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Why Agents?
Jun. 25th, 2018 09:07 amWhile I search for a job, I have also embarked on a search for a literary agent. I’ve had more than a few conversations online and in person asking why anybody would want or need an agent. Herewith are a few general thoughts on why an agent would be helpful. This is both specific to literary agents and general to most types of agents.
1) Time. Selling a book takes a lot of time. Files need to be sent, responses tracked, and questions answered. Even if you don’t have another full-time job, the time spent selling a book is time not spent writing one. In other fields in which agents are common, such as real estate, this time factor is even more important. How much time do you have to show your house?
2) Expertise. A good agent knows the market. They know what is salable and what is not, and what would be a good price for something. Here in real estate and writing, an agent can also provide an objective set of eyes, pointing out what needs to be fixed or made pretty (staging a home) in order to get the sale.
3) Access. Agents usually have access to markets that non-agents don’t. In writing, many publishers simply won’t talk to authors who don’t have agents.
4) The deal. Once an interested buyer has been found, a contract needs to be agreed to. Good agents know the pitfalls and problems of this phase of the sale and will get you around them.
There are some pitfalls to agents. Finding a good one is hard. One wants to make sure the agent only makes money if you do. Lastly, agents are interested in making the deal. If one’s top priority isn’t selling something, an agent relationship can be problematic. But if you can avoid the pitfalls, finding an agent is well worth the effort.
To shorter myself, writing is an art, publishing is a business.
1) Time. Selling a book takes a lot of time. Files need to be sent, responses tracked, and questions answered. Even if you don’t have another full-time job, the time spent selling a book is time not spent writing one. In other fields in which agents are common, such as real estate, this time factor is even more important. How much time do you have to show your house?
2) Expertise. A good agent knows the market. They know what is salable and what is not, and what would be a good price for something. Here in real estate and writing, an agent can also provide an objective set of eyes, pointing out what needs to be fixed or made pretty (staging a home) in order to get the sale.
3) Access. Agents usually have access to markets that non-agents don’t. In writing, many publishers simply won’t talk to authors who don’t have agents.
4) The deal. Once an interested buyer has been found, a contract needs to be agreed to. Good agents know the pitfalls and problems of this phase of the sale and will get you around them.
There are some pitfalls to agents. Finding a good one is hard. One wants to make sure the agent only makes money if you do. Lastly, agents are interested in making the deal. If one’s top priority isn’t selling something, an agent relationship can be problematic. But if you can avoid the pitfalls, finding an agent is well worth the effort.
To shorter myself, writing is an art, publishing is a business.
