Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
If you’ve been reading agent blogs for awhile, you’re aware that the agent-client relationship can be a wonderful, long-term, productive association. Like any important relationship, it’s not always easy — sometimes it takes work to make it succeed. It has a better chance of working if each of you has some understanding of what it’s like on the other side of the table.
We agents spend a lot of time with writers, always trying to learn more about what it’s like to be you. So today I want to give you a few tips that will help you understand what it’s like to be us:
Your agent…
…is not a mind reader. If you’re having an issue—if you feel the agent is inattentive, or you need more feedback or more frequent communication—it’s best if you let your agent know. They can’t fix a problem if they’re not aware of it.
…has dozens of clients, while you have one agent. Of course, we try to help you feel like you’re our only client, but you know that’s not true. There’s no excuse for poor communication skills or lack of timely interactions, but if you have a realistic picture of the situation, it’s easier to maintain reasonable expectations.
…wants to hear from you! My clients often start their calls or emails with, “I know you’re busy, I don’t want to take up too much of your time…” and I do appreciate how conscientious people are. But if I’ve agreed to rep you, then I WANT you to take up my time when you need to. So don’t hesitate to make contact.
…has your best interest in mind. Even when we give advice you don’t want to hear, even when we sometimes have to explain that the publisher is right, even when we can’t get you every last contract provision you’d like… we are still advocating for you.
…is probably an agent because of a genuine love for authors, books, and publishing. Don’t forget this basic truth! We are all on the same side. Agents exist to partner with, and advocate for, authors. It’s not an adversarial relationship, and if it is, it’s not working right. Agents aren’t in this business because they want to get rich – if money was the most important thing, they’d be doing something else. Like you, your agent appreciates the written word and wants to see great books published.
What are some hints you’d like to give agents so that they’ll understand what it’s like on YOUR side of the table?
Jeanne T
These are good reminders, Rachelle. I appreciate being able to see the agent-author relationship from your side of the table. I like how you mentioned that one (probably of many) thing agents and authors/writers share is a love of the written word and seeing writers published.
I’m not agented yet, but one thing I’ve heard some of my friends who are mention is that they wish they had a time line of sorts for knowing when their work is being pitched to publishing houses. I can imagine the wait is difficult both for the writer and for the agent. I know timing is a tricky thing in this business. With that being said, I think one thing I’d love to be kept up on is knowing when my one-day agent has pitched my project. I’m not sure, is that unrealistic to want to know?
Krista Van Dolzer
I signed with my (dream) agent a little less than a year ago, and I’m pretty sure she’s figured out I thrive on knowing what to expect. To that end, I just ask her when she thinks she’ll start pitching one of my projects (in a friendly, just-so-I-know-what-to-expect kind of way, of course).
I think so many agent-author problems could be averted if, like Rachelle said, a client just spoke up. You have to be wise, of course; you have to respect your agent’s time and realize you’re not her only client. But I think too many writers live in fear of somehow upsetting their agents. It can’t be a partnership if the two of you aren’t standing on even ground.
Jeanne T
These are great points, Krista. Thank you for sharing them. 🙂
PK Hrezo
Thanks, Rachelle. As a newly agented author it’s good to get this kind of info. I think communication is key and feeling comfortable to ask for more of it if we need it.
Navdeep Kaur
Thank you, Rachelle. I have not gone looking for my soul mate agent yet, but this is great advice for when I do find myself in that relationship.
Sue Harrison
I don’t have any suggestions for agents, more of a “hope.” I know that agents work horrendous hours and sometimes get little back monetarily for that hard work. My hope is that my agent and all other good agents out there realize how grateful their clients are!
Lori Benton
Thanks exactly what I was thinking as I read Rachelle’s post. Grateful!
Jillian Kent
I agree with you, Sue. I have a great agent that I’m grateful for as well. 🙂 You know I think part of the confusion sometimes is that because we understand that agents and ourselves alike are so busy that we want to make certain we have our thoughts and questions well formulated so that we know what we need, what we’re asking for, so that we don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure it out on the phone. And maybe it’s a brainstorming session and you just need to call or e-mail and say “let’s schedule sometime to talk.” I don’t think most things are super urgent most of the time and can wait.
