WHY DO I NEED AN AGENT

WHY DO I NEED AN AGENT A reader recently asked me to write about the advantages and disadvantages of having a literary agent. She didnt think she wanted an agent, but wasnt sure whether that was a good decision or not. If I did write about agents, it was a long, long time ago. Im all for them, but the downside is that it slows things down as you land one, and they do take a cut of your profits. But . . . they know more about the business than we do. They have connections we dont. They open doors we never thought of. They make us step up our writing to a higher calibre. Some writers have placed the nickname gatekeeper to agents and editors who send rejection letters; like gatekeeper is a bad thing. Anytime someone is in a position to reject you, youre tempted to take it personally and become inclined to dislike them. However, if you are selected What does an agent do for you? Help edit your work. Of course your work has to be pretty great to start with, but an agent can make suggestions from experience and know-how of the marketplace that will take your writing to a higher level. Target editors and publishers. Other than study a Writers Market or search websites, how do you know what a publisher seeks these days? They dont readily shoot desires out on Twitter or alter their guidelines webpage weekly. Agents, however, groom relationships with these editors. TheY understand what editors seek in the short term and the long term. Negotiate a contract. What do you know about rights? Print rights, electronic, audio, foreign, film, the list is long. As a lone artist, do you understand how to negotiate all these rights? If you dont have an agent, do you know the logistics, pros and cons of holding or signing over these rights? While giving up rights sounds scary, in reality, you could be placing your work in hands that know what they are doing and can greatly increase your chances of landing an audio book or a television show. Do you know what are good ebook royalty rates? Problem solving. If the publisher gets hung up on a bad cover or wants editorial changes that infuriate you, an agent can play middle man and help smooth out wrinkles. Marketing consultation. Agents may be able to recommend great venues for your promotional efforts. They might know what works and what doesnt. They might make introductions to opportunities you never imagined. They have been in this business to earn a living and have been around the block more than most of us. Use that expertise. Nathan Bransford has a nice clear blog post on what an agent does. Heres another post on why an agent is needed, from a sci-fi And heres yet another from the Jane Chelius Literary Agency, which applies to all agents across the board. Author Scott Nicholson explains why you need an agent. When you may NOT need to seek an agent? When self-publishing. When seeking a smaller press. When familiar with rights and contracts. When writing short stories. I used an agent for a smaller press, to improve my odds for a contract. I was fairly familiar with rights, but wasnt completely grounded in the knowledge. I also wanted that buffer between the publishing house and me, using someone who had a firmer grasp on the industry, who could spot a deal and a scam with no hesitation. Yes, I am a fan of agents, but it depends on your goals, experience, knowledge base, and desires whether you use one or not. No, they arent easy to land, but having one can improve your odds . . . depends on what youre gambling on.