What Are You Looking for in an Agent?
*Shh* Be very, very quiet. We’re hunting agents. (Sorry, with that picture, I couldn’t resist the Bugs Bunny reference. *smile*)
Many—if not most—writers want to find an agent at some point in their writing career. Even in this age of self-publishing, writers still want agents to help them with foreign rights, career advice, access to tricky markets (libraries), etc.
So the question of “what to look for in an agent” hasn’t gone away. However, what we’re looking for might have shifted a bit from a few years ago.
Because we all have different goals and needs, there’s no single end-all-be-all list of “what to look for” in an agent. Sure, we all want an agent who’s a good match for us, but what a “good match” looks like will be different for each of us.
Some of us want an editorial agent, who will help us with our manuscript before submitting to publishers. Some of us want a business-minded agent with strong knowledge of contracts and royalty statements. Some of us want an agent with oodles of contacts among editors and publishers.
There are no right or wrong answers, but we do need to know what we’re looking for before starting our agent search. Authors with years of experience tell us that having a bad agent (or the wrong agent for us) can be worse than no agent at all. So while an agent might be great for our friend and we might be able to get a recommendation (the Holy Grail!), the agent might not be right for us.
The factors we might be looking for in an agent include:
- We’re comfortable with him/her; we can chat and be friends.
- He/she is with a big, powerful agency.
- He/she is with a small, boutique agency (smaller ponds can be nice).
- He/she is a former editor or has a strong editorial background.
- He/she handles foreign and subrights and/or has a rights specialist in house.
- He/she specializes in our genre, with contacts at every publisher.
- He/she has a wide variety of publisher contacts and handles many genres, including all those we’re writing or considering writing.
- He/she has a strong knowledge of contracts and/or has a contract specialist in house.
- He/she has a coach or career mentor attitude.
- His/her communication policies match our expectations (email vs. phone, frequency, timeliness, etc.)
- He/she provides the amount of hand-holding we want.
- He/she has the amount of experience we want (new and enthusiastic vs. experienced and business-minded).
- He/she has experience analyzing royalty statements for errors.
- He/she knows (or has in-house specialists for) other industry-related contacts: publicists, cover artists, authors willing to blurb us, etc.
- He/she is located in New York City.
- He/she is a member of AAR.
- His/her agency has (or doesn’t have) an epublishing or assisted publishing option (some people like this, and some think it’s a conflict of interest).
- His/her plans for our book (editorial changes, which publishers to submit to, etc.) match our goals.
- He/she has an online presence and helps promote his/her authors through social media.
- We trust him/her.
We can analyze that list, prioritize it, decide which things are important, which things are nice to have, and which things are deal-breakers. Knowing what we’re looking for will help us narrow down our choices and will help us recognize when an agent is a bad match.
On the other end, there are things we all should avoid when we choose an agent. Certain behaviors are signs that an agent is a scammer or a disreputable/dishonest person, such as requiring a reading fee, taking an above average percentage, etc. In addition, we need to check that the author-agent agreement doesn’t include nasty clauses like interminable agency, in perpetuity, etc.
Our list of which things are important won’t look like anyone else’s list. Only we can determine the publishing path we want to take and which type of partner will best be able to help us along that path. Whether we’re planning on traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a combination of the two, the right agent can help us no matter what our goals are.
Other helpful posts about agents:
- How to find an agent with sources of agent names and tips for how to narrow down our choices by Carrie Ryan.
- BubbleCow shares this list of steps to go through for researching agents.
- How to tell if an agent is any good by Jane Friedman.
- How to use an offer of representation as leverage to find the agent you really want by Jessica Faust.
- (Edited to add a post I just found) An agent’s take on what makes a good agent by Sara Megibow.
*** Before we finish this post, don’t forget to pass on a kindness to other writers who have helped you. Leave a comment about your Random Act Of Kindness to inspire others and be entered into the Win-Win Giveaway. ***
Can you think of other things to look for in an agent? What are you looking for in an agent? Why are those aspects important to you? What aren’t you looking for in an agent? How do you research which agents would be a good match?
When I finally do go searching for an agent–probably not for another two years or so–my biggest thing will be making sure that there will be no conflict of interest between my self-published titles and my traditionally published titles. As in, I want those self-published titles to be mine, not tied to my agent in any way. Now, if the agent I choose happens to be an editorial agent and helps a great deal in the development of a self-published book, then we’ll discuss some sort of compensation.
