Wow, an agent!

[Neil]

I was recently contacted by a prominent NY literary agency who shall remain nameless at this point, about possible representation. They got wind of me because of my constant promotional efforts and then explored a little deeper into the kinds of books that I write. They have not said they will definitely represent me but want to see more samples of my writing and my future projects.

I am having a tough time trying to decide what to do about this sudden interest in me so I’ve listed the pros and cons of having an agent at this point in the game.

First the pros: It will open me up to a higher level of the industry; also, I may get a large advance (though advances are rapidly disappearing), I can tell all my friends I have a big-time agent… that’s about it. I’m sure there’s more, but that’s the gist if I don’t have to worry about contracts, clauses, and timeframes.

Now the cons of having an agent: I can’t write whatever I want and must adhere to what someone else will think will sell, I can only put out a book a year even if I write more, I have to wait a minimum of two years for a book to go through the publishing process before it even gets on a shelf, (if bookstores still even exist at that point), my royalties will be less than half what I make now, I have to wait for committees and meetings and budget proposals before I even know if my book will be published, it will only be published if the house thinks it will make them money— I’ve had enough!

Although it is as alluring to sign with an agent as it is to eat the forbidden apple, I must confess I think I’m done with the corporate BS for good. When I was signed with FinePrint Lit and then Signature Lit., my agent and I came close to signing a deal so many times my heart just couldn’t take it anymore.

The last straws for me were when one of my middle grade sci-fi novels was rejected, not because the editor didn’t think it was good (he said it was great) but because their marketing department said it wouldn’t appeal to girls age 9-12. Another editor (the VP of Random House Children’s Division) requested and read one of my other YA fantasy books in one night. He got back to my agent the next day praising the book, but said he had no idea how he would get it passed the dozens of hurdles needed to publish when the story was so non-mainstream. He rejected it.

Sitting here, thinking back to those heartbreaking days and thinking about the joy I feel every time I see another one of my books sell on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, or through Smashwords, I just can’t justify signing away my artistic freedom just to boost my ego. I think I’ll stay indie, thank you.

To read more about me and my books please check out my blog: ALWAYS WRITING

Click here to read my blog!
http://www.neilostroff.blogspot.com

[R.]

Neil wrote: "I was recently contacted by a prominent NY literary agency who shall remain nameless at this point, about possible representation. They got wind of me because of my constant promotional efforts and..."

Neil, I always love to read your posts. They are always well spoken, meaningful, and truthful. I had been questioning the same with myself. Was it even worth my time to seek out an agent, wait, have my heart broken and wonder what was wrong with my writing? I wasn't even sure of the pros to having an agent. But the cons alone don't sound appeasing. So I will stick with indie as well and just work on serious promotion of my work.

[C.M.J.]

Hi, Neil,

Forgive any huge display of ignorance here, but never having had a book traditionally published, I haven't a clue. Is it possible for you to self-publish some books while having others traditionally published? Could you contractually impose some sort of time limit for the publisher so that if they don't publish your work, you can? Maybe having an agent could become the best of both worlds if so....

[David]

Here is my thing. if an agent or publisher can't promote a good book in todays market, then they are not very good....then again neither am I ha, but I wont pay others to fail just as bad as me. The only bright side to an agent is they have connections that I otherwise would never find. They find you publishers.

Being jobless and all hiring an agent isn't even an option so for now I must look at stories like yours and try harder.

[Neil]

Thanks Rolanda. C.M.J., I guess you could sign a contract for just one book, but I think it would be hard on an agent and publisher watching you get royalties from books thay aren't representing, while they help build your brand.

[C.M.J.]

Ah. Yes, I suppose they wouldn't want to represent you for very long, in that case.

[Shaun]

This is my understanding.

Being under contract with an agent does not mean you can only write for them. You can write one book, have them shop it around, and in the meantime, write another book and decide to self-publish it, while your agent is still shopping the first book around. An agent doesn't get first-right to your books or anything. Depending on where you go, being a Hybrid author is becoming a popular alternative to the idea that between self and traditional publishing you have to be one or the other.

While there are a lot of downsides to having your book go through a traditional publishing process, including the loss of creative control and less than half the royalties of self-publishing, there are upsides, which include their promotional aspects. While the power and reach of the traditional publishers is shrinking, it is still nothing to sneeze at, and getting your name out there on a book published by a major company would likely be a boon across all your titles, self-published or not.

Agents cost nothing up-front. They work on a commission, they get paid when you get paid and anything that requires payment from you is usually a scam. In the meantime, could it really hurt to have an agent on call?

[Gaelen]

I love the higher commissions of being indie, and owning the rights to my book. That being said, I will continue to publish indie works but at for at least one book I'm going to try to get an agent/traditional publishing deal, just to experience that road, and know which is better for me. Of course, there's no guarantee I will be picked up by an agent. Neil, I would love to hear more about your experiences should you choose to sign with an agent. Comparing the two worlds.

[Neil]

Absolutely. I chronicle my whole author-life story on my blog.

[Lyn]

Neil,
I have had an agent for 15 years. She and her mentor (who passed away in 2003) have been wonderful to work with.
HOWEVER, I did have a bad first agent. And I've learned that signing with an agent is akin to getting married.
So don't sign until you get the feeling that this agent is 100% on your side and excited about working with you.
I would suggest you sign a limited time agreement with them on one project and see how they react to that. See if they are willing to hear you.
Today agents are scrambling to stay in business. And as you said, advances are dropping like low tide.
So be wise!

[Neil]

Thanks, Lyn.