I’ve read a couple of excellent posts recently on whether agents are about to become extinct…and possible options for them, career-wise. They make for very interesting reading. One is by Anne R. Allen and the other is a PBS story.
Many agents are lawyers, though (mine is.) I worry a little less about her. :)
But I can definitely see this being a problem down the road for agents. I’m not sure how far “down the road” is. It could be a problem five years from now…it could be a problem next year.
For me, though, I need an agent. Still. Even in the current climate. I can’t see that changing anytime in the near future. Here’s why:
I’m traditionally published.
I don’t understand many parts of my contract.
I hate keeping track of when I’m supposed to be paid. My agent hunts down checks and payments.
I hate keeping track of my foreign rights, e-rights, etc.
I don’t enjoy negotiating contracts (I did it once, before my agent, and it made me feel very uncomfortable.)
My publishers require me to have an agent.
My agent pushes me to think about a long-term career plan, goals, and methods of getting there.
My agent haggles over money for me, during contract negotiations.
My agent acts as a first-reader for me before my manuscript is sent to my editor.
I like getting a tax statement at the end of the tax year (which my agent provides for me.)
I like the fact that my agent makes relationships with editors and finds writing leads for me. She’s the reason I have the quilting mystery series. I can’t be in New York, I don’t have the opportunity to schmooze…wouldn’t know how to schmooze if I had the opportunity (I’d be sitting on the sidelines, watching everybody, creating characters in my head while eating spinach dip.)
I like the fact that my agent runs interference for me. When I am talking with or emailing my editors, I’m just dealing with the creative side of the industry. I’m the fun one to work with. My agent is the one who presses for things on the business end….I don’t have to be the bad guy. I don’t want to be the bad guy.
Would I do the above if I had to? Of course I would. But I’m already writing books and promoting them. Those two things are full-time jobs in themselves.
At some point, will this change? Well….I just can’t imagine that it won’t change in the twenty plus years that I hope to still be in this business. It would be silly for me to think it won’t change, with all the industry changes that have happened in the last year. But for right now, this is an arrangement that works really, really well for me. My plan is to continue what I’m doing with my editors, agent, and publishers, and to explore the e-publishing side on my own, in my own time.
What do you think is the future for agents? In your current situation, do you need one, like I do? Or are you able to work independently of literary agents?
Elizabeth – Thanks for outlining so clearly how you benefit from having an agent. It sounds as if you and she each do what you’re good at doing, and that makes for an excellent partnership. I think there are so many avenues to writing success that not everyone has to do it that way (traditional publisher + agent), but I am very glad that it works for you. It sounds like a winning partnership for both of you.
Oh, I need one. And oh, I wanted one. And oh yes, I will want one when I finish the novel I am slowly writing. In this day and age, you are one lucky lady to be traditionally published with a wonderful, supportive agent, Elizabeth. Thanks for letting us know all the things we have to look forward to if we’re lucky enough to find an agent as well.
Karen
This is a wonderful explanation of how agents can be a true help. It’ll be interesting to see how everything in the publishing industry evolves over the next while.
Exactly. The next time somebody asks me why I’m still trying to get an agent and not just self-publishing, I’m going to point them to your post. You said it so much better than the lame attempts I’ve made over the years. Thank you.
I don´t think the AGENTS have anything to worry about. I am absolutely certain that the percentage of writers who self-publish and earn real money is infinitesimal. And the rest (of us) would jump at having an agent so we could just sit down and write.
Wow, agents sure do a lot. I really have no idea what the future of agents look like. Hopefully they’ll still be in demand in my lifetime!
You’re livin’ the dream. Ideally, we would be picked up by an agent who helps us along the publishing journey, but that just doesn’t happen for everyone. I don’t need an agent right now because I’ve sort of given up on being published in the traditional way with a novel, agent, and all that. I’ve switched to playwriting, for now.
I’m uncertain. I’m building a great relationship with my publisher, and I’m a little hesitant to change that. But I also know that an agent would be really advantageous in so many areas.
