Which one to choose??

justAnotherWriter · Apr 27, 2010

Say you had a choice between two agents...a fairly new agent at a big time agency with just a handful of sales or an independent agent with an impressive sales record?

Say you liked them both, and both understood your work and wanted to take you in what you thought was the right direction, and you got along with both and both were very nice people.

Which would you pick?

Wayne K · Apr 27, 2010

Impressive sales record

Lucy · Apr 27, 2010

Impressive sales record. In your genre.

skippingstone · Apr 27, 2010

Holy crap. Have you hacked my email? I don't know what to do either.

incognitopress · Apr 27, 2010

Big-time fancy agency name wouldn't mean diddly-squat to me so much if an inexperienced guy is negotiating the sale. Someone inexperienced is going to be green, unless mentored specifically by a bigger name in the agency. For that reason alone, I'd go with the guy who is personally experienced and more knowledgeable in making sales. The guy you can go to with questions, the one who's been around the block a few times.
That is, all things being equal - like both being nice, easy to talk to, etc.
Other thing is, the impressive sales-record guy might be on friendly terms with an editor at a publishing house and know how to sell them better than a guy who doesn't know anybody.
I've been in this situation. Don't make the mistake I did.

cate townsend · Apr 27, 2010

Go with your gut.

shaldna · Apr 28, 2010

Impressive sales record in my primary genre and interest in branching out to my secondary genres.

justAnotherWriter · Apr 28, 2010

Thanks everyone.

My gut says it has no idea what it is doing.

ink wench · Apr 28, 2010

I'm assuming you've asked them both about edits they want you to do, career goals and guidance, communication styles, sub plans, what happens if the book doesn't sell, etc.? And you've talked to current clients to get their feedback?

While an impressive sales record is good, it also means you could end up a small fish in a big pond.

New agents at established agencies have their advantages too - they will have more time for their clients, both for doing edits and following ups with editors, and can/will be more aggressive about making sales. If the agency is a good one and well established, the newer agent will have that power behind her too, and all the agencies resources to draw on.

Just offering up a different opinion here since I've been repped by a well established and a newer agent.

kellion92 · Apr 28, 2010

Skippingstone and Justanotherwriter, congratulations! It's good to have tough choices.

I have a newer agent as well. I think that if they're involved with a good agency and are a good fit, this can be a great choice. You will likely be a higher priority, especially for editing or bouncing off ideas, if that's something that's important to you.

A big agent who is independent may not have time to offer that support. S/he could also be the right choice, but there are others here who have felt neglected by agents in this position, especially if they don't sell right away.

stormie · Apr 28, 2010

Me--I'd go with someone more established in the industry. They know more editors, they have a better feeling for what's selling and what's not, and how your ms. will fit and where.

But, that's just my two cents.

skippingstone · Apr 28, 2010

My gut has pretty much already made up its mind. But everything I read says to give it a few days before signing on the dotted line. So that's where I am. It is, as they say, a nice problem to have.

And sorry, justanotherwriter, didn't mean to crash your thread. Best of luck to you.

YAwriter72 · Apr 28, 2010

Well, I had the big name independent agent and found that being a small fish in a huge pond was not at all for me. I much prefer the relationship with my newer agent at a well established agency, but you have to do what feels best for you! Good luck!

An aside, just because the agent is somewhat new does not mean they have no contacts. I have gotten better and FASTER personalized feedback with my current sub and new agent than I did when my old established agent subbed.

Miss Plum · Apr 28, 2010

ink wench said:
I'm assuming you've asked them both about edits they want you to do, career goals and guidance, communication styles, sub plans, what happens if the book doesn't sell, etc.? And you've talked to current clients to get their feedback?

Whoa whoa whoa, we may have meat for another whole thread here. These are all things one should ask an agent before accepting an offer of representation? What comes under "etc"?

Twizzle · Apr 28, 2010

YAwriter72 said:
Well, I had the big name independent agent and found that being a small fish in a huge pond was not at all for me.

I wanted to quote this to show exactly how important it is to really understand how individualized this whole thing is...you have to know what's best for YOU. Each option has its pros and cons. But one may well suit you better. The key is really understanding yourself and what you need. And of course, agents are people too. Some you just mesh with better.

My point, I had the flip exp as YAwriter. We're both happy now, it seems.

So, the ques is more what is best for you and your book, what is most important, and only you know that.

YAwriter72 · Apr 28, 2010

Twizzle said:
Each option has its pros and cons. But one may well suit you better. The key is really understanding yourself and what you need. And of course, agents are people too. Some you just mesh with better.

My point, I had the flip exp as YAwriter. We're both happy now, it seems.

So, the ques is more what is best for you and your book, what is most important, and only you know that.

QFT!!!

Which one to choose??

justAnotherWriter

Wayne K

Lucy

sky with diamonds

skippingstone

Bouncing Atop the Water

incognitopress

cate townsend

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

justAnotherWriter

ink wench

ray of motherf#%&ing sunshine

kellion92

A cat may not look at a king

stormie

storm central

skippingstone

Bouncing Atop the Water

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride

Miss Plum

Twizzle

Cluck that.

YAwriter72

someone let me off this crazy ride