Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
Many times on my blog, I’ve answered the question of why you, a writer (singular), might need an agent (also singular). But today I want to answer a slightly different question. How do authors, collectively, benefit from agents (plural)? How does the existence of agents in this business help all authors?
You, as an individual author, may or may not require the services of an individual agent. But whether or not you realize it, whenever you deal with a publisher, you’re benefitting from the collective work of agents over the years.
For the last few decades, agents have been on the front lines when it comes to advocating for authors in their relationships with publishers. It’s interesting to speculate on the state of publishing contracts if agents had never been involved and authors had to fend for themselves or just take whatever the publisher was offering.
The economics of publishing are tough, and like in any business, publishers are always trying to figure ways to save money — or a least keep their money longer. Occasionally they come up with brilliant money-saving ideas that involve paying authors less. They lower royalty rates; they bump up the royalty breaks (i.e. raise the number of copies you must sell before increasing to a higher royalty rate); they may extend the length of time over which they pay out the author’s advance; and they pay lower advances.
Those are the simple things. The last couple of years have seen publishers and agents in serious discussion over rights reversion, non-compete clauses, e-book royalty rates and numerous other things, especially related to new digital technologies. It’s complicated and tricky trying to negotiate all these points in rapidly changing publishing environment.
But over all the years and all the changes in publishing, agents collectively have had the knowledge and the clout to talk with publishers on a contract-by-contract basis, holding as much ground for authors as possible. As we continue into the confusing new world of digital publishing, authors are going to need advocates more than ever. You are going to have your hands full, trying to work your full-time job plus write your books plus market them. Do you really want to be in business with a huge international corporation without a knowledgeable advocate on your team?
If you sign with a royalty publisher and remain agentless, you may be missing out on the latest knowledge and expertise that will protect the value of your intellectual property; but you’ll probably also benefit from the work agents have already done in the last few decades. Your agent doesn’t just work for you. Each agent is, in their own small way, protecting the rights of all authors. So love ’em or hate ’em, if you’re an author, agents are your friends.
P.S. I imagine some of you will argue that it’s really the other way around—that agents need authors. Well, of course that’s true. We need authors if we want this job. But if authors didn’t need agents, none of us would have this agenting job in the first place, so it’s kind of a moot point. When authors stop needing agents, agents will cease to play a part in the publishing industry.
Have you ever thought about how authors have collectively benefitted from the work of agents? What are YOUR thoughts on why authors need agents?
I found this to be beneficial and interesting. It seems that an agent is always a good choice in this day in age of publishing.
I understand completely why having an agent is important to my career, but until reading your post, Rachelle, I hadn’t thought about the collective benefits. Since my writing career spans the pre- and post- advent of the Internet, I have realized how much pertinent information agents disperse to authors through their blogs and the social media. I do appreciate that so very much!
When I read this, my mind wandered to the concept of a cartographer. Back in the days of seafarers, unknown lands and vast expanses of ocean, cartographers had an important, critical job. Each map that came back was more accurate than the preceeding one. One hopes. I’m fairly certain that the Vikings (hello HDG!) and then later the likes of Magellan, Cortez, Columbus and all those French guys who came up this way were depending on the artitistic and mathematic skills of the cartographers.
Now it’s all GPS and cell towers.
An agent’s job 5 years ago must have been a whole lot of different than now.(And that’s only, what, 10,000 queries?)
As a whole, just the collective knowledge and experience of the woman at Books and Such alone would be worth its weight in (Canadian chocolate ) gold.
Which translates to the best deals possible for writers, publishers and agents.
I’m fine with a compass, great with a map and awesome with telling my husband to turn left or right. But pah-leeeease don’t ask me to navigate the Sea of Publishing alone!
Thar be monsters afoot!
*womEn, sorry!
Love the analogy, Jennifer. 🙂 I want, need a compass too.
I know that I hope to one day have an agent to help navigate the changing tides in the publishing industry. I hadn’t considered the benefit agents collectively have provided for authors collectively (whether or not they are represented by an agent).
One thing I believe is beneficial for authors who have agents is that agents give their clients their experience with story (or content for non-fiction authors) creation/enhancement. They help an author see ways to improve the story through edits and with the knowledge of what publishing houses look for/expect. I’m sure there are other advantages for authors who agents also. 🙂
Articulated very well — looking forward to the day I don’t just ‘need’ one & actually have something for one to do. 🙂
A question for you … when I look at the world of agents, I see many, many very small agencies around the world. Are there any coordinating mechanisms that allow agents greater heft in the marketplace? Greater power when dealing with publishing corporations?
