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We’ve been hearing all sorts of agent stories here on the Lil’ Blog this week. Mine isn’t nearly as exciting as CR’s, or as amazing as Don’s. My work with agents has been more in the traditional vein.
When I wrote my first historical romance (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), I started marketing it myself. Why? Well, I pretty much didn’t know any better. I was new to the business and did what I thought I was supposed to do. I have the rejection letters to prove it.
Then I saw an ad in a romance writers’ magazine for a new agency. Even a beginner like me knew that new agent = hungry. I wrote a query, submitted chapters, got accepted and signed on the dotted line.
And for four years, that agent was good for me. In fact, she sold 11 books in that time. All was right with the world–until she took all my money.
It would take too long to explain the entire experience. Let’s just say it was a hard, hard lesson. And it should be a hard, hard lesson for every other writer out there, too. Do your homework before you find an agent. Ask questions. Email writers. Look on an agent’s website to see who that agent represents. Then write to those people. Listen to gossip, there is often a kernal of truth in it. Go to conferences. Meet agents in person. Talk to them. Will it prevent a disaster like the one that happened to me? Probably not, but at least you’ll feel as if you’ve done your part.
I did have that agent arrested for embezzlement, by the way. That in itself was an interesting experience. After that . . . well, after that, I went unagented for a year or so. When I decided to hop back into the agent pool, I was very cautious. Maybe too cautious. I had a series of agents (three to be exact) who were honest–and pretty much useless. They were reactive rather than proactive and in this business, reactive just isn’t enough.
Did I learn another lesson? Oh yeah, a bad agent is worse than no agent. That’s important to remember.
Now I am with agent #5, have been for about 4 years. And I’m as happy as the proverbial clam. My current agent is proactive, savvy and her agency (Folio Literary Management) offers services to clients that I’ve never heard of other agencies offering. Like publicity seminars. And a speakers’ bureau. In other words, they are involved in not only selling the book to the publisher, but in making it a success after. And that, believe me, is unusual.
Do I have any words of advice as far as agents? Well, like I said, be careful and do your homework. Pay attention to what an agent says and what an agent does. Sure, you’re turning over your business affairs to that person, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep track of what’s happening and why. Ask questions. Get answers. And if you’re not getting answers . . . get another agent!
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Boy, you have been through the wars!
In talks and in my classes, I always tell people to select agents very carefully.
In fact, I think it’s important to choose agents who are physically connected to the publishing industry. Living and working in the New York area. It’s my experience that agents and editors work very closely together. They have lunch. Socialize. Many agents are former editors themselves. They work together on each others’ careers. Editors work with agents they know, like and trust. Agents send manuscripts to editors they know, like and trust. It’s a very small world.
If an agent lives in Oklahoma, ask yourself, how many lunches does this person have with editors? That’s not saying an agent from Oklahoma might not be fine, but you’ve got to play the odds.
Okay, Casey, now tell me that your agent is from Oklahoma.
by C.R.
on March 19th, 2008 at 6:56 am
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I’m pretty sure I’ve never met an agent from Oklahoma!
by Casey
on March 19th, 2008 at 7:01 am
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Boy, Casey, that’s quite an experience.
When I was actively shopping for an agent, I received a phone call from a so-called agent in the midwest. Boy did she sound legit. She went on for 15 minutes about the potential of my novel (of course she only had 3 chapters). She played the game coyly, a little hard to get. She suggested a few tweaks and waited for my responses. Then said something about me being the type of open-minded client she liked to work with.
Well, to make a long story short, it was a scam. I recognized it before I committed anything and did a little research on Preditors and Editors. She wanted almost $2,000 retainer for a year. YES, she even had a payment plan.
Of course, she quoted all sorts of clients, none that I nor Amazon have ever heard of. I could certainly see how more naive authors could have fallen into her web.
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Casey, why is it that it’s nine-thirty and you and I are the only ones up and working?
Could it be they have agents that don’t provide wake-up calls like ours do?
by C.R.
on March 19th, 2008 at 8:32 am
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I’ve enjoyed the posts this week. I’m gratified to see I’m not the only one who’s had agent problems. I’m in the process of looking for my second agent. My first agent had an illness in her family and couldn’t concentrate on her business. We decided it was better to part than leave me in limbo for who knows how long.
