CHAPTER 11

Considering an Agent

Do you really need an agent? That question is for you to answer, but this chapter will offer all the information you need to make an educated decision. What exactly does a book agent do? How do you find one, and how do you know if the one you found is legit? You may wonder why writers are always thanking their agents in the front of their books and in interviews. Can't a writer do it all herself? Here's the inside scoop.

An Agent's Job

A literary agent works as a go-between for writers and publishers. This includes sending the manuscript to editors, negotiating contracts, and handling payments and royalty statements. Both aspiring and seasoned writers can benefit greatly from the assistance of a good agent. If an agent is on board with your project, he will take quite a load of responsibility from you and can get your manuscript into the hands of editors you otherwise would not have had the means to reach.

It is an agent's job to know how to negotiate the publishing industry. Agents are up-to-date on current market information; they know what books are currently being published, what trends have passed, and how to frame a book idea in marketing terms. They know what publishers are looking for. They know who to contact and have established relationships with editors at large and small publishing houses. Bottom line: it is an agent's job to represent you and convince editors to publish your work, and they have the unique experience to do so.

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You can trust that a good agent is going to help you get the best deal possible for your manuscript. Having an agent on your side will relieve you of the stress of having to learn how to negotiate a contract. (However, it is always a good idea for you to learn about contracts, so you feel confident about what you are signing.) An agent will know what the going rate is for your type of book, as well as what the typical contract stipulations are.

Opening Doors

Some publishing companies do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. On your own, you would not be able to get the attention of an editor working for one of these houses. An agent can. Agented manuscripts find their way directly into the hands of editors who are best able to give them consideration; without an agent, your manuscript may spend months waiting for the attention it deserves.

Unsolicited manuscripts go into the “slush pile,” which an editorial assistant is tasked with wading through. Keep in mind that a high number of those manuscripts will either be inappropriate for that particular publisher or just flat-out terrible. Having yours mixed in with all the others doesn't always bode well. For one, you are relying on the opinion of an editorial assistant, or an unpaid intern, for your manuscript to even reach the desk of an editor. Secondly, you could be waiting several months for your manuscript to go through the needed channels, all the while wondering if you should wait for this particular publisher to respond or should go ahead and send your manuscript elsewhere.

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Agents do not take all potential clients under their wings. Quite often, agents already have an extensive client list that they must address before taking on anything else. Although they may want to, some simply do not have the time or energy to devote to editing or delivering book concepts.

Agents can get your manuscript in the door and on the desk of an editor quickly. Agents also know just the right buttons to push with editors. It is their job to sell your manuscript. Therefore, they know what phrases and statistics to use; they know what aspects of the manuscript should be addressed; and they know how to build excitement and enthusiasm. In addition to being book lovers, they are experts in the art of the sales pitch.

Help Along the Way

When an agent believes in a client, or in a particular book project, he may be willing to spend a great deal of time working with the writer to turn an idea into something that can sell. Many agents edit book proposals by hand — many even suggest what books their clients should write. Whereas a publishing company may simply send you a rejection letter without explaining exactly why the manuscript was unsuitable, an agent may decline the manuscript as is, but recognize the promise in your abilities and work with you to create a publishable manuscript. Agents are in the business of building writers' careers. After all, if a writer becomes successful, her agent also becomes successful.

Hands-on technique varies from agent to agent. Depending on the size of the agent's client list, or the busyness of a particular season, some agents will edit your manuscript, while others may recommend hiring a freelance editor and provide you with contact names. Others will briefly state in a letter what you need to work on or what they would like to see done to the manuscript.

The Tradeoff

Agents do a tremendous amount of skillful work on behalf of their clients, so naturally they need to be compensated. Agents help their writers shape manuscripts and secure contracts with major publishers. If you want an agent to do these things for you, understand that the two things you must give to your agent are money and control.

Money

The good news is the publisher will pay the agent. The bad news is that it is your money the agent is taking a cut from. Because agents handle the monies and royalty statements, the check cut for your manuscript is sent to your agent. The agent takes out a commission between 10 and 20 percent (usually 15 for domestic sales), and then cuts a check to you for the remaining money.

Sometimes agents working for small agencies or operating their own businesses also expect to be reimbursed for certain expenses. Most often these expenses will include such things as postage, express deliveries, photocopies, and so on. These expenses will range from about $150 to $300 initially, and could be charged up front. Beware of any agent charging you much more than $300 in up-front overhead fees. Be sure to ask if there are any additional expenses that you will be required to incur. Also keep in mind that these expenses should not be charged to you without your permission; anything deducted from your check should have been approved by you beforehand.

You will almost always have to sign a contract with the agent. The contract should cover the agent's compensation, how long the contract remains in effect, and exactly what the agent is responsible for.

Control

While having an agent take on the responsibility of submission certainly makes your job easier, it's important to understand that by taking on an agent you have to give up a level of control. Trust that the agent is going to do his job to the best of his abilities. It is the agent's job to place your manuscript. If you don't feel comfortable leaving the selling to someone else, then don't hire an agent.

