writer not only needs to find a trustworthy and compatible agent, but one tuned to the author's field. You need an agent willing and able to handle your projects or you'll still end up doing your own marketing.

There comes a certain point in a writer's career where an agent becomes invaluable -- a good agent (or a great agent). This happens when an author is selling, but the business side of writing washes out the creative side. You must weigh priorities. You sacrifice business control to some degree, but the effective agent provides freedom for an author to write. And writing is usually what a writer does best.

How can you avoid a bad agent? If you don't, it becomes a nightmare. The best protection is information. Listen to warnings online or from writers organizations. Listen to editors -- often they will suggest an agent they like. Talk to authors the agent has represented. Past and present clients. Read everything available by or about the agent. Don't fork out money to scam artists. Don't naively believe silver-tongue stories. If you're concerned about honesty or submissions -- check it out. Ask for copies of correspondence or financial statements.

It's important to deal with an agent you respect and who respects you. Since agents are just people, sometimes their personalities clash with certain clients. If it happens, sever your ties. (Officially, in wriiting.) A negative relationship benefits no one. Find someone more compatible.

What good is an agent who doesn't believe in your work? Or won't return your phone calls? Or answer your queries? You need someone you can communicate with; someone whose goal is to make you a more successful writer. It benefits you both.

What do we glean from this complex mire? Easy: Agents need good writers and writers need good agents. Team the right agent with the right author and you find a career propelled toward success.

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