Timing of getting an agent

[Lori]

A small publisher is reviewing my full (direct submission) right now. My question is, if (I got really lucky) and if they offer a contract, how do I go about getting an agent then? Do agents still want to be queried and look at your full (which may take a couple of months) before they decide to represent you? What should you say in your query letter? I know just because they are reviewing a full doesn’t mean I get a contract; but, just in case it happens, I’d like to be prepared. BTW, I really like this publisher. They are 100% legitimate and have an excellent reputation. I just feel I should get an attorney or an agent before I sign anything and an agent seems like a better choice. Has anybody done this before?

[HorrorWriter]

Lori,
First, calm down and take a deep breath. If you are offered a contract, tell the publisher that you have to get back to them after you have your agent and/or attorney look it over. Then call the top agent on your list and tell them that you have an offer. Only cold call IF you have an offer. If you run out of agents, then I would go with an entertainment lawyer. Good luck! :)

[cree]

Don't sign anything without representation: publishing lawyer or agent.
My personal rule of thumb: get an agent if you plan to have a career that includes many novels. Get a publishing lawyer if you think you're in for a one or two book career.

[ORION]

The rejecter blog has addressed this question. If it is a small publisher it means a small advance and an even smaller piece for the agent so it may not be attractive. The question I have is did the publisher request your full from a query? Did you just send the manuscript unsolicited or was it specifically requested by an editor?
If it is in their slush pile waiting for review I would not mention it and continue to query agents. There are many authors who have published through small presses and did not obtain an agent.
I have always been of the opinion that it is best to focus on getting an agent first but there are different paths to the same destination.
JMHO

[Lori]

Thank you everybody for answering. To answer Orion's question, the publisher requested full from the three chapters I sent. I have already had rejections from many agents that I really don't have too many more to query. (I'm saving them so that I can contact them later as HorrorWriter suggested) I realize sometimes you have to go agentless and it could be me. I'll get an attorney to look at the contract at least if that's the case. I'll check out the rejecter blog definitely.

[victoriastrauss]

As Orion said, if there's no advance, or if the advance is very small, it's not likely that an established agent will be interested in taking you on on the basis of this book. However, if the publisher is reputable (a fairly big if with smaller publishers), it may be a credit you can list in the query letter for your next book, and that may help you get a good agent's attention.

- Victoria

[JerseyGirl1962]

I'll get an attorney to look at the contract at least if that's the case. I'll check out the rejecter blog definitely.

Lori,

Just make sure it's an attorney familiar with publishing contracts, because from what I've learned on these boards, they're strange puppies as far as contracts (that is, any type of "generic" contracts lawyer won't necessarily know what to look for).

Good luck!

~Nancy

[jkorzenko]

Nancy's right, Lori. There will be clauses that a general practice lawyer will not be familiar with so make sure you find an entertainment lawyer. Be prepared, it'll cost you a decent chunk of money. And, if you're willing, maybe supplying the name of the small publisher might bring forth some more specific help.

J.