Well, all this conjecture is very interesting. However, as one of Owen's contracted writers, I feel I have the right to post some comments of my own.
Hello, Suzanne. Welcome to AW!
Can you point to the conjecture that you spotted? I've seen opinions and information, but no conjecture to speak of.
Owen isn't your usual run-of-the-mill agent. He openly admits that. He's a bit of a maverick, has a very spiritual side, and if you don't want your agent to be your friend too, then he's not for you.
I'm not sure that being a maverick or being spiritual has any bearing on his agenting abilities, but I do think that agents should be friends with their clients, so that's really good to know. Thank you.
His is a small agency that takes an interest in its clients.
All good agencies take interest in their authors: if they didn't, they wouldn't be able to do their jobs.
His speciality is first-time authors.
I'm confused. If he specialises in representing first-time authors, what happens to his clients once they're published? Does he advise them to find new representation? It wouldn't be very good for those author-clients if he did this, but if he didn't, how could he continue to specialise in this area?
Having been in the same position as the rest of us, he knows how difficult and disheartening trying to get an agent can be.
I know a few literary agents, both personally and professionally, and I assure you they are all aware of the difficulties writers face in this regard.
Speaking from experience (not guess-work), I can say with conviction the L&C Literary Agency is legit. I have not been asked to part with a penny, nor will I ever be.
That's good news. Thank you.
Yes, Owen has used John Hunt Publishing on occasion with the author's full approval when he has been unable to place their work elsewhere, but certainly not at contracts 3 or 4, and only as a 'foot in the door' so to speak.
We have a thread about John Hunt Publishing here.
Mr Hunt's responses in that thread did not convince me that his publisher was a good choice for writers, and I'd be very wary of any agent who sent his or her author-clients there.
He has good working relationships with the Commissioning Editors at Virago, Schuster & Schuster, and Harper-Collins, to name but a few, and also has an office on the other side of the Atlantic.
That's great: but if he's still sending his clients to John Hunt Publishing when those other editors reject their work, there's still a problem. I've not looked at his website lately, but upstream writermike made this comment:
All the authors listed on the home page of the agency have been published by imprints of John Hunt Publishing.
Is this still the case?
He is a genuinely open, caring person. He is always available to speak to, has a great sense of humour, and does actually listen to what you have to say. And he knows what he's talking about. He most certainly is not out to catch the unwary. What would he have to gain by that?
Being a genuinely open, caring person and having a great sense of humour probably makes him a great bloke. But those characteristics have no bearing on his ability to be a great agent.
And if he does know what he's talking about, why is he sending his author-clients to John Hunt Publishing?
He gets you published, he gets his ten per cent. He doesn't get you published, it's bread and water for the week! I'll reiterate, he doesn't ask anyone for money.
PublishAmerica doesn't ask anyone for any money either. And most agents work for fifteen per cent these days. Mr Burnham is cheap!
As to L&C being affiliated to Mary Grey's editing service...that is incorrect. Ms. Grey is a completely independent editor. Yes, she helps Owen out if requested, (they have been friends for a long time), for which, once again, there is no charge, but that is the full extent of her involvement.
I've read through this thread and found no mention of Mary Grey's editing service. Help me out, please, and point me to the post you're referring to here. Or are you confused about which forum you're on?
So, to sum up: with respect to all the people who have commented here, please refrain from bad-mouthing an agent on mere speculation and hear-say.
I see no one "bad-mouthing" anyone in this thread. I see reasonable questions being asked, and reasonable responses being given, but no insults or sneers; and I don't see any speculation or "hear-say" either. Perhaps you could re-read the thread and see if you've misunderstood any of the discussion.
I like to think I'm an intelligent person, certainly not naïve, and I am absolutely delighted Owen offered me a contract.
I like to think I am a princess. Ah, well.
The more we talk, the more I realise he's exactly what I want in an agent. No. He wouldn't suit everyone, but it wouldn't do for us to be all the same, would it?
I'm really pleased you're so happy with Mr Burnham, and wish you well. But as you suggest, while he might well be the best agent for you, he's not automatically the best agent for everyone. What we're trying to do in this thread is discuss who he might be a good agent for--and, just as importantly, who he might
not suit so well.
For instance: if a writer didn't want to be published by John Hunt Publishing, then Mr Burnham probably isn't the right agent for them.
And that doesn't make him a charlatan, shyster, con-man or any of those other horrible words.
Thanks for reading. Responses welcome!!
You're the first person to mention those "horrible words", Suzanne. Why did you do that, I wonder?