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Sometimes when I read AW I get the sense, which indeed may be a misinterpretation on my part, that in the hierarchy of this publishing business a writer is a subcontractor to an agent/publisher.
No, let's not get into an argument that's all about whether a writer should follow agent advice - of course the writer should. That's not what I'm about here. What I am about is a perceived understanding, which again may be me reading too much into what people say, that a writer should do everything an agent tells them.
I have a painter acquaintance who works closely with a gallery owner, and I think that relationship could work as a comparison for how I see a writer-agent relationship. The gallerist would never go to the painter and say; "You have to choose a new palette for this painting, because I can't sell that. And this use of depth here is wrong, so you have to redo the painting and come back to me when you've done it."
If you got an offer of representation, provided you changed big things - akin to changing the palette, and changing the fundamental techniques which would turn your novel into something else, would you do it?
So, I'm not talking about stuff here which one as a new writer should be humble and listening to the expert advice of someone way more experienced, but about stuff that change your vision and intent with your work of art.
Would you do it?
No, let's not get into an argument that's all about whether a writer should follow agent advice - of course the writer should. That's not what I'm about here. What I am about is a perceived understanding, which again may be me reading too much into what people say, that a writer should do everything an agent tells them.
I have a painter acquaintance who works closely with a gallery owner, and I think that relationship could work as a comparison for how I see a writer-agent relationship. The gallerist would never go to the painter and say; "You have to choose a new palette for this painting, because I can't sell that. And this use of depth here is wrong, so you have to redo the painting and come back to me when you've done it."
If you got an offer of representation, provided you changed big things - akin to changing the palette, and changing the fundamental techniques which would turn your novel into something else, would you do it?
So, I'm not talking about stuff here which one as a new writer should be humble and listening to the expert advice of someone way more experienced, but about stuff that change your vision and intent with your work of art.
Would you do it?