The other thing I would look for is enthusiasm, not just for my book, but for my career, for all future books. I want someone who believes, without a doubt, that they’ll be able to sell my book, someone as passionate as I am about the story, and so on so forth. To me, that matters more than experience, number of contracts, what houses they have relations with, etc.
And of course, they have to communicate via email. I’m still surprised that there are still agents who don’t.
Hi Brooke,
Great addition to the list! Yes, with so many writers going for a mixture of traditional publishing and self-publishing, the ability to use or not use agents for our various projects will be more important to a good portion of us.
And there was one of those self-proclaimed “dinosaurs” at the conference I went to a few weeks ago. No website, no email, all hard copy, etc. Her clients love her for her editorial knowledge and publisher contacts. So that approach works for some people, but that would be mutually exclusive to the ability to be a coach or adviser about her clients’ internet presence. If she doesn’t use the internet, she’d have a hard time advising whether her clients should have websites or use (or how to use) social media. Again, that’s not going to be important to some people, as I was constantly shocked by how many writers at the conference weren’t online. 🙂 Thanks for the great comment!
Providing advice on the changes in the publishing world and in the technology (as it applies to writing and publishing) is one of the qualities that’s important to me, so that would be a deal breaker. Things are changing so fast anymore that I want to know my agent is keeping up.
I’m also always shocked by the number of writers I meet at conferences who aren’t online yet (and who begin to panic when the first agent tells them they need to be).
Hi Marcy,
Good point! Yes, if we want our agents to be career advisers–recommending path A over path B–we want them to have a firm understanding of the various options.
I was also shocked by how many writers at the local conference I attended a few weeks ago weren’t online. And we’re not just talking about the fact that they don’t have a blog, or Twitter, or whatever. These writers had never been to any writing, craft, agent, publisher, etc. blogs. They’d never Googled to get any sort of question about writing to even know that answers exist out there. They weren’t tapped into the writing community at all. That’s just mind-blowing for me. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
I spent about 3 months total querying for an agent. I researched and compiled a list nearly 400 strong. I did make a nice little dent in that list, and I did have the intention of pursuing each and every agent on it, if I had to, over the course of a a year or two. But on a whim, while on a querying break (because querying can be demoralizing and exhausting), I decided to query to one small publisher instead. Whodathunkit? I got an offer and I accepted, but that desire for an agent has not gone away. I’m writing my second book for the same publisher, but come my third book, I think I will probably start querying again. Maybe, with pub creds firmly in place, I will have better luck and not give up so easily. Still, the road to publication is different for everyone, and for now, I’m cruisin’ alone and enjoying the ride.
Hi Nancy,
Wow, that’s an even bigger list than mine. 🙂
That’s a good point about smaller publishers. Many (most) small publishers still take direct queries, so we don’t need an agent to submit to them. So authors targeting smaller publishers would have different lists, as an agent’s contacts wouldn’t necessarily be as important. Thanks for the comment!
I have an agent, but I did prefer to have a small agency. I don’t want to be friends with my agent (I don’t feel I’d be great at this and, if anything, it would interfere), but it was very important that I could ask questions and get honest, thoughtful answers without judgment that I even asked. This one wasn’t too hard to figure out, because I asked a lot of questions beforehand! I think finding a person with the right amount of editorial/handholding is important, but I also think that’s hard to figure out before you sign, or at least it was for me. I think I am a person who doesn’t need much of it, but if I do need it, then I really need it! So I did speak to one of her clients and she gave a glowing recommendation that specifically covered her being very available when she needed her (and I didn’t even request that she address that topic specifically, just asked a general question), so I took a chance. Whenever you sign, though, there’s a moment (or two) of terror. We’ve all heard the horror stories (and if you haven’t, then you don’t know enough authors). So you sign and hope for the best… and then get back to writing 🙂
Hi Amber,
Thanks for sharing your reasoning. I think what you said here is important:
I saw one article that said if the agent intimidates us, they’re not the right agent for us. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
The bio for one agent I’ve queried states that she IS the audience. Since I write books that I would want to read, I think I’d feel more comfortable with an agent who reads, for fun, the genre I write in.
Above all, I want a champion. If he or she doesn’t love my book and think it’s going to be a great entry in the genre, they aren’t the agent for me.
I haven’t gotten a response from her yet…fingers crossed 🙂
Hi Amanda,
I think most agents probably represent the genres they’re interested in, but you’re right that they’re possibly more passionate about some than others. 🙂 Good luck–I’ve got my fingers crossed for you–and thanks for the comment!