I’ve selfishly thought only about how much I need an agent’s expertise and guidance, so this is enlightening. Thanks so much for the insight.
I hadn’t thought about collective benefit, but it makes sense. All I know is that I want an agent to help navigate all of those contract terms. I’d be lost on my own!
Appreciate the information, especially as I hit it my hand to my forehead saying “duh”. Makes complete sense!
Rachelle,
In the past, I have published without an agent, but am now represented by one of the best. I can’t begin to tell you the incredible value she has brought to the table, not only in her ability to negotiate with publishers, but in her encouragement and guidance throughout my writing process.
This has allowed me to concentrate on what I do best, and not be concerned about the business aspect. I am an owner of a large business, and in the past, have been in the position of CEO of a multimillion dollar company. None of that prepared me to be my own agent, and as a new writer, I had no credibility with publishers.
I have always respected what literary agents do, but now that I have seen the process in action, I am in awe. Without agents (like you), the writing industry would be in chaos.
Thank you for this article.
Generally true, this post.
Unfortunately, I have never had an agent even return my email, so I haven’t had the pleasure.
I’ve been left to my own devices. No worries, all is well. I have 15 years in real estate, so I know my way around a contract and a little due diligence online as to the issues mentioned above, and I might fare well enough. Not like publishers are getting back to me either.
And my work is good.
I’m drowned out by a saturated market, agents with a slush pile deeper the the ocean, and publishers that won’t talk to you without an agent. Agents won’t even say “no thanks”.
Just silence.
so, for me the issue is moot.
I was there, Samuel, right where you are for 5 years. Keep writing. Don’t give up. Write that next book and the next. It’s a tough market but if a little gal like me from a town of 600 people can crack the big publishers, so can you, especially with your marketing experience. Pin your heart on your sleeve and see the world through your characters’ eyes. It’s fine, fine view. Good luck! You’re suddenly on my prayer list, like it or not. Wow, God doesn’t ask that of me too often. I’m excited to see where you’re going.
Sue, that is timely encouragement from someone who has been there, thank you.
Thanks that really helps. I am rewriting my first book after entering a writing contest in February 2012; the critique I received really helped me and the reader wanted to know more, so I am writing.
Agents are a vital part of the fine print in an author’s career. All of the small things that we aren’t trained to see, all of the relationships agents develop that allow them to read between the lines of the industry to know what is really needed, and all of the details of our career that they advise us about.
Agents also take the time to do the job of helping us market and sell our work. Without agents in the industry I bet a lot less books would be written because of time writers spend negotiating the business details.
Agents are also our champions and truth speakers, the Proverbs definition of a real friend. I’m blessed to have a friend like that in this industry.
This is an angle I had not considered that agents raise the bar generally for all authors.
I think having an agent is a wise move. They are more specialized in negotiations and contracts than I am sure most writers are.
My other thought about agents is that if you have an agent, you can think about your writing and only your writing. You don’t have to study publishing companies. You don’t have to worry about making as many connections with editors as possible, that’s what the agent does. So you the writer can focus on your creativity and of course marketing your books when they come out.
Jane Yolen told me (in an email) that having an agent gave her the freedom to just write and write anything she wanted to.
Inasmuch as I agree that agents collectively help agented authors, unagented authors are still left to fend for themselves. This summer I signed a contract without an agent. It was not my plan, but it was July, half the country was on vacation or on fire, and I didn’t have enough time to secure an agent. So I signed. I’m very happy with my publisher, but it would have been nice to have had an advocate in my corner helping me understand the contract.
On the other hand, reading this blog and those of other agents has taught me so much, so in that respect, I have definitely been blessed by agents–just not directly.
Rachelle, thank you for the thought-provoking post. I actually have reflected a bit on this topic because of somethings that Janet and Wendy have said the agency is working on accomplishing with publishers that will benefit authors across the board. Thank you for all that you do.
