gratefulMy agent is not a magical unicorn, but there are aspects of the "I want an agent" dream list that actually work in the real world. I mean, it's an agent's job to understand the business side of the publishing world, partially So You Don't Have To, and partially because Holy Crap, That's Complicated. Also, getting good enough to get an agent is a sign that you've worked pretty hard, and you're pretty dedicated to this "writing" concept. It's possible for really good writers to make it without an agent. It's actually harder for really bad writers to get an agent in the first place. (To all those agents I applied to when I was a teenager: I'm sorry you had to read that. Thank you for being so nice about it.)
Almost three years ago now, a friend of mine decided to introduce me a friend of hers, one who happened to be a working literary agent, looking for clients. The Agent and I exchanged some emails, going slow, navigating the wilds of acquaintance and understanding long before we reached the point where representation would become an option. It was a courtship, rather than a barroom hookup, and I am incredibly grateful for that, because anybody who's met me knows that my full attention can be an exhausting thing. She gets my full attention a lot.
Two years ago today, she asked if I wanted her to represent me. I said "are you crazy?"
The past two years have been amazing. They have been filled with firsts, seconds, wonderful, confusing, incredible things, and The Agent has been there every step along the way to explain, encourage, and assist. I call her my personal superhero for a reason—that's exactly what she is. Books on writing will tell you that the best thing a working writer can have is a good agent, and they're right, but what they won't tell you is that it's even better to have a good agent who understand you, understands the way you work, and is willing to see what you can do together.
So here's a happy, happy anniversary to my personal superhero, to the woman who helps me understand the business side of my chosen career, and to the only person ever to respond to my description of The Worst Book I've Ever Read by asking me to send it to them. Happy anniversary. Let's have ten more of these.
March 22 2010, 07:22:18 UTC 7 years ago
That's a bit unfair. I mean, these days, having an agent is also the only way you get read at a bunch of major publishers, by stated policy of those publishers, so the aspiring author is right: if you even want to get your manuscript read widely, you do have to get an agent.
March 22 2010, 15:18:07 UTC 7 years ago
I argue, loudly and often, for the absolute necessity of agents—both because many publishers require them, and because they handle business so you won't have to. But saying that we sometimes romanticize them a bit more than they can possibly live up to isn't unfair, it's accurate.
March 22 2010, 16:38:52 UTC 7 years ago
...wait, you? Really? Ha! Okay. that's not what I would've expected. Carry on then. ^_^
March 22 2010, 22:02:48 UTC 7 years ago
Happy Anniversary to the Agent and Author!
March 23 2010, 16:30:26 UTC 7 years ago