I know a few agents who read for pleasure outside of the genre they represent. Otherwise they don’t really enjoy reading. They tend to be two critical.
Hi Nathan,
I can understand that. Half the time, I feel like I’m too critical of a reader now as well. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
I’ve had two agents, and one thing is imperative–good communication skills. If your agent doesn’t get back to you in a timely fashion when you’re getting acquainted, don’t doubt that he/she will continue this pattern after you sign the contract. There is nothing more difficult than prolonging YOUR waiting process as an author because of an agent who doesn’t keep in touch.
Also, check your agent’s track record and see if the books the agency is getting published look like something you’d want your book to wind up looking like.
I think to have a champion for your book, Christian authors need to determine if they want an agent in the CBA, working primarily w/CBA publishers, or if they’re looking for someone working w/ABA (general audience) publishers. My book is a crossover book, BUT I wanted a Christian agent who would be on-board w/my worldview and “get” the overall motivations in my writing.
And once you find a good agent, you’ll know it!
Hi Heather,
Thanks for adding to the list! Great points about how we might want our agents to belong to genre-specific organizations, and, as you said, that we’d be happy if our book ended up like their clients. Thanks for the comment!
I’m still not sure which way I’m going to start (indie or traditional), but I am leaning toward trying to find an agent. I want someone that is communicative, enthusiastic, is a fan of the genre and has lots of great contacts. I guess editorial skill is not so much a concern, I’m not hiring them for that, just to manage the business side of things and for foreign sales hopefully. I’m not saying I don’t want their advice, of course I do. I think we all hope for a career partner of sorts.
Hi Todd,
Yes, when I pitched to several agents at the conference a couple weeks ago, they all stated that their biggest strength was their relationships and contacts with others in the industry. I thought it was interesting that they all had the same answer. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
I’m not looking for an agent right now. I’m self-publishing, and I have a few small presses that have expressed interest in any stand-alones I come up with. Still, if I ever do seek an agent, one of my questions will be: Do you have an IP lawyer for checking contracts? I could potentially see an agent convincing me to hire him or her for other reasons, even if the answer’s “No,” but I’ll be a tough sell. As I warn anybody I hire, I’m very nitpicky. (That lets them back out up front. So far, nobody’s taken me up on the offer.) Also, if I hire an agent, it will be as my agent. In other words, I do the hiring, not the agent. The agent can accept or refuse. That’s fine. The agent can give me advice. That’s fine. But I will never be the agent’s employee, and anybody who tries patting me on the head and saying “No, dear, you don’t understand” will get the boot. If I don’t understand something, you tear my logic open and show me the results. You don’t patronize me. I don’t even let my doctors do that. I nag them until they give me specific reasons for their recommendations. I’ve also walked from more than one writing contract (for short stories and magazine articles alike) where the editor treated me like that. Since I’ve read that novel publishers tend to be as bad or worse, I’m a bit leery of seeking… — Read More »
Hi Carradee,
LOL! I understand. I’ve done my research and I’m not completely green. I should hope that people would treat me as being able to comprehend their reasons and explanations for things. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
The sad thing is that you can be completely competent, even express your stance on something with the appropriate jargon…and you’ll still get the head pat. It’s maddening.
At least medical professionals tend to accept that yes, I actually am halfway educated about biology, after I mention that was my major at a local private university that has a good academic reputation.
(That college and major is actually where I discovered I’m allergic to nitrile. You know those non-latex gloves everyone uses these days? Those. I’ve had to argue with nurses to convince them that yes, I do know what an allergy is, and no, I’m not exaggerating about it being an allergy—and yes, despite my allergy to strawberries, my allergy is to nitrile, not latex.)
At least in person, I can forgive folks for assuming I’m 16 if they don’t check my birthdate. Online, all they know is I’m a writer—and therefore they must think that writer = stupid. >_>
Hi Carradee,
Oh yes, that would be maddening. I haven’t run into that yet, but I’m sure I will at some point in my career. 🙂
P.S. There’s one agent whose rep list I actually keep an eye on for things to read. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read that the agent has represented, even when it’s in a genre I don’t usually read. I’ve found some of my favorite authors through her list. 🙂
That’s something to bear in mind about agents: We can use them for book recommendations, too.
