PDA

View Full Version : New York Agent better?

budgie_brain
10-27-2006, 09:42 AM
Hello,

I have heard from a couple writers that it's better to have a New York based agent because the NY agent can meet with editors. Is this true? I was curious about what other people thought about this. :)

I hope I'm posting this in the right place...if not, I'm sorry!

Thanks very much!

--Alice
ORION
10-27-2006, 11:48 AM
Although most agents are in the vicinity of New York many excellent ones are not. The important things are: does the agent have publishing (editor) contacts, are they a member of AAR, and do they have legitimate sales. Kristin Nelson is in Colorado and there are many good agents in California.
JennaGlatzer
10-27-2006, 12:24 PM
It's helpful, but not necessary. I've worked with a very successful agency that's based in Dallas, TX, and my last agent was from Washington, D.C. The Dallas agents fly to NY about once a month to do meetings. The D.C. one made fewer trips, relying more on e-mail and phone.

Track record is what's important. Some agents make it work just fine from outside NY; some can't.
aghast
10-27-2006, 12:37 PM
its helpful but with modern technologies its not necessary - its good to have 'lunch' with editors though but many deals are done by phone, fax, e and snail mail - its not where the agent is but how good they are and how many clients and who they are
victoriastrauss
10-28-2006, 01:32 AM
Plenty of good agents are located away from NYC. They make regular business trips there, though.

- Victoria
budgie_brain
10-28-2006, 01:41 AM
Thank you for your thoughts and experiences, Orion, Jenna, aghast, and Victoria! :) I'm relieved to hear that we shouldn't be limited to NY agents. There are some agents I'm interested in who aren't NY-based, and I'm glad I can consider querying them.

Thanks again for the quick responses! :D

--Alice
victoriastrauss
10-28-2006, 03:41 AM
As long as they have genuine track records. That's the most important thing.

- Victoria
budgie_brain
10-28-2006, 10:55 AM
As long as they have genuine track records. That's the most important thing.

- Victoria
Thanks, Victoria. :) I'll keep this in mind. BTW, I've been learning a lot through your Writer Beware site. Thank you!

--Alice