If you have specific publishing companies in mind that you believe would be a good fit for your book, the most you can do is pass the names along to your agent. It is unlikely that you will have direct control over the submission process. While a good agent will consider your suggestions, especially if you can back them up with reasons why your manuscript would fit the company's list, the agent doesn't have to act on them. An agent's priority is to sell your manuscript, and your thoughts on a particular publisher may not be in line with your agent's more experienced view. In this case, you have to trust your agent's knowledge of the industry.

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A lot of trust is involved (on both sides) in taking on an agent. It is important that before you sign a contract with an agency, you know that the agent is someone you can work well with. You are attempting to create a lasting professional relationship, one that will lead to several book contracts and an overall boost in your career.

Also keep in mind that responses from editors will go through your agent. You may not even see them at all. You will also have to hand over control of contract negotiations. You can bet that your agent will do his best to get you a good deal, since he gets paid a percentage of your negotiated fee. You always have final authority over whether or not to sign the contract, but negotiating the best deal possible is the sole job of your agent.

Where to Look

So you want an agent, but you aren't sure where to find one. There are several good places to search for suitable agents, but finding a good agent can be trickier than finding a publisher, and finding the right one for you may take a fair amount of time and energy. If your primary motive for finding an agent is to avoid all the research you would have to do to find a publisher, you may be disappointed. There is no quick and easy approach to getting your book published, although once you find the right agent, you can stop focusing on how to get published and get back to writing. There are quite a few places you can search for an agent, some more reliable than others. Start with those listed here, but don't limit your search to only these.

Association of Authors' Representatives

The Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR) is an excellent resource for finding legitimate literary agents. The AAR has a strict canon of ethics that agents must adhere to in order to be members. For instance, to qualify for membership, the agent must have been practicing for at least two years and can't charge the client up-front fees.

You can find the list of members, which includes names and addresses, by visiting www.aar-online.org. You will also find here AAR's membership qualifications and Canon of Ethics.

Literary Market Place

The Literary Market Place (LMP), mentioned in Chapter 10 as a top resource for finding a publisher, can also help you find an agent. The LMP includes a section devoted to literary agents, including international agents. Here you will find names, addresses, and specialties included in the profiles, among other information.

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While those listed in the LMP are required to provide at least three letters of recommendation, you should still conduct your own background research before signing on with an agent. You can never be too careful with the manuscript you worked so hard to produce.

Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents

The Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents is a handy guide for the author determined to secure the representation of an agent. Here you will find the necessary contact information for over 500 literary agencies. You will also find submission guidelines and individual needs specific to each of these agencies.

AgentQuery.com

AgentQuery.com is a website dedicated to helping writers find legitimate representation. This site is easy to use and is constantly being updated. Search results include the name of the agent, the name of the agency, the postal address, the web address, the genres represented, and whether or not they are currently accepting queries. All the agents in their database have been thoroughly screened, and the service is free for writers.

Agent Research & Evaluation

Agent Research & Evaluation (AR&E) is a company that provides a number of services to help you locate an agent. This is a business and they charge fees (ranging from $25 to $240) for most of their services. They conduct the research on agents and provide you with a detailed report of the agent's deals. If you can justify the cost, this can be a very valuable source of information for your research needs.

AR&E also provides a free service through which you give the company an agent's name and it will tell you whether there is a public record on that particular agent and/or if there are any negative reports about him or her. You can also find a list of agents, though only names are provided. Visit www.agentresearch.com or write to Agent Research & Evaluation, 334 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10014 for more information.

Researching Your Agent

It is imperative that you know your agent before conducting any type of business with her. You want to know that your manuscript will be properly represented. Good literary agents can work wonders in their fields of specialty. A not-so-good literary agent can alienate prospective editors for your work and reduce your chances of getting published.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of scam artists out there who prey on the eagerness (or desperation) of first-time writers. Don't let your enthusiasm get the better of your judgment.

Pre-Contact Research

While your initial search will likely provide a long list of names, not all of these will be suitable for your type of manuscript. Sending a query letter to an agent who does not handle your type of book will be a waste of time for both you and the agent. Check the websites of all the agents on your list, and only query those definitely handling children's books like yours. If your book is a board book for toddlers, don't send your query to an agent whose only children's book clients are those writing teen mysteries.

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Keep an eye out for two good warning signs that will flag scam artists: literary agents who charge you fees before selling your manuscript (though some will require that you pay for certain expenses such as mailing) and literary agents who seek you out (unless, of course, you are a big-name author).

Pre-Signing Research

Let's jump ahead a bit and say that you have an agent interested in representing you. While you may be overjoyed and certain that all your dreams are about to come true, you need to settle yourself down and take a rational approach. Do not immediately sign a contract with the agency. You need to find out a few things first:

Of course, many of these questions can be answered by carefully reading through the agent's website, but be sure to verify any facts listed. After reviewing the website, make a list of questions that haven't been answered. Use the above list, but also add other questions you may have. The AAR's website, www.aar-online.org, also provides a list of questions to ask an agent.

When talking to a prospective agent, pay attention to how she listens and responds to your questions. Is this the kind of person you would want to do business with? Be cautious and go with your gut instinct.

