Is it worth getting a manager?

indiriverflow said:

The naysayers may well be right, but depending on the contract, you may have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If he wants exclusive control of pitching the work to agents, that could be bad, because doors would then close. However, if his ten percent only applies to deals he strikes, and you are still able to pursue queries on your own without obligation to him, then I don't perceive the risk.

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I am not a published author, nor do I play one on tv but...

I find this problematic.

You do have something to lose. Say you engage this 'manager' to get you an agent, negotiate your agent contract. Great! Now what? So what else is he doing now that he's landed you that agent for the 10% he's getting? What else will he do for you? Your agent is the one working with you now, to sharpen you prose, to get your query letter up to speed, submitting to editors and publishers. What exactly is it that this manager is doing to earn his 10%?

And he's getting 10% of..what? The book that landed you the agent? You have one now. If your working relationship is good, you don't need another agent. The next time you write a book, will he shop it for another agent? Renegotiate the terms of the contract with the same agent? Why if you are in good standing with your current agent? 10% of all future book sales made through the agent? Um...why when his work was done when he landed you the agent?

indiriverflow said:

If he is legitimate in the screenwriting world, as he seems to be, I don't understand why he would offer to represent a novel he is not equipped to sell.

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To cash in on a money making opportunity for little work and a possible big payoff?

indiriverflow said:

It sounds as if he may be able to fast-track your query to large full-service literary agencies, and if that is indeed the case, he will more than earn the money.

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Like what? Am I missing something important here? Seriously, maybe I need to go back and read the OP again but what 'more' can he negotiate from an agent who will then be negotiating in your best interests when you sell a book?

indiriverflow said:

He may have made relevant contacts in the fiction world in the course of representing screenplays, if only because some screenplays are novel adaptations, and these are the multimillion-dollar earners.

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Then, wouldn't he be better served to be an agent and making 15%, than 10%?

And I don't know how the screenwriting world works but...does it work that way? Is there a lot of work to be had turning novels into screenplays? And how does that benefit the author now who is still trying to land an agent or a book deal?

indiriverflow said:

Since the most valuable novels are the ones with potential to be adapted for the silver screen, I fail to see why everyone is pooh-poohing the notion.

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Because taking a cut of money from a book deal when, at least on the surface, it appears very little work is done by him once an agent is landed?

And if he's submitting directly to publishers, why isn't he an agent instead of this manager?

I agree more indepth questioning as to what this manager would exactly provide would be in order, but on first glance, sorry...it's terribly suspect to me.

What's the difference between a manager or an agent? They are both brokers. Say the word agent and writers think they have someone that will love and cherish them. Say manager and they'll be screwed. Both take a slice of the pie. Maybe this manager has some contacts? Who knows?
All depends on the people and the work involved. Folks working in film and music have their managers cut deals with lit agents all the time. I can't see the conflict. If a manager told me he could secure a deal and wanted ten percent I'd let him have a go. As long as it was for one book. Why not?

stray said:

What's the difference between a manager or an agent?

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Well, for one, 'agent' is a recognized job within the publishing industry, and 'manager' isn't.

A manager? To find an agent?

This is just putting in another middleman unnecessarily. No-one needs a negotiator to negotiate with the negotiator.

Medievalist said:

No. It's a bullshit idea.

Run away.

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This.

stray said:

What's the difference between a manager or an agent?

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The US publishing industry doesn't have managers working in it. Paying someone outside the industry for their supposed expertise within it doesn't make sense.

The thing, too, is that the term "literary agent" is used in Hollywood to mean both "agent who represents your screenplay to producers and studios" and "agent who represents your book manuscript to editors at publishing houses." These are two different sets of people.

Mandiloo322 said:

He wants 10% only if I actually get a publishing deal (and thus an agent). Nothing up front. When I sent my stuff to him it was early March and I was under the impression he was more of an agent himself than a paid manager. I do legitimately believe he has good contacts and experience, but I'm just not sure they are the right ones for me, or if it is something I can't do on my own with more time.

I just don't want to be wondering a few years from now if I missed my best chance at getting past the hardest obstacle of putting my first book on the market.

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Tell him no and walk away.

Mandiloo322 said:

Thanks for all the replies! I did decide to continue querying agents on my own.

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This seems like the best decision. Good luck!