Jill
Roxanne Sherwood Gray
Rachelle,
You’re also an author, so you probably understand more than most what it’s like to be on this side of the table. But one thing to remember is how much insecurity there is for a writer. You produce your best work but don’t know if or when you’ll get a sale, and you don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes day to day.
I avidly attend the agent panels at writers conferences to learn what to expect from an author/agent relationship. Thanks so much for your insight.
Jeff Abbott
I’ve had the same agent now for 15 years and everything you say here is so true. It’s common sense that is easy for stressed authors to forget.
Lisa
That’s for these great thoughts. Agents work through blogs have been invaluable to me and I’m so very thankful!
(I think what I struggle the most with is just not knowing if I will make it or not. There is a lot of uncertainty until you find an agent and publication.)
Jane
The counterpart to “your agent is not a mindreader” is “your client is not a mind-reader either.” This whole business is run on communication, but it never fails to surprise me how bad some writer/agent partners are at communicating, and how often writers are left trying to interpret ambiguous communication or no communication from the agent who signed them.
Lindsay Harrel
I want to be extremely comfortable with my agent, whenever I sign with one. I do hope to make it a lifelong partnership, and obviously, we’ll get to know each other better as time progresses.
Donna Pyle
That’s a GREAT attitude, Lindsay! Well said.
Eileen
One thing that my agent and I have done is to have a yearly “state of the union” meeting. We talk over what I have planned for the year, how sales have gone, any concerns etc. It’s a good time to reflect and plan for the coming year. Communication is 100% the secret. As authors we have vivid imaginations so a non-answer can quickly turn into “they hate the book. They hate me. ahh!!!!” When the truth is more likely that they’re busy.
Annecdotist
I don’t yet have an agent but, on the one hand, since both parties want to see the book get published, the relationship should be fairly straightforward. On the other hand, there must be some much anxiety and tension, especially for mid range and hard to market authors, with so much invested in the partnership, it’s a wonder anyone manages to pull it off at all!
Cheryl Malandrinos
Thanks for the helpful information, Rachelle. It’s so important to remember we have different personalities and thought-processes, and that the relationship only works when both parties are open and honest with each other.
That last point might just be the most important. Often we hear agents called “gatekeepers” trying to keep us out.
Evangeline Denmark
Rachelle, I was so impressed by your comment, “We agents spend a lot of time with writers, always trying to learn more about what it’s like to be you.”
It made me stop and think. Of course I’ve wondered what it’s like to be an agent. I do know a little about your jobs, and I’ve seen how hard you try to be supportive and encouraging. But, on my part, have I put proactive thought into what it’s like to be an agent with the intent of making your job easier? Sure I’ve put lots of thought and work into my manuscript and proposal, but beyond that, have I put myself in your shoes? Not as much as I could have.
We authors sometimes worship the creative process to the detriment of the interpersonal business side of things. I think asking ourselves, “What’s it like to be my agent?” could bring some balance to our writing careers.
Erynn
This along with your last post about not creating a story have been really helpful. I think the hardest thing on our end is wondering what’s going on during the silent stretches.
It helps to remember that “publishing time” is vastly different from “real life time.” But that only goes so far.
Good communication has to make up the rest.
I’m also glad for the reminder that our agents WANT to hear from us. As a newbie, I still carry over some of that “what if I’m bothering her, and she’s going to put me on the “high maintenance client list?” trepidation.
So, thanks for posting! =)
Jinni
I think one things agents should appreciate is that the relationship does not start out on even footing. Except for a few authors who go to agents contract in hand – writers are querying, and begging at the door. To go from that power dynamic – “I’ve landed my *dream* agent” – to one more akin to any give and take relationship – *let’s talk* is difficult.
Diane Yuhas
I appreciate the need for both parties to get to know one another in order to build the best working relationship. I know when I start something new, I’m anxious and all-thumbs until I’ve had some experience. Obviously preparation is essential and I’m learning all I can, but do agents in general expect awkwardness?
Dan Erickson
Thanks for the insight. So far, I’ve chosen to self-publish, but I will be looking for an agent at some point in the future. This is good information to have.
donnie nelson
Well, I spend a lot of time under the table begging for table scraps and I really do appreciate when someone says something friendly and asks me how my day went. That’s when my tail really wags.
