How did agents get so much power?
In all honesty, the same question could (and perhaps should) be asked about people like Dick Cheney, but this is about publishing and agents; not dirty politicians.
Once upon a time, agents were little more than glorified secretaries to writers. The writers did the work to get published, then they engaged agents to handle the pesky details so the writer could, well, write. Somehow, somewhere agents managed to turn the tables, and they began calling the shots.
I find it fascinating to read that writers like Stephen King were able to get several books published before realizing that an agent might be of use to them. Today, however, publishing houses collude with agents to block writers from direct access, thus reinforcing the power of agents.
Don't misunderstand, agents can be quite useful. They often have access to legal information that writers would waste ridiculous amounts of time finding. I have also (from the side of acquisitions) seen stupid agents tank deals that authors desperately wanted to happen.
I appreciate the work of sites like Preditors & Editors, in their sort-of ranking of some agents, unfortunately it's not enough information. I appreciate that some agents give a "what I'm looking for" or "what I'm interested in" list, but again unfortunately it's not enough information.
Miss Snark is a helpful soul, acid keyboard and all, but even she demands that writers "know" prospective agents before pitching them on a book. But here's the conundrum MS, how in hell do we writers get to know you agent types when your "what I want" lists are vague at best, and there are no authors brave enough to talk frankly about specific agents when flattery is not in order?
Calling BB a scam agent is one thing . . . knowing MS well enough to know that I have the "right" book for her (or any agent) is wholly another . . .
Miss Snark
Once upon a time, agents were little more than glorified secretaries to writers. The writers did the work to get published, then they engaged agents to handle the pesky details so the writer could, well, write. Somehow, somewhere agents managed to turn the tables, and they began calling the shots.
I find it fascinating to read that writers like Stephen King were able to get several books published before realizing that an agent might be of use to them. Today, however, publishing houses collude with agents to block writers from direct access, thus reinforcing the power of agents.
Don't misunderstand, agents can be quite useful. They often have access to legal information that writers would waste ridiculous amounts of time finding. I have also (from the side of acquisitions) seen stupid agents tank deals that authors desperately wanted to happen.
I appreciate the work of sites like Preditors & Editors, in their sort-of ranking of some agents, unfortunately it's not enough information. I appreciate that some agents give a "what I'm looking for" or "what I'm interested in" list, but again unfortunately it's not enough information.
Miss Snark is a helpful soul, acid keyboard and all, but even she demands that writers "know" prospective agents before pitching them on a book. But here's the conundrum MS, how in hell do we writers get to know you agent types when your "what I want" lists are vague at best, and there are no authors brave enough to talk frankly about specific agents when flattery is not in order?
Calling BB a scam agent is one thing . . . knowing MS well enough to know that I have the "right" book for her (or any agent) is wholly another . . .
Miss Snark
posted by The Rejected Writer | 6/05/2006
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