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If it is at all possible to meet the agent in person, do. Having the opportunity to discuss things face-to-face will give you a better sense of how she will handle the care and sale of your manuscript.

Feel free to ask the agent to clarify anything you don't understand. If the agent is vague or unwilling to answer your questions, don't sign on with her. It's a good bet she will be equally vague throughout your working relationship. Even if the agent is legitimate, you shouldn't be left in the dark when it comes to understanding the process of getting your book sold.

Submitting to an Agent

First of all, you need to have a completed manuscript before you consider getting an agent. An agent won't represent you based solely on your ideas, especially if you have not been previously published. Make sure your manuscript has gone through the needed revision process however many times it takes to get it as close to perfect as you can. You must be confident in your work if you want it to go any farther than your own desk.

The Query Letter

While each agency has its own submission guidelines, most often agents ask to only be sent a query letter at first. The query letter is your introduction. You should keep it very short and to the point. Don't let your letter go beyond a page. Put your writing skills to the test here.

You should introduce yourself and state that you are interested in finding representation for your book. Mention any works you have previously published. (Agents are more likely to take on writers who have already proven their abilities and have their work out there.) If you haven't been published, don't apologize or make excuses, just don't address this issue.

If you have any credentials that will help sell the book, mention these. Maybe you have a popular blog or kids' website, or maybe you give presentations on the same subject as your book — anything that shows you have an audience can help your case.

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Keep in mind that the query letter is your initial contact. You will have to write a strong letter to capture the agent's attention and get her excited about the book — and you. If you manage this, the agent will then ask to see your manuscript. From there, your manuscript will be your primary selling tool.

State what type of book you have written (middle-grade historical fiction, fiction picture book, young adult novel, etc.) and give a brief description. Keep it short! Just write one or two paragraphs describing the book in a fun, intriguing way. Remember, your goal at this point is just to develop enough interest in your idea that the agent asks you to send your manuscript.

Proofread your letter, make sure your contact information is clear, and send it off, making sure to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for a response. You will probably want to send queries to several agents at once. There aren't any rules pertaining to this, but keep in mind that for an unpublished author, the odds are against you in finding an agent. Therefore, it may be best to send query letters in batches of, say, ten to save time. Don't be discouraged if your first batch comes back without an invitation to send in your completed manuscript; just go to the next ten on your list and keep your fingers crossed.

Manuscript Submission

If an agent asks to see your manuscript or a sample, send it right away. You've already captured the agent's interest; don't give him time to forget you. Agents deal with many query letters every day, and until you are signed, you aren't the agent's main priority. Also be sure to follow the agent's instructions — don't send in a completed manuscript if the agent wants to see only a chapter.

Read over your manuscript one more time before submitting it. Watch for typos and make sure you haven't left in any notes to yourself. The submission should look clean and professional.

The Final Decision

Rather than flat-out rejecting your work, several agents may request to see your full manuscript. This is a very good sign, but it does not guarantee an offer of representation. You will probably be declined more than once at this stage in the process. Once an agent does come forward with an offer, the final decision to sign with him is, of course, yours to make. Take some time to think this through before diving in headfirst. You will have to do a lot of work either way — whether you decide to find an agent or submit to publishing companies yourself.

The Pros and Cons

On one hand, an agent who has agreed to represent you is confident in his ability to sell your manuscript. He already knows whom to contact and how to pitch your manuscript. He has experience and expertise that you don't. He will be a big help in taking you through your first publication. He will be able to open doors that you couldn't open on your own. He will make sure you get a good deal and work with you to publish even more. A lot can be said for having a good agent on your side.

On the other hand, you don't necessarily need an agent to get published. While there are certainly several publishers of adult literature that do not accept unsolicited or unagented material, the children's publishing industry is slightly more accepting of unsolicited material. You will need to know the market and the various publishers anyway, so perhaps the main factor will not be your time and energy, but rather the level of your sales and contract expertise.

Money is another big thing to consider. An agent will take 10 to 20 percent of what you make. This can add up to a lot, when you could potentially do the work yourself and keep all the profits. Plus, it can be just as hard for an unpublished author to find an agent as it is to find a publisher — in which case, the time you put into finding an agent could have been used to find a publisher.

When the Time Is Right

You also have the option of contacting publishers and pitching your manuscript yourself, then getting an agent when you reach the contract stage. This will give you complete control over your manuscript and the submission process and gain you the support of an ally who will go to bat for you. Agents know the legal jargon associated with publishing contracts. They know how to negotiate with the publishers. And they know what type of deal to expect. Many authors find contract negotiation to be a little tricky, especially if they are first-time writers.

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If you don't want to pay an agent's commission on a book you sold yourself, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer for a one-time fee to go over the contract for you. Many lawyers will not have dealt with publishing contracts, so you should try to find one who has.

You shouldn't have a problem getting an agent if you have already reached the contract stage. This is easy money for a literary agent. You may wonder why you would need an agent at this stage if you have already done the rest of the work yourself. Well, you don't really need an agent, but it is good to have one. And as long as you are under contract with an agent, he will help sell your next books, making this whole process more straightforward in the future.