Agents are wonderful things

badducky · Mar 17, 2006

If you don't have an agent, go find one.

They're amazing.

The headaches he is saving me, and the writing time he buys me for not having to worry about business-stuff are totally worth it.

So there's a minor hiccup with my pending book deal. I call the agent, we come up with a strategy for dealing with it (mostly his good ideas, too), and then he implements the strategy and I spend the rest of the day writing my next book. I know that this hiccup will get fixed. I know what I can do to fix it. That knowledge is priceless.

So, to all of you novelists out there that don't have an agent, let me say it one more time.

If you don't have an agent, go get one. A good one. They're amazing.

Julie Worth · Mar 17, 2006

Oh my goodness yes! I hadn't thought of that! I will get an agent first thing tomorrow.

blacbird · Mar 17, 2006

badducky said:
If you don't have an agent, go find one.

Finding an agent is no problem. I know right where they are. They pretty much all list their addresses in a host of reference books and websites.

The problem is, none of them want anything to do with me.

caw.

eldragon · Mar 17, 2006

Finally! A tip on getting published!

I think the only way I can get an agent is to kidnap one.

veinglory · Mar 17, 2006

I have a nice secure basement you can use if you nab one.

maestrowork · Mar 17, 2006

Try Agents R Us. Sheesh!

Daughter of Faulkner · Mar 17, 2006

I agree!

Great post!
I have only had a good agent for about 6 weeks and even if he is not able to sell my work, I know that I am already a better person / writer just by having known him. He fits me like a leather glove.

Nothing is better than a good agent that "understands you as author and what you are trying to say through your work" but a good marriage. The author that recommended me to his agent now mine, told me that an agent would become the most important person in my life other than my marriage partner. And he was right.

It took me over a year to find a good agent and he was worth the wait.

:Sun:

Keep writing! :e2BIC:

fallenangelwriter · Mar 17, 2006

Daughter of Faulkner said:
Great post!

Nothing is better than a good agent that "understands you as author and what you are trying to say through your work" but a good marriage.

Why not save time and marry your agent?

Daughter of Faulkner · Mar 17, 2006

HA!

Actually, this happens a lot in the industry!

blacbird · Mar 17, 2006

Daughter of Faulkner said:
It took me over a year to find a good agent and he was worth the wait.

Over a year! Gosh.

caw.

zarch · Mar 17, 2006

So, to all of you novelists out there that don't have an agent, let me say it one more time.

If you don't have an agent, go get one. A good one. They're amazing.[/QUOTE]

Hey, can I just borrow yours?

Aconite · Mar 18, 2006

blacbird said:
The problem is, none of them want anything to do with me.

I told you that you shouldn't have done that thing with the squid in public.

waylander · Mar 18, 2006

badducky said:
If you don't have an agent, go get one. A good one. They're amazing.

Sounds great! Can you introduce me?

Saundra Julian · Mar 18, 2006

I want one, too!!

Bufty · Mar 18, 2006

You're more than welcome to share mine, Saundra - only problem is I don't have one. But when you get one -remember, I did offer.

RoccoMom · Mar 18, 2006

If only it were that easy......

Sassenach · Mar 18, 2006

Daughter of Faulkner said:
Great post!
I have only had a good agent for about 6 weeks and even if he is not able to sell my work, I know that I am already a better person / writer just by having known him. He fits me like a leather glove.

Please tell me you're joking...

fwiw, some leather gloves don't fit, if they're the wrong size.

LightShadow · Mar 18, 2006

only the right agent works, I had an agent that thought they were an agent, but the rest of the industry disagreed, so I fired them...and I'm looking again!

emeraldcite · Mar 18, 2006

fwiw, some leather gloves don't fit, if they're the wrong size.

But when they do, ooohhhh booooyyy!

maestrowork · Mar 18, 2006

I love you sarcastic people. But seriously, the OP is right: having a good agent makes things go much smoother and allows you to focus more on your writing and less on the business. But don't be spoiled. You will HAVE to learn about the business to succeed. I guess people are chuckling over the "go out and get one" comment because, yeah, as if.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 18, 2006

Agents

maestrowork said:
I love you sarcastic people. But seriously, the OP is right: having a good agent makes things go much smoother and allows you to focus more on your writing and less on the business. But don't be spoiled. You will HAVE to learn about the business to succeed. I guess people are chuckling over the "go out and get one" comment because, yeah, as if.

Amen. I think every writer who can find a good agent ahould definitely have one, but even with an agent, the writer still needs to know the business inside out. You may not stay as current as yuor agent, but you should still know just as much about publishing itself as she does.

Diana Hignutt · Mar 18, 2006

One day I will have an agent, and then I will take over the world! (Insert diabolical laugh here.)

After pretty much lying fallow in literary matters for most of a year, I am once again writing and looking for an agent.

LightShadow · Mar 18, 2006

Those agents are slippery suckers. Every time I think I've got one they say: "Thanks, but no thanks. I can't even respond personally because of all of the other suckers sending me queries. I'm am not right for your work, but I hope you keep trying."

Wow, if my skin wasn't four inches thick, I don't know what I'd do.

sincerely, Rhino skinned Writer.

zarch · Mar 18, 2006

I would have an agent...but, alas, none are right for my list.

underthecity · Mar 19, 2006

I'm working on obtaining one right now.

allen

Agents are wonderful things

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