The funny thing is that last year I was on a Finding an Agent panel at a small conference, so now I get to put all my own advice to use!
by Joyce
on March 19th, 2008 at 8:41 am
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Wifred, thanks for mentioning Predators & Editors. For those of you agent shopping, it’s a great place to start looking into various agents’ reputations.
And yes, CR, I did get my wake-up call from my agent this morning. Along with the usual visit from the butler with my morning juice and tea.
by Casey
on March 19th, 2008 at 8:45 am
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C.R., was that snide comment about not being up and working directed partly at me? : ) I’ll have you know I was up at 6:15 working my other job — getting my son up and ready for school. And my daughter is home from school today, so my job today is as Mommy!
Okay, now that I’ve defended myself…
Joyce, it’s hard to lose an agent that you like to something like an illness. I wish you luck in finding a new one.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Casey. It’s always good to be reminded to watch out for the rotten apples.
by Judy
on March 19th, 2008 at 10:20 am
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Judy, I wasn’t being snide. Critical and judgemental, yes, but not snide. And it was directed TOTALLY at you. I know Don isn’t functionable until late afternoon, given that Ernest Hemingway lifestyle of his.
It just seems to me that our first obligation of the morning is to read the blog and offer a comment. Well, it’s okay to get your coffee first, but right after that comes the blog.
by C.R.
on March 19th, 2008 at 10:34 am
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Oh, okay. From now on I’ll tell my kids they have to wait for breakfast, clothes, and a good-bye kiss until I’ve checked in here. Since I don’t drink coffee, that will save some time.
by Judy
on March 19th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
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Judy…..CR is just trying to cover up his now famous situation!
But come on, Mommy Inc, what a cake walk!
Don’t you agree CR? (he told me so in a separate email)
Z
by Zorro
on March 19th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
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Ahhhh…just getting up. Let’s seem, C.R. is grumbling as usual, Zorro apparently has nothing witty to report, Judy is complaining about her kids, Casey is telling us how hard it is to be a millionaire, and Jeff as usual is having nothing to do with us.
To the matter at hand. Agents are like most business people. They gravitate to the easier money. Nothing wrong with that. If you don’t seem to be producing, they don’t concentrate all their efforts on your work. But…there are those agents ( I’ve only heard about them) that decide someone is going to be a big producer, and they push the heck out of that writer.
Phil Spitzer was a cab driver in New York and became James Lee Burke’s agent. He stopped his cab at every publisher’s office in New York and supposedly dropped off Burke’s first novel to 30 or 40 houses. Finally, he got a sale. Spitzer ( Michael Connelly, Jonathon King, Mickey Spillane, James Lee Burke, Alafair Burke,etc.) no longer drives cab.
And before C.R. jumps all over the Micky Spillane reference, I know,C.R., he’s dead. However, he still produces and I’m certain that Phil’s house in Amagansett is partially a result of his royalites.
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No response? Oh, I forgot. You guys all go to bed at eight p.m. It’s party time, bloggers. It’s 82 degrees, the pool is inviting, the Margaritas cold…you’re all invited. I’ll have your agents call you and wake you up.
DB
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Hey, Don, it’s ten after nine and I’m still up. I was at the university teaching my class. And, at the risk of you turning as green with envy as one of those parrots down there, we’re having another snow storm! Yeahhhhhh!
by C.R.
on March 19th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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Me to Don, I’m still up. And so is the Witch. She’s at a friend’s helping out. This person is in the final days of her life.
I can say this for sure…CR is right on again. We’ld all rather be there with you and the parrots and the pool and the drinks and the……but there is this slush storm going on here…..again!
The Witch was freeking driving to Shaker Hts in the storm. I had to stay back to get my son off to work.
And the weather lady said its officially spring in oh,,,, 2 or 3 hours.
I DON’T THINK SO!
Z
by Zorro
on March 19th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
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PS: Don, don’t call Casey’s agent. She just had a baby….and if you wake the baby you will be in deep dodo!
Even deeper dodo than me when I said that Mommy Inc, what a cake walk thing to Judy.
Boy, I’ll need to wear my Groucho Marx get up if I know Judy’s going to be close by…..like within 50 miles radius close by.
Bye-Bye
Z
by Zorro
on March 19th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
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