This was so interesting. I followed all the rabbit holes all the way down. I definitely think there is potential for agents to be a casualty if they don’t focus on value added. At the same time, even Barry Eisley has retained his agent, because you’re right–there is so much they can do.
I think the danger is for agents who are inflexible about the options out there. I will definitely have my trade mystery line, and I hope to publish my YA stuff traditionally, but I LIKE the idea of self-publishing that stuff that doesn’t fit nicely onto a specific shelf, and I would really love agent support to then have that be as polished a product as possible.
I’d say if you have one, certainly no reason to get rid of your agent! I know that a lot of us will never have agents.
You really made the need for an agent understandable. Perhaps in the future there will be e-agents.
So long as there are big publishers there will always be agents. And if you have one, that’s great. I couldn’t keep up with all that stuff either.
But unless a writer is aiming for one of the big boy publishers, an agent isn’t necessary. And with so many small publishers out there and so many writers self-publishing, the need will decrease. I see it decreasing for the big publishers as well as the agents, though.
I don’t like anything business and what she takes care of sounds like business to me.
Keep her for good measure and to hunt down those paychecks. :)
I think there will always be a place for agents. If an author publishes traditionally then an agent is a necessity. Outside of that realm though, I’m not sure where they fit in, or if they do.
Margot–And having an agent is ONLY necessary (and I hope I’m not making any agents out there upset, but this is my reading of it) if you’re dealing with large publishers. I think that’s why some agents are getting a little concerned as many authors are exploring their options. But I think there are plenty of traditionally published authors currently to keep them working. I just don’t think that will always be the case. It’s why I’m in no hurry to change what I’m doing, but I’m definitely keeping my options open, too, as far as e-publishing. Maybe I can do both.
B.E. Sanderson–Thanks. :) But yes, if you’re taking an e-publishing approach, disregard!
Laura–You know…I think it’s all going to change. I’m just not sure when!
Mary–I think that sounds like a great shift! Of course, there are agents who work with scriptwriters and screenwriters, too, though.
Paul–If you have a head for business and numbers, you’re probably completely fine. I don’t have either, unfortunately!
Karen–Well…but it’s not necessary for everyone! Especially going into self-pub/e-pub. There, they’re not needed. So that’s really the looming future, I’m thinking, for agents. Right now there are plenty of traditionally published authors to sustain them. How long will that last, though?
Hart–I wonder if Barry is using his more as a business manager? Or to handle his past sales/royalties?
Yes! I totally agree. I think if I were an agent, I’d be thinking about future possibilities. As a writer, I know I’m trying to figure out e-pub options, myself.
Alex–I wonder if maybe there’ll be a lot more openings for writers to acquire agents, though? With so many authors leaving publishers and going into e-publishing?
Elspeth–I think we’re all in for a ride!
GigglesandGuns–I kind of like that idea!
Dorte–I think most of them probably aren’t too worried. And I do think that many have a law career to fall back on. But I think some folks are really starting to be concerned–especially with big-name authors jumping ship and self-publishing.
Diane–I think, *for right now*, there’s enough traditional authors out there to keep agents in business. But you’re absolutely right–it’s all rapidly changing.
Heather–And that’s it, in a nutshell. If you’re traditionally published with a big publisher, there’s no question–you’ve *got* to have one. The large publishers won’t even work with you unless you have one. If you’re self-publishing…I see no reason for an agent…right now. Maybe they’ll change their business model and will be just as necessary for self-publishing.
I don’t understand contracts neither; always written in such a akward language, and so god damn boring to read (I fall asleep after less than 5 minutes).
BTW, I was sitting outside the cabin reading one of your books tonight (Pretty is …), good company while kids were playing in the background >:)
Cold As Heaven
A head for figures? Um.. no, not at all. :-(
Wow – this is a great post and pretty much why I love having an agent too. I’m sure things will change – look how much they’ve changed in just the past year. Self-publishing literally went from being stigma to completely accepted and even encouraged.
