Really don't know what to do about my agent

Exact thing happened to me. I broke it off. I have the same feelings about it as a LOT of writers who leave their agents--I should have done it WAY sooner.

Just something to think about. There's no point in staying in a relationship that makes you unhappy.

But you should voice your concerns first.

KookyKat said:

Last autumn, my agent subbed by novel to 12 publishers – all the biggies and so far, nothing but Rs. After not hearing from him for a while, I called him a month ago and he said he’d chase those he hadn’t heard from (o really? A whole 5 months after you first subbed ‘em?) then go onto round 2 of subs. I’ve heard nothing from him since that call. He's a legitimate agent with a high profile YA writer on his list.

Obviously, there’s the fear his interest is waning. Not just the fear, I kind of deep-down know it’s what’s happening right now 'cos communication has dropped off significantly when it became obvious the biggies were saying no. He said no to the second book I wrote (fair enough reasons) but am now finishing up my third, which I’m excited about.

Where from here? I don’t feel I can justify breaking things off right now, it would seem rash. Sure, I could bring up my concerns but how without seeming over-paranoid? I'll be honest, I dream about finding a new agent for my WIP but I don't want to make rash decisions because we get on so well and he was so enthusiastic to start with.

Advice? Similar experiences and outcomes?

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Hells bells, this is exactly what I'm going through.

Just went through the EXACT scenario. EXACT. Am much happier with new agent now.

This sounds like a mare.

I went through almost the same thing with my now ex-agent. But mine stopped submitting my MG novel after only 12 publishers rejected it. And he had told me to completely change the second half of the novel. I regrettably did as I was told, instead of giving my input.

Then he passed on novel # 2 (after not wanting to see it until it was polished. Only asked to see the beginning and a brief synopsis first). Almost two years later I nicely ended the relationship. I just felt practically from the beginning, though, that we weren't a good match.

First, talk it out with the agent about those other publishers who haven't answered yet. See if he's really interested in book #3. Take a deep breath and think about what YOU feel in your gut you should do. And do you have a good working relationship with him or not.

KookyKat said:

YAWriter72, how did you break things off? At what point did you think 'this is the time to go?' Did you try to talk it out with them first, express your concerns? And did you have to 'work out' the contractual notice?

Seems like a lot of people are going through this right now.

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Sent you a PM with all the gory details.

How often do you think you should hear from your agent while on sub? I know, I know, this depends on the agent. Just interested in knowing your opinion...once a month? More? Less?

I think you should hear as and when they hear from publishers then check in with you if no news every 3-4 weeks.

Are there any agents out there who do this? Who don't give up communicating enthusiastically with their clients if first round of subs doesn't work or is that just a pipe dream?

KookyKat said:

Shady, did you break if off with agent who got you your Simon Pulse deal?

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I broke it off with the agent who sold BREAK. she stopped returning calls, didn't follow up on submissions of my second book, refused to submit my third to my SP editor after she requested it. I broke it off with her, subbed to my editor on my own, signed with a new agent (Brendan Deneen, who was an absolute doll but now he's off being an editor, damn him and his career moves ) and the editor made an offer on the book I submitted her about a week after. Brendan negotiated it into a 2 book deal and negotiated foreign and movie rights and shit I don't understand. Then he left, so I'm with Suzie Townsend now, and she's lovely. I haven't had ANY of the problems with Brendan or Suzie that I had with my first agent. She sold BREAK, and that was awesome, but after that everything just fell apart.

So the short answer is that I broke it off with the agent who made one of my Simon Pulse deals, haha.

Wow, that's just crazy Shady, why'd an agent who got you a good deal go and do that?

Sometimes an agent has things going on in their life and they get overwhelmed. Yes, we would like them to tell their clients, explain, be forthcoming, etc...but they are people. And people often think they'll be able to get everything back on track if only...

OP, my advice is to discuss with your agent the current book on sub - nail down what he is doing/plans to do, and, if his plan is concrete and a reasonable time period, see that through. Mainly because since it has already been subbed to 12 publishers, it's unlikely many other agents will take it on.

But if it were me I'd hold off on showing him book 3 or anything else, at least until you get some legal advice on your contract with him - specifically, how do you terminate it, what rights does he hold onto if you terminate it, how long does he hold onto those rights, etc.

Then, if you're not completely happy with the rest of subbing of book 1, once his actions on book 1 are done, take the steps you need to sever the relationship and find a new agent for books 2 and 3. BUT, you need to be very careful to get that advice and comply with the terms of your contract. And if it gives him rights to sell books 2 or 3, even if you terminate his representation, make sure you either comply with whatever terms are there, or negotiate with him to be released from those terms, if possible.

It may be that he's not happy with the relationship either and will happily release you from everything, if there are terms allowing him rights after termination. But you might need to hire an attorney to advise you and handle those negotiations, depending on your contract.

Overall, if your not happy, it's probably not going to be a good relationship down the road. But you need to make sure you make a reasonable and informed decision, and if you decide to terminate, take the proper steps to terminate it properly and comply with or negotiate a release from any post-termination terms.

good luck.

~suki

Let me ask you something. If this was ....say your house you had for sale and the agent did not get the job done....would you feel okay with changing agents? I think you would. House...car....any big item thing in your life should require you to stay in control of some things. IMHO this is the time to put on your big boy/girl shoes and do some walking. Your work stirred up interest once, I'm sure you can do it again. Best wishes and keep that chin up.

Just curious...not that I have an agent yet or even could get one, but if such a situation comes up, do you find getting a new agent easier, harder, or what?

Poetoffire said:

Just curious...not that I have an agent yet or even could get one, but if such a situation comes up, do you find getting a new agent easier, harder, or what?

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I had 3 offers of rep in under a month BUT I also had 18 R's and 1 on a full. I sent out 36 queries starting the day after I parted ways with my old agent. These are just my stats though, I have no idea how normal or abnormal they are!

TrixieLox said:

Wow, that's just crazy Shady, why'd an agent who got you a good deal go and do that? I wish agents would just be honest.

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It can be alot of reasons, from timing, personal lives, not feeling strongly enough about a writer, not likeing the direction the writers new stuff is going.

There's really no set reason why some sucessful professional relationships break down.

You know, this is a really interesting thread because although I am unagented, I have an agented friend who actually had something similar happen to her several months ago. Her agent seemed to "lose interest" or at the very least, lose momentum and she waited much too long to have a serious discussion about it. It is always in the back of her head that she wasted too much time - I would advise having a chat with your agent as soon as possible to avoid kicking yourself down the road. Good luck - I hope this works out for you. Once you get an agent you feel like you're home free. . .too bad things like this happen.

Poetoffire said:

Just curious...not that I have an agent yet or even could get one, but if such a situation comes up, do you find getting a new agent easier, harder, or what?

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I think it's easier to get a new agent if you've actually sold a book with your last agent.

Right now I don't know anyone who has had an agent who doesn't have a second agent. (I think that sentence makes sense)

And agents and authors parting ways seems pretty common, actually.

I don't know what I would do, but I find it amazing that you are even in this situation. You go GURL!!

I wish you all of the best. See you at the top.

What North said is true. It's very common--but still scary. Best of luck!!!

mcnorth said:

Right now I don't know anyone who has had an agent who doesn't have a second agent. (I think that sentence makes sense)

And agents and authors parting ways seems pretty common, actually.

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Except Ryan, but yeah.