Generally, I try not to be negative, but you brought up the “agents wouldn’t have agenting jobs without writers” moot point. Yes, it is a moot point. Just as there no longer are gas streetlamps, being a gaslighter is no longer a job option. Agents do benefit writers a great deal. Publishing houses also benefit writers. I have said repeatedly that I want to go the traditional route in order to have a team of experts help me publish and market my book. But it is a fact that both agents and publishing houses need writers because, without writers, there would be no books for agents and publishers to sell. Neither could make money without authors. I just find it strange, therefore, in this symbiotic relationship (because writers really do benefit from both agents and publishers) why writers seem to end up as beggars at the palace gate. The simple answer might be competition but, for me, it doesn’t seem enough of an answer.
Thanks to all of you for helping all of us. And thanks to Rachelle for helping us appreciate you.
“Have you ever thought about how authors have collectively benefitted from the work of agents?”
I’ve mentioned before how the publishing industry can offer parallels to understanding the larger national debate on jobs, industry, and the economy, and once more we can see some parallels.
I know guys and gals from small Mid-Western towns, the sort that all too often nowadays have more foreclosure signs than families in the front yard. Yet some of them have hard-fought contracts through their unions which allow them to earn a wage which helps them weather this era of uncertainty. So whenever I hear our govenor denigrating the efforts of prior generations who decided to risk their fortunes and gains for their children to have a better opportunity for economic prosperity (….try talking to some of the old folks from Kentucky about what it was like when the coal miners tried to unionize. Just make sure you have a box of tissues when you do), I wonder if he still feels comfortable calling himself a man of family values. Because whatever he values the average family at, he seems to prefer policies which sell them short.
So that is a roundabout way of saying, Yes, I appreciate the collective work agents have done for writers over the years, and that in this new era we must be vigilant to make sure those gains are not lost.
I’ve never considered the collective benefit. I’m just really glad I’ve had you as an agent, Rachelle. Having an agent helps me sleep at night. And being one of those writers with a full time job, and knowing some of the things that can happen to us after we sign a contract, well, I’d be lost without you. Really. Life’s hard enough, agents give writers some breathing space when everything crowds in on us.
Thank you for this thoughtful post! I always have respected agents and desired quite strongly to find one who would like to take my novel. I also was vaguely aware that agents navigate the legal waters for authors – a thought which reassures me greatly, I must say.
However, I had never realized that agents are out there waging the legal battle every day to help the balance between authors and publishers remain stable. What I say is: thank you! I’m so glad there is a group of people out there who want to take on that job.
Yes! I have thought how agents in general help authors. And I have no desire to do all the work an agent does. Though, as an author, I realize it’s important to be informed, to understand all the details in a changing world would take away time I need elsewhere. I’m hoping to align with someone who will advocate for me with the knowledge I don’t have. I NEED an agent.
The information is quite helpful and I have no doubt I will have an agent and will pass on this blog post to one of my writer friends.
I have to admit I chuckled at your PS. Of course agents need authors, so do publishing companies. Authors need agents for the reasons you listed as well as publishing companies to put their books in front of the one group all three need: READERS. Let’s all join hands, sing kumbaya, and appreciate one another.
You missed one thing that some agents do for authors. It’s something you do regularly that I’m very grateful for. You blog about publishing, how to break into the business, how to craft everything from a query letter to a contract, and how to be professionals. It has been invaluable.
Such a great point—the agent does what he/she knows: maneuvering all of the mine-fields of modern publishing giving authors time to do what they know and enjoy—Writing.
Love this article. I started my career with one agent, then we parted ways and I negotiated two contracts on my own and self-published. Then I found and signed with my new agent, Tamela Hancock-Murray. While my self-publishing endeavor has been a positive experience, I know that I have benefitted from having Tamela and the Steve Laube Agency in my corner for contract negotiations, industry knowledge and awareness of writing opportunities.
I’d love to have an agent! I’ve been rejected by some of the best. 😉 Les Stobbe emphasized that I need a national platform before anybody would work with me. I’ve been working on that for several months now.
I got past the initial round of cuts at DC Jacobson, but a year into it was informed that they couldn’t take me on. I’ve talked with a couple more agents at Christian writers conferences. They are free with info and have the same themes in their suggestions. So, I’ll keep plugging along – taking advantage of agents’ expertise – until one decides to take me on.
(And I’ll keep reading their blogs, too.)
I can’t sing the praises of my agent loud enough – she is the B-E-S-T!
Thanks for taking your time to help us struggling authors. This blog confirms that I need to find an agent when my proposal is ready.
…and both authors and agents need publishers.
This article is very helpful to me.Thanks for sharing this Article.