While authors often obsess about getting any agent to represent them, in reality, writers should be concerned about finding the right agent—the one whose personality, business habits, and expectations are a match to the author’s own.
The author-agent relationship is a partnership. Like any business relationship, its success is heavily dependent on the partners’ ability to work together effectively – and authors can increase their odds of finding an effective partner by researching agents in advance, asking proper questions when an agent shows interest in representation, and being willing to refuse an offer if the agent isn’t a proper match for the author’s needs.
Effective literary agents match the author in three important areas:
-- Personality
-- Business and Professional Style
-- Nature of the Agency Relationship
A significant mismatch in any of these areas will cause tension on both sides, and reduce the effectiveness of the author-agent partnership.
Authors in search of an agent often point out that the agent, not the author, gets to decide whether or not to offer representation, and that the author can only decide among the agents who do make offers. While that’s true, the author chooses which agents to query or pitch, which means the author has the power to decide—up front—which agents (s)he is interested in working with. Authors should take the time to research agents thoroughly in advance, and query only those the author believes would be a proper match.
What should an author look for in an agent? While your specific list may vary, based on your personal and business needs, here’s a brief overview of the relevant categories:
PERSONALITY
Successful business partnerships are based on mutual appreciation, respect, and complementary personalities. While a personality “match” does not require (or always lead to) a friendship outside the business, if you don’t respect your agent as a person, you won’t work well together.
Some authors form personal friendships with their agents, while others remain on professional terms. Query agents whose style (as observed in conference settings, in interviews, and on social media) match your preferences, and don’t waste time on querying agents whose personalities clash with yours—no matter how famous they are or how many authors they represent.
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL HABITS
Writing is a business, and successful business partners need to have similar business habits and attitudes.
I prefer email to the telephone, for business correspondence. My agent does, too, which streamlines our communications and makes us a more effective team. When researching agents, look for information about the way they conduct their business, and query the ones whose business habits seem a good match for your own.
At a minimum, your agent should behave in accordance with industry standards:
NATURE OF THE AGENCY RELATIONSHIP
Even within the industry standards, literary agents conduct their businesses in different ways. Authors should query (and sign with) agents who structure their agency relationships in a manner that meets the author’s needs (and wishes). Here are some questions to ask when evaluating an agency or agent:
Make sure your expectations are reasonable, given industry standards—and then find an agent who matches as many as possible. Remember: the author-agent relationship is a partnership, and functions best when authors and agents have complementary personalities, similar business habits, and compatible goals.
Remember: you can’t control which agents offer representation, but you can and should choose carefully when constructing a query list. The more research and effort you put in up front, the higher the likelihood that you will not only receive an offer of representation, but receive it from your perfect agent match.
What’s most important to you in an agent? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!
About Susan
Susan Spann is a California transactional attorney whose practice focuses on publishing law and business, and is also the author of the Hiro Hattori (Shinobi) mysteries, featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo. Her fourth novel, THE NINJA’S DAUGHTER, released from Seventh Street Books in August 2016. Susan was the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ 2015 Writer of the Year, and when not writing or practicing law, she raises seahorses and rare corals in her marine aquarium. Find her online at http://www.SusanSpann.com, on Twitter (@SusanSpann), and on Facebook (/SusanSpannBooks).
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This is wonderful info, Susan. I was on the phone with an author just the other day, trying to help her with an upcoming phone call with an agent (she signed! YAY!). Luckily, reading this, I didn't steer her wrong.
This is such a chicken/egg thing. When I was trying to get an agent, I had my faves, but if they all turn you down, and someone else offers, it's sure hard to say no.
On the other hand, I've talked to authors who had a 'bad marriage' - and they wasted years of their career.
Sometimes it's down to luck (or Karma, or...) I was SO lucky to get my agent - we're a great fit!
Amen to all this. Sometimes in the beginning after so many rejections, you're so desperate for an agent, any agent, that you're ready to jump at the first invitation. Having had to end a business relationship with my first agent for lots of reasons (but most fell inside those three biggies), I would add that, as hard as it can be after all the waiting, waiting, waiting, authors should move slowly. Know what they need/expect from an agent and clearly convey that. My first agent is still someone I consider a friend and think highly of, so personality was never an issue. We just weren't a good match in other ways. Still, the breaking up part was extremely stressful for me - and I hope to never have to do that again. Sadly, I'm sure the person I was back when I was madly begging for my first agent probably wouldn't listen to this advice, but there it is.
Timely advice, Susan. For the first time, I'm looking for an agent. I'll keep your questions handy.
Wonderful advice and perfect timing! I'm looking for an agent. Happy Holidays!
I'm very fortunate to have signed with my dream agent although it didn't happen overnight. She mentored me for 18 months before I finally got that call saying "I want to offer you representation." During those months of learning and growing as a writer, I received lots of advice from well-meaning friends to start looking elsewhere but I believed in what I was doing and pressed on. I didn't lose faith in her nor she with me.
That's a wonderful agent story, Carrie. Bravo to you!
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