a thought on agents and the literary world

[egypturnash]

So ursulav just posted, in essence, "I'm unfollowing and blocking everyone on Google Buzz because it's ambiguous privacy model has me worried I'll reveal the contact info of my agent and my editor and I'll be the reason they get spammed by a bunch of terrible work."

And I got to thinking. Okay. One of the major reasons newbie authors want an agent is because the received wisdom is that any unagented submission gets tossed on the slushpile, where it might be read sometime in the next three years, if you're lucky.There are other services they provide - networking, seeing opportunities you might not - but from the point of view of someone outside the publishing industry looking to get in, the gatekeeper effect is pretty important.

But what's stopping J. Random Unagented Author from making up a fake agent? Or from getting a friend to play the role - mostly as a maildrop and a real name - in exchange for taking them out to dinner or something? Wikipedia tells me there's an Association of Author's Representatives, but also tells me that not all legit agents are members of that guild. Research the proper forms of communication and play the role and who will know?

Perhaps this bears investigation. Although I have the impression the comic book publishing world is not as big on Requiring An Agent as one of the initial broad filters as the literary world is.

Feel free to tell me exactly why this is a totally stupid idea in the comments.

Comments

[read-alicia.livejournal.com]

What makes an agent is established connections with the publishing world, and usually experience working with a publisher or agency. Connections are usually passed down from someone in charge; for example, from the President in the case of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.

Basically, the issue is not to say, "I have an agent." The issue is, most publishers are swamped with material they already get from the sources they already have. They don't need any new material. An agent gets you in if they are one of a publisher's sources. A cold call is a cold call, whether or not it's from a writer or agent.

The difference is like between someone who just friended you on LJ coming to you with a project and Nick coming to you with a project.

[krinndnz.livejournal.com]

I did not know that, and it is good for me to know that. Thanks.

[carlhh.livejournal.com]

This is all based on reading various "How to Write" books, not personal experience.

As, above, also agents are generally way more experienced with publishing legalese and can negotiate out un-nice things publishers tend to stick into contracts. Things like retaining your international publishing rights, which can be sold later for additional money. Publishers generally just "sit on it" and don't bother to try selling those on the author's behalf.

[read-alicia.livejournal.com]

You don't need an agent for that. The National Writer's Union, or Author's Guild will do this for you for no charge if you're a member.

Also, membership in these organizations is overkill for a project like Absinthe, which mostly needs interest at this point. If you're at the point where a real publisher is thinking about trying to screw you, you're already in the big leagues.

Well...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

A fake or unknown agent will give you an edge over people who have none at all; this instantly opens markets that just plain won't read unagented submissions. However, other aspects -- such as ability to sell your work, knowing who is buying what, and being able to negotiate a good contract -- are based on the agent's skill. Some publishers further narrow the field by working only with a limited number of agents known to them.

[circuit-four.livejournal.com]

I can sum up the difference real neatly for ya:

"Hi, Mr. Smith. You don't know me, but my name is Nick and my girlfriend is..."

VERSUS

"Hi, John. It's $AGENT. Still up for $SPORTING_EVENT? Hey, I know this girl..."

[waterotter.livejournal.com]

That being said, being an agent is largely about chutzpah. If you can manage, by sheer baldfaced lying, conversation #2 without actually knowing the guy, then you're a de facto literary agent.

[zeeth_kyrah]

Or any other kind of entertainment salesman, really.

[martes.livejournal.com]

I'll echo what most people have already said-- it's not the title 'agent,' but the personal connections the agent (or agency) has among the editors.

Of course, this hits on the great Catch-22 of publishing-- you can't get published without an agent, but an agent won't touch you unless you've been published. Exactly like what I ran into at some animation studios-- you can't get hired without being in the union, but you can't get in the union without being hired at a union shop.

[read-alicia.livejournal.com]

...an agent won't touch you unless you've been published...

If an agent knows you through school or a personal contact, they will be exponentially more likely to read your work. I was at an NWU event a couple years ago, in which authors were talking about their experiences with agents. They mentioned that they either had met their agents in college or through close friends. I stood up and said, "I don't know anyone: what do I do?"

They held a long pause. And then, they spoke, "I don't know."

[mmsword.livejournal.com]

From The Wizard of Speed and Time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Speed_and_Time):
Mike: I'd like to join the union.
Camera Union Clerk: No sir, the studio hires the next man on the roster.
Mike: Well, how do I get on the roster?
Camera Union Clerk: You have to be in the union.
Mike: Well, how do I get *in* the union?
Camera Union Clerk: When you're on the roster.
Mike: You mean I can't join unless I'm already a member?
Camera Union Clerk: That's correct. Then you need thirty consecutive days camera operation, a complete physical exam, the producer sends a letter, and *you* pay your fees.
Mike: Well, fine, I've done ten years of camera work!
Camera Union Clerk: Then you've worked in violation of seniority! You'll have to start allll over, as a film loader.
Mike: Look, I'm just building a small set and filming it!
Camera Union Clerk: That's entirely another union. Set and Modelmakers. Next door!

[wolflahti.livejournal.com]

Two words:

Literary Marketplace (http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp)

[zeeth_kyrah]

I was advised to do this in order to break into copywriting for greeting cards. Play my own agent, on behalf of myself, so they'd give my stuff a look.