I don't want to bluntly say Agents act stuck up, or are self centered (although for a few, that would be considered valid). Also note, this thread post isn't in any way intended to flam or belittle anyone, or be considered as a rant. I would like an discussion.
What I don't get: If agents make a percentage, why do they turn down projects only because it does not relate to them. But choose projects that they feel "will sell", only because it relates/connects to them? How does that benefit them, or the Literary Market?
MOST Agents,
from what I've read, interned, and/or graduated from various colleges etc, and are in / have been in the literary world most of their lives. So I can't help but think that's the reason why most Agents create a fictitious element bubble of what they believe is good, or not good based on their interests and/or idols/successful Authors.
I always thought the reason why so many stories of this generation lacked originality and thought, was because of the lack of original writters. But now, I believe it's due to the fact that most Agents/Publishers are closed minded, or are tainted to their fears of the market, to "what's in". Including if they have factual evidence to support their fears.
Honestly, some of the greatest work of our time if had not been published yet, attempted to be published now, would probably never make it.
First of all, the literary world (businesses, writer's, reader's) is very small in percentage compared to the broad world of entertainment. Let's face it, not many people read. So with that said, the market's main influence is only shaped by the people who are regular readers or are active in the literary world. BUT there are some books that reach beyond the literary world, to those many people who don't usually read, but learned, or heard of a story so great they couldn't help but read or find out more information about this once project, that happened to be given a chance, and strived.
PEOPLE BUY THE STORY NOT THE BOOK
A genre is mainly for classifications, agreed? it's the story/ uniqueness of the story that truly wins people over for years to come. EX: What's the genre of novels such as twilight? Sure you did your homework, you might know it. I don't, and many of the readers/non readers don't either, they just know the story. People who do not usually read, had read that book. This goes for with the harry potter series etc etc. It wasn't because of the "brilliant writing" techniques or the "Amazing Author" It was because of the brilliant/unique story.
So my question is, how can an agent or even publisher really represent the interest of (in a broad sense) everyone? And how can they really "not feel connected" to a story, without actually reading it, or being open enough to see how it could relate/interest a very broad amount of people even if it doesn't relate to them, or to their knowledge, fit into the literary market.
A standard query, in most cases is not enough to even begin to elaborate on the greatness of a project, A paragraph pitch of each chapter would be even be better suited, but people stick to laws and normality. However even the perfect query is no match for the average agent, who cares more about their reputation than their job.
Again, how is it beneficial, not only the Literary Market, but to the Literary World, if doors are shut to scared, closed minded individuals who are brainwashed in their own sense of securities.
You can learn to judge, you can learn to write/edit. You can read all the facts, and historical works. You can study the market, and leech your opinions off of previous success stories.
But sometime in your career you have to realize, you are not just an agent. You're a key to Literature, and you can impact the market yourself, and a world broader than the one you're currently craving to be a part of.
That is what an Agent should strive to be. A key, not a lock.
So can someone explain to me why this happens?
FYI: I am asking because every Agent that has replied to me, stated that my Novel is great, possibly amazing. But it just doesn't seem to "fit them", or their agency. Even simply because "They just don't sign many authors a year"... why does that even matter? *sigh*
Again, I don't know the business, I'm just wondering.
- EDIT: If this seems a little immature, then I'm sorry for being 19. -
What I don't get: If agents make a percentage, why do they turn down projects only because it does not relate to them. But choose projects that they feel "will sell", only because it relates/connects to them? How does that benefit them, or the Literary Market?
MOST Agents,
from what I've read, interned, and/or graduated from various colleges etc, and are in / have been in the literary world most of their lives. So I can't help but think that's the reason why most Agents create a fictitious element bubble of what they believe is good, or not good based on their interests and/or idols/successful Authors.
I always thought the reason why so many stories of this generation lacked originality and thought, was because of the lack of original writters. But now, I believe it's due to the fact that most Agents/Publishers are closed minded, or are tainted to their fears of the market, to "what's in". Including if they have factual evidence to support their fears.
Honestly, some of the greatest work of our time if had not been published yet, attempted to be published now, would probably never make it.
First of all, the literary world (businesses, writer's, reader's) is very small in percentage compared to the broad world of entertainment. Let's face it, not many people read. So with that said, the market's main influence is only shaped by the people who are regular readers or are active in the literary world. BUT there are some books that reach beyond the literary world, to those many people who don't usually read, but learned, or heard of a story so great they couldn't help but read or find out more information about this once project, that happened to be given a chance, and strived.
PEOPLE BUY THE STORY NOT THE BOOK
A genre is mainly for classifications, agreed? it's the story/ uniqueness of the story that truly wins people over for years to come. EX: What's the genre of novels such as twilight? Sure you did your homework, you might know it. I don't, and many of the readers/non readers don't either, they just know the story. People who do not usually read, had read that book. This goes for with the harry potter series etc etc. It wasn't because of the "brilliant writing" techniques or the "Amazing Author" It was because of the brilliant/unique story.
So my question is, how can an agent or even publisher really represent the interest of (in a broad sense) everyone? And how can they really "not feel connected" to a story, without actually reading it, or being open enough to see how it could relate/interest a very broad amount of people even if it doesn't relate to them, or to their knowledge, fit into the literary market.
A standard query, in most cases is not enough to even begin to elaborate on the greatness of a project, A paragraph pitch of each chapter would be even be better suited, but people stick to laws and normality. However even the perfect query is no match for the average agent, who cares more about their reputation than their job.
Again, how is it beneficial, not only the Literary Market, but to the Literary World, if doors are shut to scared, closed minded individuals who are brainwashed in their own sense of securities.
You can learn to judge, you can learn to write/edit. You can read all the facts, and historical works. You can study the market, and leech your opinions off of previous success stories.
But sometime in your career you have to realize, you are not just an agent. You're a key to Literature, and you can impact the market yourself, and a world broader than the one you're currently craving to be a part of.
That is what an Agent should strive to be. A key, not a lock.
So can someone explain to me why this happens?
FYI: I am asking because every Agent that has replied to me, stated that my Novel is great, possibly amazing. But it just doesn't seem to "fit them", or their agency. Even simply because "They just don't sign many authors a year"... why does that even matter? *sigh*
Again, I don't know the business, I'm just wondering.
- EDIT: If this seems a little immature, then I'm sorry for being 19. -
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