Do I really need an agent?

jomo · Sep 11, 2005

Does anybody know of an inexpensive editor?

I need an editor bad but can't afford one. Does anybody know where ican find one that has a payment plan?

Jomo

azbikergirl · Sep 11, 2005

By now the second and/or third book should be done. Maybe you can start sending queries out for those. When you land an agent for the later books, you can say "oh by the way, I have this other book you might also be interested in."

LightShadow · Sep 11, 2005

absolutely you should have an agent! First of all, any publisher worth publishing your work will not look at your work (aside via slush pile which is like trying to win a drawing against a horde of other writers) unless you are represented by an agent. Second, they (agents) will have insights into the business that you don't and editing assistance that you may have overlooked. A friend of mine went through 250 queries before he found an agent. Now he has a 3 book deal with a six digit advance. I'm not saying that if you get an agent you'll get an advance like that, but the chances of you getting published and receiving the deal of a lifetime go way up with an agent. Besides, if you land one and you don't like their performance, fire them and find another. With a proper query letter and a story that grabs their attention, you can get an agent. Please, oh please, don't receive a dozen rejection letters and give up. Rejection is a part of the game and only the persistent, with a little luck thrown in, get published with a worthy deal. Good luck, and we'll be seeing you on the other side of the rainbow.

KTC · Sep 11, 2005

Lightshadow is correct. Rejection slips are badges of courage. You're on your way if you rejection slips to show that you are playing the game. Remember an agent will take work that they think is tight and marketable. If you show them your best work and it is something they can stand behind, something they think they can sell, they will take you on. Once that step is done, they will go the distance to try to sell your MS. Just don't pay them in advance. If they are looking for up front cash, walk away. They grab you up because of your potential to make them money. This means you must put your best foot forward. Make sure your manuscript is tight.

cwfgal · Sep 11, 2005

jomo said:
I have been trying to seek representation for an agent for over two years for my completed novel and have not been successful. Should I just go ahead and try to land a publisher since some don't rquire an agent or should I just keep on looking for an agent?

Jomo

What kind of novel have you written? Certain genres have a better chance of finding success with a publisher sans agent than others. Still, the wait time is usually much longer with a publisher and I personally feel having an agent is the best way to go. If you do strike gold and get an offer from a publisher, it's then relatively easy to get an agent and I would advise doing so.

Before making the decision, take some time to review your ms with a jaundiced eye to make sure it's truly as good as you can get it.

Beth

victoriastrauss · Sep 11, 2005

cwfgal said:
What kind of novel have you written? Certain genres have a better chance of finding success with a publisher sans agent than others.

This is true--romance, for instance.

In my opinion, you need an agent if you want to publish adult fiction with an imprint of one of the large publishing houses. There are still some imprints that will accept unagented work, but they give it very low priority. The person looking at your submission probably won't be an editor, and it may take as much as a year (or even longer) for you to hear back.

If you're willing to approach independent publishers, you can go unagented (at least until you get a contract offer--you should never sign a publishing contract without getting qualified advice). Many independent publishers are used to dealing directly with authors.

Do research the independent publisher first, however, to be sure it's able to get its books into brick-and-mortar stores, where most people still do their bookbuying. There are many that can't accomplish this.

- Victoria

Jamesaritchie · Sep 11, 2005

Agent

jomo said:
I have been trying to seek representation for an agent for over two years for my completed novel and have not been successful. Should I just go ahead and try to land a publisher since some don't rquire an agent or should I just keep on looking for an agent?

Jomo

In my experience, it is usually easier to find a good agent to represent you than it is to find a good publisher who will look at your novel without an agent.

In other words, if something about your novel is making agent after agent say no, that same something will almost certainly make any good publisher say no. A novel that can't find an agent is also unlikely to find a publisher. At least a publisher of any size and reputation.

In two years time, you should have written at least one more novel, and probably two. Very few writers get it right the first time around. It's more often the second, third, or sixth completed novel that sells.

Keep sending this novel out, if you like, but get cracking on the next. Spending too much time trying to sell one novel when you should be finishing the next has delayed the start of many careers, often by many years.

When you write a novel that's right, you won;t have much trouble finding an agent who wants to represent it.

zarch · Sep 12, 2005

What James and others are saying is very true, jomo...gotta keep writing. I'm finally starting to get some nibbles...and it's my third book. And while trying to find an agent with that book, I'm writing my fourth. After writing another book or two, you'll see your first attempt in a whole new light and will likely be able to make the necessary changes that will tilt it more toward marketable.

David McAfee · Sep 12, 2005

That's all good advice, but I have yet to find an agent, either. The problem is I can't get any of them to look at the work. I send a query letter and get back a form rejection from an agent who hasn't even read the first paragraph. At least a publisher will read the first sentence or two before they tell me "No thanks".

aruna · Sep 12, 2005

You need to write a killer query. Research your agents, find out what they like, and write a query to match their taste. For instance, this is what agent jenny Bent says about query letters:

http://www.jennybent.com/letter/index.html

aka eraser · Sep 12, 2005

David McAfee said:
That's all good advice, but I have yet to find an agent, either. The problem is I can't get any of them to look at the work. I send a query letter and get back a form rejection from an agent who hasn't even read the first paragraph. At least a publisher will read the first sentence or two before they tell me "No thanks".

