one agent for fiction, another nf?

[Bealeblast]

I'm wondering how common/uncommon it is to have one agent represent an author's fiction/ another her nonfiction books?

I'm not in that situation as yet, but could be facing a choice in the near future...I realize Iwould have to ask the agents directly how they feel about the prospect... but I'm wanting to know what the usual attitude is about it...

FYI, The nonfiction agent in this possible scenario doesn't handle fiction. The other agent is reading my full on the novel and is so backed up in her reading it would be months before I could submit my nf, which is getting a nice response from other agents I query....I also am aware of how much easier nf seems to be to sell than a literary novel....

So if anyone has a thought to offer here (beyond wait and see) I would appreciate hearing....

[Jennifer L]

I have two agents, one who handles fiction and one who handles non-fiction. I had my non-fiction agent first and she handles only non-fiction, so when I wrote my novel, I knew she couldn't rep it. It was a simple thing to let her know that I planned to acquire another agent for fiction (fiction only). She even gave me some recommendations of agents to try.

When my fiction agent offered representation, I told her that I had a non-fiction agent and she (the fiction agent) would only handle my fiction, and that was fine with her. The lines are clearly drawn and there's no confusion about who is responsible for what. I try to keep them both generally apprised of what I'm doing but for the most part it has been a very straightforward situation to be in. It's just a matter of clear communication about what you want and expect.

I know of several colleagues in the same situation and it has worked out fine for them, too.

Good luck!

Jennifer Lawler

[Jamesaritchie]

It's not at all common, and many agents want to handle everything or nothing. I don't blame them. I also think the writer is better off looking for an agent/agency that handles both. Doing so makes life much easier.

[Bealeblast]

Well, you've said opposite things ....hmmm. Anyone else wish to weigh in?

[Jamesaritchie]

Well, you've said opposite things ....hmmm. Anyone else wish to weigh in?

I don't think we're really saying opposite thing. There are writers who use two agents well. But it's always up to agents. Many agents do not want to share a writer's income, and this makes good sense. And a nonfiction book can often generate a movie sale as fast as a novel, and this is a very different experience than many agents face routinely.

A top, good agent will almost always handle both, and if you can land such an agent, you're better off.

The decision is really one you should make based on just who you have as an agent, or who you can get as an agent.

[Bealeblast]

Okay, I think I hear the nuances. Top agents will do both and want both.
THANKS so much for both your persectives....very useful and good food for thought.

[Anthony Ravenscroft]

It also depends heavily what you mean by "nonfiction." If it's about raising your purebreed puppy, I know an agent who primarily handles sf/f & romance who'd like to look at it... but not so much if it's your memoir. An agent who likes memoir & bio might not want your gardening book.