Comments on: To Be or Not to Be Agented, That is the Question

By: Mary Latela

Mary Latela — Mon, 23 May 2016 13:51:36 +0000

Amanda, in your technically savvy search for an agent, you learned something crucial “I slowly learned an interesting lesson. It didn’t matter how good my writing was. What mattered was whether the marketers believed my book could sell, and in numbers.”

The agent is not your therapist, big sister, best friend. Her wages depend on choosing well – what will sell, what will sell big. She has one item which you may need … the KEY to being read, more or less objectively, but always listening for high interest and sales. Thanks for your strong reminder. Mary Latela

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 21:29:25 +0000

Great article. I had an agent, and she helped place my debut novel with a small press (couldn’t have done it without her), but she retired shortly after the contract was signed. I wondered often during the last year whether or not having an agent would have provided me with more appearances and promotional opportunities. My publisher assisted some in that regard, but being a small press they are careful with their resources and there were times that I had wishes I still had an agent by my side throughout the promotional phase. Anyway, I now find myself in the same boat as you, trying to decide if I need an agent for my next book or not. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! Very helpful. All the best!

By: Shelley Day

Shelley Day — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:19:24 +0000

In reply to Laurie Gardiner. Hi Laurie, I am in a similar place to you, my debut novel to be published by a small Indie press in the summer. You talk about how much work 'marketing' involved,, can you offer any hints of where I might find out how to do 'marketing' ? Is there some checklist somewhere (probably a case of 'dream on'!) or did you just follow your nose? Did you learn anything along the marketing road that it might be useful to share with newbies like me? Tall order, I know, but I thought I'd ask anyway! Thanks for your time! Shelley

By: Carol Fragale Brill

Carol Fragale Brill — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:35:29 +0000

Amanda, so much of your story resonates and in some ways parallels my own.
I remember being very excited for (and a little jealous) when one of my peers in our MFA program got an agent while we were still students.
She asked why I was so excited and said something like, “don’t get too hopeful, having an agent is just another level of rejection.”
At the time I thought she was cynical, not I know she was realistic.
all the best,
carol

By: Amanda Holmes

Amanda Holmes — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 02:06:44 +0000

In reply to Carol Hedges.

Don’t you get the sense that there’s this whole underbelly of literary fiction out there – or at least fiction that by all estimates is GOOD, but that just never gets noticed. But again, a small readership is better than none at all. Thanks for your comment, Carol, and best of luck with the book.

By: Amanda Holmes

Amanda Holmes — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 02:04:43 +0000

In reply to Catherine Hokin.

Absolutely true, Catherine. Marketing is the next battle. And it’s as much work marketing a book as it is writing one, it seems to me. However, if an agent gets you a big publisher this still doesn’t necessarily mean they market your book. I’ve heard other horror stories on that score – but that is a whole other article!

By: Carol Hedges

Carol Hedges — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 17:57:48 +0000

Read with HUGEinterest. I was with David Higham ..one of the top London agents. BUT as you say, suffered constant rejection after 4 books placed with Usborne. Agent started to disbelieve in me, I felt. Changed genre..agent hated it. We parted company. The OTHER problem with agents is they take 10% off your meagre royalties….

By: Catherine Hokin

Catherine Hokin — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 17:56:28 +0000

Very interesting -I’ve been picked up by a small independent and am about to be published. That in itself is great but don’t under-estimate how good you have to become at marketing and how hard it can be for small publishers to deliver what you need. Steep learning curve.

By: Pam Schmid

Pam Schmid — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:22:08 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing your story! This is the very question I’ve been pondering lately. I’ve queried goodness knows how many agents for my memoir, and a handful have asked for and read the full manuscript. But while many have told me how much they love my writing, it’s always been, “We don’t know how we could market this.” I’m heartened to know your book found a great home at last. I think I will continue on two tracks — query agents, yes, but also seek out some small indy publishers that are less concerned about strong sales out of the gate and more focused on publishing quality work.

By: Ashley B. Davis

Ashley B. Davis — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 02:15:21 +0000

Fantastic and thought-provoking post. This has me rethinking some things. Great points and thank you for sharing your experiences!