Recently I read an online article from Writer’s Digest addressing whether writers need literary agents to be successful. What was most striking about it was the initial caveat from the author, who sought to make clear how they “love” literary agents and think they’re essential and important—just not necessarily for all writing projects.
Hence, the answer to the headlined question for this article was, “It depends.” My personal answer, as I have come to realize, is a bit different, my caveat not so very glowing with praise.
Unlike the author of that article, I don’t love, or hate, literary agents. I basically have no relationship with them at all. But today that is due to my choice, when it was previously due to theirs.
After reading what I already knew, specifically the reality that no powerhouse publisher will touch you without an agent, as well as something I didn’t realize, that some mid-sized publishers and smaller presses don’t require you to be represented by an agent, my feelings on the subject could be described as intense uneasiness.
What I have is more like lingering distrust. So much so it causes me angst to write this. But I’m sharing it for those who might have had similar experiences with literary agents, or as a cautionary tale.
A little more than twenty years ago, I was drawn in by a total fraud, a man living in San Diego and posing as a literary agent. This guy claimed to be interested in my manuscript, and said he would represent me. With one caveat. I had to use an editor. This didn’t seem so bad, except he named an editing outfit in NYC and stipulated that it had to be them. I wanted so badly to have my memoir published that I agreed. When I called this “editing agency,” it was like dealing with car salesmen. Worse, actually.
Two thousand dollars later, I received comments on my manuscript from someone who could very well have been a teenager. It certainly was not a comprehensive, coherent line-editing job. But I persevered and contacted the “literary agent,” saying my manuscript was now edited, so let the representation begin.
He first pretended he didn’t know me when I called. Actually, his kid answered the phone, because the number was for his house. There was no literary agency. After I pushed back, he spent a few months pretending to try to sell my book, which he knew absolutely nothing about. He finally admitted he’d not read one word of it. I think he eventually ended up on law enforcement’s radar. And I ended up on the phone with a prosecuting attorney in New York investigating that so-called editing agency.
Here’s the thing. Yes, I should have been more discerning. But I thought I was being careful. I obtained this crook’s name from Writer’s Market, supposedly a reputable reference book that I purchased and relied on. And the fact is, this publication, if it hasn’t done so already (I wouldn’t know as I will never again use it as a resource), needs to do better at not taking just anyone’s money to bogusly list them as a literary agent.
Unfortunately, this was not my only unprofessional run-in with a so-called literary agent. The next time it was actually someone recently hired at a well-known and established NYC agency. And I got his name from the annual Writer’s Digest roundup of agents actively seeking queries that year.
Three years ago, I was diligently searching for an agent for my first novel of what has become my Other Worldly series. I painstakingly researched the right fit for representation, spending months querying agents, personalizing and tailoring each letter to selected agents per their specifications and interest areas.
When I received a positive response from this aforementioned agent included in WD’s annual list, his email was quite personable, making my hopes soar. He asked to see the entire manuscript. I eagerly and immediately supplied it.
Four months later, not a word. It was as if I’d been ghosted. I summoned the nerve to email him, saying I was checking back in. He’d never read my manuscript. Apparently, he never even looked at it. His email said he was just too busy and I should try some other agents, maybe the ones representing famous authors we’d said we liked in our previous email banter. Sure, I’d get right on that.
The whole experience left me feeling like I’d interacted with someone hiding a substance abuse problem, or a pathological liar. Regardless, he did not leave the impression he was professional, as an agent or any other role he’d held in the publishing world. A third of a year had been wasted by his utter disregard for the supposed parameters of his job. To wit, if you ask for an entire manuscript, you’re supposed to actually get back to the author in some capacity.
Some might say, at least he initially responded to my query. True, because most literary agents don’t. Supposedly they’re so incredibly busy because they receive thousands of queries in a month. I’m sure it gets tedious to be inundated with poorly written query letters from someone who hasn’t done their research, either on how to write, how to query, or how to choose a potential literary agent. But perhaps literary agents shouldn’t take that out on the rest of us.
I did my research. I even went to writer’s conferences and met briefly with several agents. It was distinctly uncomfortable. I realize now the reason was my less-than-stellar experiences.
Yes, I know a few bad apples don’t represent the entire bunch. But perhaps the industry could do better at not giving a spotlight to those who are less than professional. And just maybe the exercise of querying agents shouldn’t feel so much like you’re shouting into a tin can, with no one responsible on the other end of the string.
A writer’s time is important too. I’m not getting any younger, and I write very quickly. Therefore, I don’t choose to wait 18 months for a traditional publisher to produce one of my books after spending a tediously indeterminate amount of time attempting to obtain a literary agent, who might be half my age with even less life and/or professional experience, not to mention devoid of manners, just to get my pinky toe in the publishing door.
I do take the time to use a professional editor, someone who respects me and my work and actually answers emails. I’m happy to independently publish, so that I have control over my words, and my image. How I define success these days is not the same as what I once thought it would be, because for starters, it no longer includes acquiring a literary agent.
If an agent can’t respond or correspond in a timely, mature, professional and, most importantly, respectful manner, why should I trust them to sell my work?
I have only looked into the idea of an agent, when I was writing, I knew I wanted to be an independent author almost from first. I had talked to writers who had done the traditional publishing route and the ones that had gone independent and ones that were hybrid. (there are a lot of them out there). So, I never had any experience with agents, and really am kind of glad when I have heard so much about what it is like to get and keep one.
Not to mention the monetary expense. I suppose it could be a rewarding experience for those who find the right someone for them and their books.