Agents who are also writers: Good or bad?

Sat Nam! (Literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

It's not uncommon, but not the majority either.

As to whether it's good or bad, that depends (like a lot of things) on the agent in question. Personable agent with lots of contacts in the business and a desire to help her/his fellow writers and a knowledge of the craft, yeah, that'd be a good one. Agent who wishes she/he had more time to write and begrudges every minute spent working on her/his clients' behalf, no, I wouldn't want that one.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

I don't know if that's common but there have been publishers (mainly small press) and people who work with publishing companies who are also authors.

I wouldn't care what the agent did on the side as long as they did right by me and my work.

I don't know how common it is, but I know there are several excellent agents who are also excellent authors . It's a balancing act, but it can be done, and done well!

Donald Maas, a big-name agent, is also a romance writer.

I feel that if the agent is seasoned, skilled, and has reputable industry contacts, I don't care if they are also an experienced writer.

*However*, if the agent is younger with a developing clientele, and they are also a new writer, I use that as a big red flag. So many newer agents are also trying to publish their own work, that 1) there are competition problems and 2) lots of younger agent burnout.

It's not unusual. I even know a Big 5 editor who is also a writer. How she finds the time I have no idea, but good for her.

I agree with the others, and I'm more concerned about an agent's reading than writing

Another thing is, you won't always know if your agent writes. I am sure many write under pen names and unless they share you wouldn't know.