Comments on: Following the Rules: Agents and Editors

By: KC Frantzen

KC Frantzen — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:37:38 +0000

Thanks Wendy.
You hear so many things it’s hard to know which avenue to take!
This Books & Such blog is just the best – we appreciate the perspective each of you brings.

By: ginko

ginko — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:09:04 +0000

Hello
I am a writer and I was looking this kind of tips for a long.This information will be really very helpful for me.Thank you very much for giving such tis to us.You have done a good job at least for me.

By: Wendy Lawton

Wendy Lawton — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:03:57 +0000

KC,
There are a variety of answers to your question because writers (and agents) are a varied lot. Not many agents shun unpublished writers. There’s nothing an agent loves more than discovering a bright new talent.

The competition for the few open slots is fierce however. When you writing starts winning competitions and getting great feedback from experienced readers it might be time for you to begin to seek representation. You just need to be persistent. Rejections are not necessarily about you or your writing. It’s more commonly about the agent’s availability at the time, the market realities, etc.

One of the reasons I always stress multiple paths to publishing is that you may have more success with a workaround of one kind or another. I’ve had many clients come to me with their first contract already in hand– a contract they netted themselves.

By: KC Frantzen

KC Frantzen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:26:10 +0000

Judy, you blessed lady!
I hope one day to be represented by this great agency myself.

Wendy, thank you for your blog this week. I’m learning so much from each of you.

A quick question: what are your views for an unpublished author even needing an agent? Or perhaps an expansion of that concept, WHEN does an author need to consider representation? There’s such a variety of answers on this…

(If this was already covered, sorry ’bout that!)

By: Judy Gann

Judy Gann — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Important post, Wendy. Thanks for sharing these tips.

I think the key in both relationships is keeping the lines of communication open through whatever methods your agent or editor prefers. It’s easy for misunderstandings to develop or for the author to forget to communicate important information.

On the other hand, some agents (waving at Wendy) make a client feel like their only client. We need to remember we’re one of many and to be patient while waiting for a response.

Like you said, use common sense. Seasoned with grace.