Is it normal for an agent to rep for magazine submissions?

Hi. I have a phone conversation scheduled this week with an agent who seems to be expressing interest in my book of 'creative non-fiction' essays, but I am a little confused. Hopefully someone here can advise.

She has stated that since I do not have an extensive 'platform' (UGH, hate that word!), she thinks my essays would do better sold to magazines instead of in book form. Apparently she wants to set up a phone conversation to discuss this option.

Although I know many agents will represent their clients on all fronts, does it seem a little unusual for an agent to rep someone INITIALLY with magazine submissions? It does seem her firm has repped several people in the past who have first appeared in magazines and then sold their work in book form after gaining exposure (they seem to enjoy 'developing' new talent). Could this be a part of a long-term plan? Is she, perhaps, just having this conversation to give me pointers for the future and does not plan to rep me at all (I know this is a stupid question - why would a sales rep waste time on someone they can not make money from?). And: how could it possibly be worth an agent's time to rep for magazines (unless, of course, these are some pretty high-level publications)?

I have searched high and low for discussion of agents repping people in this fashion, but find little info and am a little confused. If anyone has useful feedback, please do let me know as I want to be prepared for whatever may come in our phone talks. I'm just not familiar with going this route.

As an additional note, without saying who the agency is, the reputations of all the players are stellar and they are very connected within publishing. This is basically a dream agency for me. She seems to really like what I am doing, as she requested revisions and after they were completed, proceeded in converstaions with me as stated above.

I would be so grateful to anyone who has feedback on this situation, i.e. a writer who has been in this position before and/or an agent who has operated in such a way. Thanks so much!

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this. I really appreciate it.

She did not specifically say that she will rep me on this, thus the questions. Just said she wants me to 'consider' this route. The thing that makes me think it is worth her while is that the other people on their list that they obviously have done similar things with appeared in TOP magazines as serials. I would guess that if someone is able to swing a serial deal in one of the majors it may be worth something. But who knows? I am just so curious and intrigued.

Oh, I am well aware that an agent should not ask for money up front. I am not too concerned about that, this is someone who is very top notch ;-) I have no doubts at all about the agency's credibility.

Thank you all for your feedback. But as I have already mentioned, SusanL, this is a top agency that is very, very legitimate. They have worked with many bestselling authors and well known celebrities.

YES, Twizzle, I think you understand EXACTLY what my product is It is narrative non-fiction, and is actually ... dare I say it ... humorous (how did you know???).

I am glad to hear feedback from someone who has heard something like this firsthand. When you say you know an agent who subs to mags, do you mean simply as a platform-building favor, or that the agent is taking a commission?

Honestly, I cannot imagine what the point of this upcoming conversation is unless she has some sort of plans that involve repping me, at least at some point in time. Why would she waste the time having this conversation at all?

I guess maybe I need to just stop thinking about it and let what will happen unfurl.

Thanks Twizzle. I appreciate your feedback and support more than you know. By the way, we are kindred spirits, as I feel exactly as you do about Harry Connick Jr.