Newer agent or established agent?

Amber Sanders · Feb 17, 2008

I'm choosing between two offers of representation. One is a new agent with zero sales to his credit, but he's a former editor and was hired by a very big, reputable agency with tons of sales and colleagues he can draw on the experience of. He loves my book and is hungry for a sale, so he may be more aggressive and has the time to pay special attention to selling my book. But he's still building contacts and a reputation, so he may not get the book read as fast as the other agent.

The other is an agent with a history of sales in my genre (paranormal romance), but a lot of clients on her list. Of course she loves the book too, but she has a lot to deal with at once and may not give me as much time as the first agent. She owns her agency.

I click with both agents, so this is not a deciding factor.

So who would you go with? I know this is a pretty good situation to be in, but deciding is stressful and I'd love opinions.

~*Amber*~

beatlesluv · Feb 17, 2008

Amber Sanders said:
I'm choosing between two offers of representation. One is a new agent with zero sales to his credit, but he's a former editor and was hired by a very big, reputable agency with tons of sales and colleagues he can draw on the experience of. He loves my book and is hungry for a sale, so he may be more aggressive and has the time to pay special attention to selling my book. But he's still building contacts and a reputation, so he may not get the book read as fast as the other agent.

The other is an agent with a history of sales in my genre (paranormal romance), but a lot of clients on her list. Of course she loves the book too, but she has a lot to deal with at once and may not give me as much time as the first agent. She owns her agency.

I click with both agents, so this is not a deciding factor.

So who would you go with? I know this is a pretty good situation to be in, but deciding is stressful and I'd love opinions.

~*Amber*~

I can definetly see how it can be stressful to choose. It's like having apple crumble cheesecake and New York style strawberry cheesecake placed in front of you, and being asked to choose only one.

Both have good incentives. Have you chatted with both on the phone? Can't you inform the other that another has given you an offer and you would like to know how they would go about being an advocate for your book. Ask them both this question. Ask them both how they would make time for you and your book (the newer agent how he would do so once his list gets heavy, and the older agent - well obviously how he will make time in the present).

I don't know what else to say other then good luck and congrats!

Amber Sanders · Feb 17, 2008

Yes I have spoken to both on the phone. Both answers were great, which makes choosing even harder. That's why I came here. I can't figure out who is better!

SmartAsh · Feb 17, 2008

This is a tough question; I can see why you are a bit stressed about it! Based on the information you provided, though, I think I would go with the newer agent. It sounds like he knows the industry and has contacts of his own, plus the resources of his colleagues at his fingertips. If you really think that he will be more eager to represent you and will be able to spend more time shopping around with publishers, then I think he's the better choice. The other agent apparently has more contacts as an agent, but it seems like the divide in knowledge, contacts, and skill is minimal, especially when compared with the qualifications and personal attention you are likely to receive from your other option.

Congratulations, by the way!

Will Lavender · Feb 17, 2008

Really tough to make a decision without knowing who the agents are, what your book is like, etc.

I will say that I signed with a brand new agent (she had worked in PR for the agency, but was new to agenting itself) and she's great. I've heard people say that an agent being green can actually work as an advantage. Makes them work for the sale a little bit harder.

Good luck with whomever you choose.

aruna · Feb 17, 2008

I can say this: I once had a new agent at one of the very best agencies. She also had no sales to her credit yet. She gave a greta deal of attention and sent out the ms to some great publishers. She got quite prompt feedback but unfortunately no takers. That was not her fault, it was the fault of the book, which did get as far as a Random House aquisitions team in one instance.

Ultimately, my agent left agenting altogether and so I was stranded. But the combination of being new and wanting to get established, and the agency background with all the help and support there, I think, made her ideal for me.

But to be fair I need to share my experience with an established agent, a few years previous to that. She too was enthusiastic and got my book before a major editor like overnight, leading to an auction within days.

I would say go with the new agent. No, go with the established one. Oh dear. That wasn't much help. I'd better shut up.

cate townsend · Feb 18, 2008

Amber Sanders said:
I'm choosing between two offers of representation. One is a new agent with zero sales to his credit, but he's a former editor and was hired by a very big, reputable agency with tons of sales and colleagues he can draw on the experience of.

Think about it. Take a week or so and do some hard and fast research. Also, if I were in your situation (oh, to be so lucky) I'd ask each agent what their plan was for my book. What editors/houses do they have in mind? Have they done any preliminary shopping around to see if there's interest? What do they expect of your role, as the author, in marketing the book? What kind of deal do they think you can expect?

Do a little more digging into this. And when you come to this point again, it's really going to be up to you. Go with your gut.

Let us know what happens!

