Is This True?

SFB · Aug 12, 2009

I read this anonymous comment to a posting on Dystel & Goderich Literary Management's blog: "The English agent, Ed Victor, attended a conference for writers a number of years ago, and gave a short speech, at the end of which there was a brief question and answer period.

A young, unpublished, male writer, who had been living in poverty for nearly a decade in order to teach himself how to write fiction, asked Mr. Victor how he chose his clients, and Mr. Victor responded that he would often meet people randomly at dinner parties, or through friends, and then help them to get their work published - but only if he knew them.

The young writer asked, well what if I don't know you then?

And Mr. Victor responded with a smile: "Then you don't get published."

Is this true?

waylander · Aug 12, 2009

I might have been true if you wanted Ed Victor as your agent.
It is no longer true.
There are literally dozens of people on this site who have gained agents (and publication) by writing an excellent novel and then following the agent's submission guidelines.

the addster · Aug 12, 2009

I'm sure it doesn't hurt to be in the crowd that hoity-toits around at dinner parties with literary agents. I wouldn't know.

But as waylander said, a whole lot of folks have found success by doing good work and following submission guidelines.

Amarie · Aug 12, 2009

Check out the 'Goals and Accomplishments' threads. You will find many writers who found agents without knowing anyone in the business.

ChristineR · Aug 12, 2009

Yeah, this is stupid--an agent like that would be limiting himself greatly. Maybe Ed can limit himself to celebrities and friends of a friend, maybe not. If anyone knows how to reach him, I'd like to see if he remembers actually saying such a thing.

Danthia · Aug 12, 2009

At one point a long time ago, it was probably true for a fair number of people. Before computers, writing was much harder and fewer people tried it. (the physical act of typing on a typewriter not the story crafting) These days, no, not for most writers. Agents are looking for people with great books, and they don't care where they come from.

Wordwrestler · Aug 12, 2009

I have never been to NY (or to a dinner party, anywhere), and had no connections that helped me get an agent. I simply queried and waited and queried and waited and wrote some more and queried--you get the idea.

Don't let silly comments like that discourage you.

IceCreamEmpress · Aug 12, 2009

Is it true that Ed Victor said that? Possibly.

If, if Ed Victor said that, is it an accurate statement? Absolutely not. Perhaps you've heard of a writer named J.K. Rowling, who knew absolutely nobody in the UK literary world, including Ed Victor.

ORION · Aug 12, 2009

Ditto. i knew no one.

ChaosTitan · Aug 12, 2009

It sounds like the set-up of a joke. After "Then you don't get published," I imagine laughter, and possibly a less sarcastic follow-up statement. Dunno.

Toothpaste · Aug 13, 2009

Jumping on the "I knew no one and got repped" bandwagon. Might be true for him, but not for the industry in general.

dantem42 · Aug 14, 2009

Toothpaste said:
Jumping on the "I knew no one and got repped" bandwagon. Might be true for him, but not for the industry in general.

Where are you getting this from? I and several other published authors I know went the dreary route of submitting cold call to many agents. My own agent told me that almost all his clients have come from the anonymous submission process; more often than not, when he gets a referral from someone he knows, he ends up rolling his eyes at the outcome. He also discourages clients from making referrals to him unless it's something that absolutely makes you want to pound the table for it.

poetinahat · Aug 14, 2009

So you and Toothpaste are in agreement. "Jumping on the bandwagon" means, in this context, "adding my voice to the chorus".

SFB · Aug 14, 2009

Just to cover my bases I will spent less time querying and more trying to get in some parties where agents go. If I party really hard maybe I will get published

Darzian · Aug 14, 2009

SFB said:
Just to cover my bases I will spent less time querying and more trying to get in some parties where agents go. If I party really hard maybe I will get published

I would advise you to focus mainly on querying and submitting your manuscript. That is how the majority of writers achieve publication. It's also the standard and 'professional' way to do things, if ya know what I mean.

Wordwrestler · Aug 14, 2009

SFB said:
Just to cover my bases I will spent less time querying and more trying to get in some parties where agents go. If I party really hard maybe I will get published

I think you're kidding--right?

Toothpaste · Aug 14, 2009

dantem42 said:
Where are you getting this from? I and several other published authors I know went the dreary route of submitting cold call to many agents. My own agent told me that almost all his clients have come from the anonymous submission process; more often than not, when he gets a referral from someone he knows, he ends up rolling his eyes at the outcome. He also discourages clients from making referrals to him unless it's something that absolutely makes you want to pound the table for it.

Uh . . . what? I said that I got an agent without knowing anyone and that therefore maybe this other agent works a certain way but it certainly isn't an industry standard. I did the exact same thing you did. I is confused

.

Stacia Kane · Aug 14, 2009

I didn't know anyone either. I sent my agent a query, he requested the full, and we were in business.

Raspberry · Aug 14, 2009

I gained an agent by bothering her with my work. I leave the ~~brown~~ networking to her.

dantem42 · Aug 14, 2009

Toothpaste said:
Uh . . . what? I said that I got an agent without knowing anyone and that therefore maybe this other agent works a certain way but it certainly isn't an industry standard. I did the exact same thing you did. I is confused .

Oops. TBD, Temporary Brain Death.

What he said.

SFB · Aug 17, 2009

Wordwrestler said:
I think you're kidding--right?

Of course, I wasn't kidding! I was lying. I don't know any agents or anyone who knows one (even a little one), but if I did I would party them like it was 1969!

The Otter · Aug 17, 2009

I also got my agent by submitting queries. I'd imagine that's how it is for most people.

I mean, if you know an agent personally, it probably helps. But for an agent to restrict himself to representing ONLY the work of people he happens to know seems like a really stupid way to do business.

BenPanced · Aug 17, 2009

I don't know anybody and I still don't have an agent.

Maybe I should get to work on the queries...

Is This True?

SFB

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

the addster

Amarie

carpe libri

ChristineR

What happened?

Danthia

Wordwrestler

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

ORION

Sailed away years ago

ChaosTitan

Around

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

dantem42

poetinahat

say it loud

SFB

Darzian

To-to-to-ron-to

Wordwrestler

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Stacia Kane

Girl Detective

Raspberry

Germlish Speaker

dantem42

SFB

The Otter

Friendly Neighborhood Mustelid

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)