Agents and publishers . . .

[Lifelongdagger]

The main charcater in my story is a writer. He needs, at some point, to visit his agent/publisher's secretary/pa.

Would an agent even have a secretary or a pa or, indeed, an office?

And what of a publisher, would this be a single person with his own secretary/pa that dealt at all times with the same author, or am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Kind regards and many thanks,

Lifelong

[WishWords]

I don't know the answer but if you have a live journal these people could probably help you: http://community.livejournal.com/literaryagents/

[jchines]

I don't believe my agent has a secretary. I'm guessing it's more likely the agent might have someone in more of an intern/assistant role, though.

My publisher has two editors who make the decisions, a number of assistant editors, and I'm guessing at least one person in the receptionist/secretary role.

This is my experience with one agency and one publisher, so take it for what it's worth.

[Kristen King]

Maybe this blog post (http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2006/06/invaluable-assistant.html) about one agent's assistant would give you the info you need?

Kristen

[Kristen King]

I don't see how calling an agent to do research for an article is any different from calling anyone else to do research for an article. As long as you're not PRETENDING to be doing research for a story as a cover to get on the phone with someone and then pitch your writing, which would be a very, very bad idea, go for it.

Kristen