Hi Carradee,
Great point! I follow lots of agents on Twitter, and I often pay attention to their book recommendations. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
Awesome post, Jami! As always. *grins*
When I saw your first line, all I could think of was “hunting wabbits.” 🙂
Hi E.B.,
LOL! I’m glad someone gets me. I’m not sure that’s a good thing for you though. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
I like to win but it almost feels wrong to try and win a prize by unselfishly performing a random act of kindness. But I’ll give it a go. We writers are tryers. We work hard to move ahead or advance a career. We take risks and often shoot in the dark. It can get frustrating but don’t forget why you write. What is the real reason?
Here is a quote I just read in a great book called Imagine by Lehrer. He quoted Yo-Yo Ma as saying, “When people ask me how they should approach performance, I always tell them that the professional musician should aspire to the state of the beginner.” The idea is to play with the abandon of a child.
Writer friends, write with the abandon of a child. There is a time to listen to the critiques and to learn from them but there is also a time for forget about what teachers and critiques say and to enjoy the craft. Enjoying your craft will make your product that much more enjoyable to read.
Hi Nathan,
I understand, and I think the low number of comments on that post reflects that you weren’t the only one. 🙂 But I really was trying to set it up to ask people to share their stories of RAOK to encourage even more RAOK. That’s not being selfish. That’s being an example. At least, that’s what I was trying to do. 😉
Thanks for sharing your advice and thanks for the comment!
[…] Jami Gold – What Are You Looking For In An Agent? Good food for thought […]
Hi Jami, Wonderful post. I agree in what your post says about what are you looking for in an agent. I am researching so many agents right now. One agent I wanted to submit to, Meyer’s agent, I submitted to her because she’s a lawyer, and a lawyer would make sure the authors rights are not violated. ONLY until I did more research on said agent and it turns out she’s not passionate about the writers she represents, she only cares about sales because if you look at how much Meyer got for Twilight alone, it gave her a big fat paycheck. If you look at the projects she represented, they are ALL franchises. Then there are some agents who are highly respected in this industry have about 20-30 clients they are already busy with and won’t take on more. Then there are newly turned agents who are actively looking to build their client list. Then there are some agents who keep their client list small because they want their clients to get as much attention as the other authors do. It varies on the author, do they want an agent who is strictly business who only takes on projects that are completely sellable, or an agent who likes to work closely with their clients? Thanks for letting me comment! The others I look for in agents is if they represent things I want to write for; I want to write for kids picture books, middle grade, young adult, then… — Read More »
Hi Vanessa,
I understand. While I was at RWA I spoke with several friends about two agents who work for the same agency. One is very business-like and one is friendlier. Some authors loved their business-like agent because she pushed them and didn’t take any BS. Some authors loved their friendly agent because she helped them through the process, and quite frankly, the business-like agent scared the crap out of them. 🙂
There’s no right or wrong answer because we’re all looking for something different. 🙂 Thanks for the the comment!
Exactly we all want the same thing, to be represented by an agent who will get our work into the right editors hands. And work with us. Finding agents is very hard!
Thanks you for letting me comment!
Hi Vanessa,
No kidding! As if finding an agent–any agent–isn’t hard enough, finding one who’s the right match for us is even harder. *sigh* Thanks for the comment!
While I’m stoked about my debut novel (release date unknown at this time) I don’t have an agent yet, and went with a respectable small press for my first book, but I know I need and want an agent for my long-term career. I do feel unless you’re a highly versatile writer, and can write on spec for WFH or educational markets (Especially if you’re a children’s author like me) having an agent is becoming more necessary in the U.S. as few quality publishers are open to the unagented, no matter if we’re talking query letter only, let alone unsolicited manuscripts, partial or full. Agents are starting to matter more just to get READ, never mind published. My top requirements for an agent are- 1. You GET my genre and respect it’s variety The longer I write, the more I realize that after picture books, animal stories become a licorice taste, you either love it or not, and while it’s important to get feedback on our work from various channels, it’s key your potential agents loves and respects the primiary genres you write in, while still of course challenging you in the ways that matter for your work. That said, I don’t want a “Drill Sargent” agent who’s SO business-minded I feel patronized like some ignorant brat (I had teachers like that in school, don’t need to hear from one on a regular basis) 2. An ally in navigating the business part of publishing Sure, it’s important I know a… — Read More »
Hi Taurean,
Fabulous list! Respectful, open-minded, an ally, business-minded, communicative, and editorial skills–those are great attributes to look for. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!