Leslie Montgomery
B&S is the first literary agent I’ve even had representing me. Prior to signing on, I attained each of my ten contracts for books with a one-page proposal and a writer’s bio. I couldn’t imagine what an agent could do that I couldn’t. Then I took a four year break to have a family and when I jumped back in all the AEs at the publishing houses I’d worked with in the past were gone and they were asking for a ten page proposal. I was a mess. Graciously, Mary Keeley signed me over the phone during our first conversation and boy has she made me work hard by writing and rewriting, editing and more editing on both my proposals and books. At first I was a little put off, but after I did EVERY thing she wanted I had such a better project that I could have ever imagined. When the rubber hit the road Mary made me look so much better by pushing me to provide a better book. The final product is something I couldn’t have done without her – someone who saw something in me I didn’t even see myself: perserverance,determination,and even talent. I love you Mary – so thankful the Lord brought you into my life!
Leslie Montgomery
B&S is the first literary agent I’ve ever had representing me. Prior to signing on, I attained each of my ten contracts for books with a one-page proposal and a writer’s bio. I couldn’t imagine what an agent could do that I couldn’t. Then I took a four year break to have a family and when I jumped back in all the AEs at the publishing houses I’d worked with in the past were gone and they were asking for a ten page proposal. I was a mess. Graciously, Mary Keeley signed me over the phone during our first conversation and boy has she made me work hard by writing and rewriting, editing and more editing on both my proposals and books. At first I was a little put off, but after I did EVERY thing she wanted I had such a better project that I could have ever imagined. When the rubber hit the road Mary made me look so much better by pushing me to provide a better book. The final product is something I couldn’t have done without her – someone who saw something in me I didn’t even see myself: perserverance,determination,and even talent. I love you Mary – so thankful the Lord brought you into my life!
Andrew Man
Surprises about self publishing?
Wow what a great post from Jennie Nash moving up or is it down to self publishing? I’ve published three books with Indie names and as it’s got more complicated, have moved from US to a UK name? We no longer get to chose the price, but a professional covers only take a week! The most difficult is Jennie’s Pt.4 – the ability to sell your book? Rather than an agent, I use a specialist P.R company to fix issues and find niches I never thought about? As you say its a lot of toughlove!
Jean Ann Williams
A great reminder, Rachelle. One day I will be able to put into practice your advice.
Ann Bracken
Thanks for the information, Rachelle. It helps when we understand an agent’s job so we remain firmly in reality.
I want an agent who keeps me informed. Is it possible to CC the author when you send in a book pitch to a publisher, or are many books put in one pitch? Granted that begs the question if pitches to publishers are done electronically or not.
What is the typical timeline from signing with an agent to getting a book published? What are the steps and how long does each step in the process take? I’d probably bug my future agent less if I know this. Again, I know there are variables (like whether the publisher signs me or not), but what is normal?
Thanks for all you do! Your blog has been a font of knowledge.
Luana Ehrlich
The tenor of your post makes it obvious you have a loving, caring attitude toward your clients. I imagine such an “open door” policy is a blessing to all who walk through it.
Arkenaten
Most writers – me included – would probably sacrifice their right arm and learn to type one handed if they could get ANY agent, let alone a superstar that will make them the next Stephen King or Terry Pratchett. 😉
Peter DeHaan
I suspect most agents have been in publishing long enough that they understand writers quite well.
(Regarding your first point, I tell that to my wife all time time.)
Heather Day Gilbert
I’m constantly aware of how much time my agent pours into my work. I actually pray that HE will get reimbursed someday for all the hours he’s invested in MY career!
I have a tendency to OVER-communicate w/my agents. One thing that has helped me lately (thanks to some advice from a close writer friend–you know who you ARE!) is to type out the email, then sit on it. Usually, the next day, I realize it wasn’t THAT important to take up my agent’s time w/that thought-o-the-day. It’s also great to have writer friends to vent all your frustrations with–esp. during the WAITS that can drive a writer looney! Then you don’t have to dump everything on your spouse or agent.
AFord
Yes, have to agree communication is key, and it’s unfair for me, or any writer for that matter, to expect an agent, seasoned or otherwise, to read our minds. Thanks for sharing this insightful post.