Dear Julie: Agents
By: Julie Cohen
Tags: Publishing, Writing, Writing Advice, Agents, Writing Tips

Dear Julie: Agents

Do I need to have an agent to publish successfully?

Photo by Curtis Potvin on Unsplash

Dear Julie, So few people get taken on by literary agents these days is there any point trying to find one? Michele

Dear Michele,

Every author and every career is so different, it’s hard to say if you, personally, should try to find an agent. You will never sell a book to a mainstream imprint of one of the large mainstream publishing houses without an agent; they just don’t take unsolicited submissions. But not everyone wants to publish with Penguin or Hachette.

Some authors have very successful careers without agents—particularly those who are self-published, or who publish with independent and/or mainly digital publishing houses, or who write for publishers with boilerplate (non-negotiable) contracts. It used to be that writers had slim to no chance of getting a novel published without the help of an agent; that’s not the case any more, as there are many more opportunities for authors who want to go it alone.

But if you ask me—and you have— I think that it’s a really good idea to try to find an agent. I, personally, know that I would not have the career I’ve had without my agent. I would have got published, but there’s more to a writing career than getting published. A writing career is strategic and focused. And that’s where an agent is uniquely placed to help you.

In fact, if I did not have the agent that I’ve got, I might not have a career at all. My agent is fierce and fearless on my behalf. She never pulls punches, and she always goes into battle to get what is best for me. She has literally saved my career, and once or twice she has saved my sanity. A publisher works for themselves; an agent works for you.

A good agent does more than just get you a publishing deal, or negotiate contracts. She’ll discuss your work with you, give you advice, introduce you to the right people, talk you through the steps you need to take to reach your goals.

Here are some of the other things a good agent will do:

—An agent will give you business and market advice.

—An agent will work with you to devise an overall strategy for your career, beyond that first book.

—An agent will serve as your first reader, and often help you edit your work.

—An agent will often get you a better deal with publishers, and will help sell your foreign, film and TV rights.

—An agent will, if necessary, act as the ‘bad guy’ with your publisher so that you can be the happy, sunny, easy-to-work-with author that your editor will love.

—An agent will negotiate contracts, and help you when something goes wrong with your publisher.

—An agent will tell you when you’re doing something stupid.

—An agent will be the biggest cheerleader and advocate for your work.

—An agent may be able to help you self-publish more efficiently.

—Your editor works for a publisher, but your agent works for you. A good agent will always put your best interests first. (And if they don’t—they’re not a good agent.)

A lot of writers think that agents are these scary, unapproachable people. But in fact, nearly all of the agents I have met are very nice. What you have to remember is that agents need writers. They love books, just like we do. Selling good books is how they make their living. And they are always, ALWAYS, looking for a good book.

That good book might be yours.

So…is it worthwhile looking for an agent, even though it might be hard to get one to take you on? I think so. Others might disagree. Maybe right now isn’t the right time for you; maybe this book you’re submitting isn’t yet the right book. Ask yourself: What’s your dream career? What are you working towards? Do you want an agent? Do you believe an agent could help you? And if the answer is yes, then keep on trying, and keep on writing.

Love

Julie x