The smart agents are going to be the ones who change along with the industry and find ways to continue providing useful services to their clients.
I currently don’t have an agent, although I have been represented in the past and thankful to have someone who handled the business side of the business. I think savvy agents will find a way to be indispensable in the new era of publishing, but, like you, I don’t know what that would be. Maybe agents would take on more of the marketing of our books to the public – a lot of the promo stuff we do that many of us don’t care for – for a percentage of the sales. I would gladly give an agent 15% of what I make with my indie published e-books to help me boost sales.
Great post on why agents are important. I agree with just about everything you wrote. Agents may be the middle-man, but they are a much needed middle-man when it comes to some of the things writers are required to keep track of in some way or another.
Thanks for the shout-out Elizabeth.
I’ve published three books without an agent, but I’m still collecting agent rejections on each new book–still hoping to find an agent like yours who’s interested in taking me on. I’m a team player and I’d like to have somebody on my side.
But it’s not an option for a lot of us, no matter how many years we spend honing our queries and being patient. Just last week agent Janet Reid said that in the current climate, a lot of very good books will never get representation.
That doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to be published.
Luckily, the new Kindle publishing paradigm can benefit people like us. It’s not that we don’t want to be you, but we don’t have that option.
Cold As Heaven–I have a funny feeling you DO understand them! If you can read scientific tomes, you should be good with contracts (even with their weird language.)
Thanks so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. :)
Teresa–It’s just so odd in publishing because the money is doled out…some on signing, some on handing in the finished manuscript, some when the book is released, some as royalties, some when the book goes to large print, etc. Hard to keep track of!
Paul–Me either!
Katie–I think, in many ways, it will be survival of the fittest. And fit=adaptability…for us, as well as for them.
Mary Mary–I think it’s because so many writers don’t have a lot of background in business. Or maybe it’s just me. :) But none of us can be good at *everything*…
Maryann–Oh, Lord, what I wouldn’t do to hand over my promo to someone else for a reasonable fee! I’d be all over it…
Anne–I think that what I really *like* about self-pub is that it’s an equalizer. It means that more books on more topics get in the hands of more readers.
And I think my post reads like I think it’s a choice for *writers* to have an agent or not. Most times, it’s not. We can query all we like sometimes and just can’t get anywhere with it at all. And sometimes we don’t *need* an agent…especially going the self-pub route.
But what I meant to say, which I don’t think I did well, is more to comfort *agents*. I think they *are* needed, they *are* useful, they *are* providing an important service. And that there are still plenty of us who need them. But this might be cold comfort because things are changing so fast that I don’t know how long this will be true!
I suppose posts like mine–or at least the header, where I call them an endangered species–might make agents feel a little unappreciated, so you did a great job of giving them a pep talk. I’m sure they need it.
I’ve read a lot of blogs recently that are kind of rabidly anti-agent, and I think it’s great that you’re reminding us that the majority are tireless advocates for their authors (which is why I’m still trying desperately to interest one in my quirky stuff.)
The one thing the writing job lacks is any kind of security. Yet, for many, insecurity makes writing harder. In that light, an agent who actually stands by you and supports you in the ways you suggest is a godsend. The only thing better would be a guaranteed lifetime income grant (something even rarer).
Anne–No, I think your post was right on the money. I think they’re going to have to adapt, somehow, to this changing industry.
They are really wonderful advocates. And they’re paid diddly-squat for what they do. I was thinking, after reading your post, about who I’d have to hire if all the agents were suddenly gone. I’d have to have some sort of business manager/accountant, some sort of contract lawyer…it just made me feel a little sick, thinking about it! Wish I were better with business. I could learn, but…who has the time?
Glen–You are so right. My agent sent me an email yesterday, telling me she thought I did a great job with the manuscript I just completed (the one I emailed to my new editor today.) I glowed! I really did. I must have read that short little email 3 times. All writers are just wracked with insecurity. If they don’t seem to be, then I think they must be faking it really well!