David, it sounds like your query might need more finetuning. If the bait doesn't look and smell appetizing - the fish aren't gonna bite.

aruna · Sep 12, 2005

aruna said:
You need to write a killer query. Research your agents, find out what they like, and write a query to match their taste. For instance, this is what agent jenny Bent says about query letters:

http://www.jennybent.com/letter/index.html

And may I ask a question of my own here? I am currently looking up US agents who like multicuotural novels, and this is one who vcame up on my search. On the above page, she says (my emphasis):

I am currently looking for literary fiction and literary nonfiction in the areas of memoir, history, and biography. I am particularly interested in multicultural topics and women's issues.

But on the same page, she says she does not want any more unsolicited submissions. I assume a query letter does not count?

Cathy C · Sep 12, 2005

Generally, "submissions" means chapters, synopses or manuscripts. A query is a query, and agents are usually pretty clear if they're not accepting queries. Go ahead and send it.

Jamesaritchie · Sep 12, 2005

query

David McAfee said:
That's all good advice, but I have yet to find an agent, either. The problem is I can't get any of them to look at the work. I send a query letter and get back a form rejection from an agent who hasn't even read the first paragraph. At least a publisher will read the first sentence or two before they tell me "No thanks".

You should still write as many novels as possible, but in your case, the query might be the problem.

The problem with pubishers is that, no, they may not read word one before saying no thanks. Many publishers also like to be queried, and others may not read anything just because you mail it to them. And even if something is read, it may be by someone who was a janitor three days ago. Many a manuscript is sent packing because of slush parties where any warm body that passes within range is dragged into the game.

I'd suggest two things. 1. Learn to write a query letter that's better in every way, from appearance to content. When agent after agent after agent keeps saying no to a query letter, that query letter has a serious problem or four. 2. Look for agents that will accept sample chapter instead of a query letter. Quite a few such agents exist, even if they don't advertise it in the guidelines.

David McAfee · Sep 12, 2005

Jamesaritchie said:
You should still write as many novels as possible, but in your case, the query might be the problem.

The problem with pubishers is that, no, they may not read word one before saying no thanks. Many publishers also like to be queried, and others may not read anything just because you mail it to them. And even if something is read, it may be by someone who was a janitor three days ago. Many a manuscript is sent packing because of slush parties where any warm body that passes within range is dragged into the game.

I'd suggest two things. 1. Learn to write a query letter that's better in every way, from appearance to content. When agent after agent after agent keeps saying no to a query letter, that query letter has a serious problem or four. 2. Look for agents that will accept sample chapter instead of a query letter. Quite a few such agents exist, even if they don't advertise it in the guidelines.

I know, James, I know. And you are right, of course. Doggone it, though, writing the book was simple compared to trying to write the query, at least for me.

Cathy C · Sep 12, 2005

That's because a query letter isn't a novel. It's like comparing apples to cats. You'll do better if you try to pretend that you're sending the letter to an attorney instead of an agent/editor. Get the point across, short and crisp, and then move on. Give the base details about size and genre, and then explain the plot in a paragraph. Close with please and thank you and it's done. I like queries. They're a lot easier for me than the actual BOOK!

Ray Dillon · Sep 12, 2005

I've read before that you don't really need an agent until after you've had a few books published, though.

Hmm ... wish I could remember where I read that. I just remember it being a reliable source.

SJB · Sep 12, 2005

Ray Dillon said:
I've read before that you don't really need an agent until after you've had a few books published, though.

Hmm ... wish I could remember where I read that. I just remember it being a reliable source.

Possibly you were referring to this rather old article by Stephen King, Ray?

Everything You Need To Know About Writing Successfully - In Ten Minutes

Ray Dillon · Sep 12, 2005

Nope. That wasn't it, but I'll definitely read that. Thanks!

I'm thinking it was actually in a Writer's Market book ... hmm ... I'll keep thinking.

katdad · Sep 12, 2005

David McAfee said:
That's all good advice, but I have yet to find an agent, either. The problem is I can't get any of them to look at the work. I send a query letter and get back a form rejection from an agent who hasn't even read the first paragraph. At least a publisher will read the first sentence or two before they tell me "No thanks".

Would you please post a copy of your standard query? Maybe something we can help with...

And yes, it certainly helps loads if you have an agent. Not absolutely necessary, but a big boost.

Let's have a look at your query, please.

David McAfee · Sep 13, 2005

katdad said:
Would you please post a copy of your standard query? Maybe something we can help with...

And yes, it certainly helps loads if you have an agent. Not absolutely necessary, but a big boost.

Let's have a look at your query, please.

I posted it in the Share Your Work section (horror) about a month ago.

oswann · Sep 13, 2005

SJB said:
Possibly you were referring to this rather old article by Stephen King, Ray?

Everything You Need To Know About Writing Successfully - In Ten Minutes

I pay particular attention to number eight.

Os.

Jamesaritchie · Sep 13, 2005

SJB said:
Possibly you were referring to this rather old article by Stephen King, Ray?

Everything You Need To Know About Writing Successfully - In Ten Minutes

I believe this is an excellent article, full of great information. But the rule about agents is badly outdated. Not so many years ago you could sell a novel as easily without an agent as with one, even to some of the largest publishers. This is no longer true. Doubleday, where King sold his first novel, won't even look at a query now, let alone a manuscript.

Ray Dillon · Sep 13, 2005

Jamesaritchie said:
I believe this is an excellent article, full of great information. But the rule about agents is badly outdated. Not so many years ago you could sell a novel as easily without an agent as with one, even to some of the largest publishers. This is no longer true. Doubleday, where King sold his first novel, won't even look at a query now, let alone a manuscript.

Wow. Really?! Well, maybe I'd better start looking more seriously into having an agent.

Good topic!

JustinoXXV · Sep 25, 2005

www.agentquery.com lists what agents deal with what genres.

Do I really need an agent?

jomo

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