Not all writers want or need an agent. I am not one of those writers. I want someone on my side who knows the business of publishing, who has experience and contacts, of which I have none. I want someone who knows what they're doing (yep, you've guessed - I do not).
I'm currently submitting my third book to agents. I've done my research, found the agents that are interested in my genre and represent similar writers and have compiled a list, which I'm working my way through.
Do you want or need an agent? Do you have an agent? Or are you going it alone?A is also for Arlee Bird, who started the A-Z Challenge. This is my first year taking part but I would like to say a huge thank you for all the hard work that has been put in.
This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. Click here to see all the other participants
I too have the agent debate, but need to produce something in full first instead of bitting and bobbing and messing about! Good luck!! x
ReplyDeleteI've been there myself - usually when I've got too many ideas running around my head!
DeleteIdeally I'd like to have an agent, as I'd like the support of someone who knows what they're doing with regards to the publishing world, but I seem to be doing alright on my own (for now!)
ReplyDeleteI need a bit of hand holding so well done for going it alone and best of luck :-)
DeleteI definitely would like an agent although I don't think they're essential. I'm planning to go the indie route, agentless, for now. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood luck. The indie route is a much more viable option these days.
DeleteWhat genre do you write in?
ReplyDeleteI agree that it depends what you want out of writing. It's always a good idea to 1. finish something :) 2. and find which stories/audience you are passionate about writing for. Sometimes it takes a few books to get that straight!
I just signed with an agent last month, so it's very new to me. I'm ready for the adventure!
I hope you find some other great writing and book blogs along the way with this challenge. Here is my "A" post for the A to Z challenge: A Girl and her Diary
Congratulations on signing with an agent! You must be thrilled.
DeleteI write chick lit :-)
I'm on the fence on the agent thing. Many of my writing friends have done well enough without one, but it is nice to have someone in the know on your side. What I have ready for submissions right now would work well enough directly with an editor of a smaller house. Good luck with your agent search.
ReplyDeleteThere have been some great success stories of authors going it alone.
DeleteGood luck with whichever route you decide on :-)
I haven't gotten that far yet, not even close! I will use an agent however when I am one day ready. I just finished a book I read, and one of the characters had written her heart out with one writing.... after many, many disappointments and also always used a sister in law to critique her writings, and the sister in law being a college professor with different writings of importance always gave her the thumbs down....her mother, which she had a cool relationship with had given her all the hope in the world with her writing of this last book and encouraged her to go to her agent. She was very shy, afraid of rejection, etc....also old agent sold his business to another agent. Well.....the new agent was simply overwhelmed with what she wrote, couldn't say enough about it, and got her an advance in the amount of 500,000.00, and found another avenue for the book in the way of a movie. So....I guess you never know what is possible! So one day I myself would use an agent. It was interesting to me that the story written by an author included this character, and it actually gave me hope!! www.sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love it when I find a nugget of inspiration.
DeleteGood luck with your writing x
Hi, I am a new follower from the A to Z challenge. Good post on agents. I am in the process of submitting my manuscript to three agents who requested it and I am super excited. I definitely want an agent, but understand that some people do not need one. I need what an agent can offer. I am glad I found your blog and I wish you luck with your queries.
ReplyDeleteBest best of luck with your submissions x
DeleteI do have an agent, for which I'm grateful. When you think about international rights, movie deals, etc., I think an agent is a requirement. This doesn't mean you need to start out with an agent, though. These days it's possible to self-publish or publish with a small press THEN acquire an agent. The rules are changing.
ReplyDeleteExcellent "A"! Awesome start, and a round of applause for Arlee!
~VR Barkowski
The rules are definitely changing, with authors having more options.
DeleteIf I ever decide to pursue publication seriously (currently I'm just writing for fun) then I would want an agent for the reasons you stated--they have more contacts, knowledge, experience, etc. Great post!
ReplyDeleteStopping by as an A to Z Challenge minion.
The Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective
Enjoy your writing just for you but if you do decide to submit your work, best of luck with that too :-)
DeleteI'd like to find an agent for my shorter historicals, but I've decided to do some kind of indie or e-publishing for my sagas. I'd still love to have my sagas traditionally published, but I haven't heard all that many modern agents saying nice things about superlong historicals, or even long books in general. I'm coming from a place where it's normal and expected for a proper historical to be at least 500 pages, not a place where you should fit your entire story into all of 300 pages to stand a chance.
ReplyDeleteThat's the good thing about indie publishing - you can follow your own rules.
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