Susan Breen · Feb 18, 2008

The good news is that you are in a win/win situation, so I know you want to make the right choice, but I don't think you can go wrong. My agent is fairly young, but with a big agency and I do like feeling that he's part of a team. But I suspect your gut will tell you something, and go with that.

stormie · Feb 18, 2008

I had made a hasty decision almost two years ago. I had three agents wanting to rep me. One was an established agent with her own agency and well-respected. I just didn't like her lack of communication. The second was established, great client list and very nice, but seemingly quiet. The third was young, fairly new but up-and-coming. Very enthusiastic. I went with the third because of the enthusiasm. Within a few months he lost sight of what my ms. was about, so to speak, and had me do revisions I shouldn't have done. He was signing up clients fast and he was selling books to publishers. BUT his suggstions killed the storyline of my book. And he told me later that his agency only sends to the top publishers (it was submitted to about 13, and that was that). We did part amicably, though.

Take your time. Think about it for at least a week. Ask if he/she will submit to other publishing houses besides the biggest and the best.

mysterygrl · Feb 18, 2008

If you haven't yet, I would contact some of these agents' clients. I did this before signing. Also, Cate's ideas are excellent. Definitely find out what their specific plans are for your work. Also very important: the whole communication thing (how often will they stay in touch, etc.).

In the end, your gut will tell you. Good luck!

bethany · Feb 18, 2008

I'm also with a new agent. She was really enthusiastic and sold my book in a little over a month.(after subbing it, we did some revisions first). Of course I had already figured out that as a YA writer that Writers House was my dream agency, and since she was the one who I had decided to query, going with her was an easy decision!

Which ever way you go, good luck!

rwam · Feb 19, 2008

Why am I getting the vibe that your heart wants to go with the newer agent but your head is telling you to go with the seasoned veteran?

Can't blame you for struggling with this, as I would, too.

Maybe the following info could come in handy: How many agents have rejected your queries, partials and fulls thus far? If you feel as if you've almost exhausted your options in agents, then maybe the more experienced agent would be the safer bet. However, if you've only queried a few agents and there are a lot more left, maybe take the risk on the new agent. After all, you've got 2 offers, so chances are you're not writing crap. Congratulations!

Rob

ORION · Feb 19, 2008

To me it's more important which agency - personally I love the percs that come with a large company- the foreign rights and film all under one roof- it's been really convenient --plus all the support and contacts from a big agency-
Former editors have a LOT of contacts...and many sales are not documented on PW...
Sometimes you get more personal attention from a newer agent which is nice...
I would make a decision fairly soon - As Zack says - you risk offending by dithering.
There is no guarantee in this business and you should have queried agents you would be happy to have represent you.

astonwest · Feb 19, 2008

Ah, to have the problem of deciding between two agents...

ExposingCorruption · Feb 19, 2008

I just received 2 requests for my book proposal, one from an email query and one from a snail mail that I sent six days ago. I also got about three proposal requests while I was at the San Francisco Writers' Conference over the weekend. Hopefully I'll be choosing between agents at some point down the line.

It sounds like the advice you're getting could take you in either direction. My first inclination would be to go with the experienced agent. She has to be good to have her own agency and lots of sales in "paranormal romance." She didn't get those sales by not giving time to her clients and their projects. (And you know with absolute certainty that she has the connections for paranormal romance.)

Dragon-lady · Feb 19, 2008

ExposingCorruption said:
I just received 2 requests for my book proposal, one from an email query and one from a snail mail that I sent six days ago. I also got about three proposal requests while I was at the San Francisco Writers' Conference over the weekend. Hopefully I'll be choosing between agents at some point down the line.

It sounds like the advice you're getting could take you in either direction. My first inclination would be to go with the experienced agent. She has to be good to have her own agency and lots of sales in "paranormal romance." She didn't get those sales by not giving time to her clients and their projects. (And you know with absolute certainty that she has the connections for paranormal romance.)

Way to go, EC!

hurricanehanni · Feb 20, 2008

THE ONE WHO IS MOST HUNGRY WILL KILL FOR THE FOOD. Go with the hungry one, he's got the most to win (and lose)
Ryan

juneafternoon · Feb 20, 2008

I'd also go with the more experienced agent. But be sure you talk to her clients, especially the more occult ones who are not "leading clients" and get the feel of how she/he treats clients who are not bigname. I've heard countless stories of people who signed with mega-agents only to get dropped to the side because of bigger authors taking up the agent's time.

Congrats on the offers though!

TrishD · Feb 25, 2008

I went with a more experienced agent. While I'm sure there is some truth to new agents being hungry for a sale, my agent has proven contacts in the industry and I felt confident in her ability to make the sale. And she sold it rather quickly.

ExposingCorruption · Feb 25, 2008

Dragon-lady said:
Way to go, EC!

Thank you, Dragon-lady!

Newer agent or established agent?

Amber Sanders

beatlesluv

Amber Sanders

SmartAsh

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

cate townsend

Susan Breen

stormie

storm central

mysterygrl

bethany

:)

rwam

ORION

Sailed away years ago

astonwest

2 WIP? A glutton for punishment

ExposingCorruption

AW Addict

Dragon-lady

hurricanehanni

Where Is Ziggy?

juneafternoon

Return of the Jedi

TrishD

ExposingCorruption

AW Addict