Canadian agents

Makyelin · Aug 29, 2010

So I'm from Canada, and from what research I've done, I understand that there are a limited number of Canadian agents and they are all very difficult to get published with. So is it worth my time to simply query american agents? I realize that usually an agent takes %15 from domestic clients and %20 international clients; does this change if I have an american citizenship, even though I'm living in Canada? I may be mistaken on a few of these details, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

KTC · Aug 29, 2010

You don't get 'published' with an agent.

Research your agents and query the ones you feel you will fit best with, whether they're American or Canadian.

Makyelin · Aug 29, 2010

Ok, sorry, I know you don't get published with agents. I just mispoke (or mistyped?). But thanks for the advice.

Ryan_Sullivan · Aug 29, 2010

Your citizenship doesn't really matter--it's about them working (or co-agenting) in places that are foreign to them. I don't know much about agents from different countries, but in general, you could probably query either, unless your book is much better for one country's market. If you decide you want an American agent, you shouldn't have a problem, nor should you with a Canadian agent.

Kathleen42 · Aug 29, 2010

Makyelin said:
I realize that usually an agent takes %15 from domestic clients and %20 international clients; does this change if I have an american citizenship, even though I'm living in Canada? I may be mistaken on a few of these details, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Are you talking about an agent's take on domestic sales vs foreign sales? That shouldn't have anything to do with where you, yourself are located (at least as far as I know--guys, feel free to jump in and correct me).

I agree with KTC about the best fit. And, as Ryan indicated, you can certainly sign with an agent in either country. Lots of Canadian authors have agents in the US and plenty of others choose to go with Canadian agents.

Makyelin · Aug 30, 2010

Ok sweet. Thanks everyone. This really helps.

AngelaA · Aug 30, 2010

I have a Canadian agent and being in Canada doesn't limit her in any way. She sells her clients books in the US and abroad.

Personally, I like have a Canadian agent, not only can I meet with her for lunch to have person to person chats but she really knows her stuff.

Don't discount the Canadians...there are some gems out there that have a very impressive list.

Barber · Aug 30, 2010

I'm a Canadian with an American agency. The only hurdle I reached was what to fill out as my Tax ID# on the contract, since we don't have that here. We have a SIN, which is our version of SSN, but nothing for Tax ID#.

The boss man at the agency said we'll sort that out when we make the sale.

But other than that, there's no difference. Writers have agents on the opposite side of the globe from them.

Canadian agents

Makyelin

Deus Ex Machina

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Makyelin

Deus Ex Machina

Ryan_Sullivan

Agented YA Writer

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

Makyelin

Deus Ex Machina

AngelaA

Are we there yet?

Barber

Timing is everything...