Wise Advice
Veteran authors share their experience
with Andrea King Collier, Sam Greengard, Florence Isaacs And Russell Wild

Q: Though my agent did get me a good deal long ago, I haven't been overjoyed with his work for some time. I'm interested in another agent, but he doesn't want to talk seriously with me until I break with my current agent, and there's no guarantee he'll sign me up. It's the old "bird in the hand..." syndrome. I'm in agent limbo and can't decide if I should spring from my current agent and go for it, or not.

Advice?

Minda Zetlin
Ethical agents are supposed to avoid poaching each other's clients, so I understand his reticence. But writers change agents all the time, and there must be some more graceful way to handle it. Insisting you be agentless before he'll even talk puts you in an awkward position and may indicate a lack of concern for your welfare—not what you want in an agent.

But let's go back to the beginning for a moment—your unhappiness with your current representation. I've found that grass always seems to be greener on the other side of the agent: No matter what your agent does for you, you meet writers who got bigger advances, more attention, better services. Keeping that in mind, is it your objective judgment that your present agent is unsatisfactory?

If the answer is yes, then it is time to move on, and you should be talking to other agents—plural. There are thousands and thousands of agents to choose from, so I see no need to limit yourself to a selection of two.

I assume you're working with your current agent on a book-by-book basis. If you've signed an agency contract that commits you for a specific period of time, carefully review that contract before you proceed.

 

Russell Wild
It doesn't sound like you're exactly being wooed by this new agent, so I'd suggest a bit of caution in severing the relationship with your current agent. You say she got you a good deal long ago ... What has happened since? If you're preparing to cut loose anyway, you have little to lose by having a frank discussion with her. Express your concerns. Tell her what your disappointments and expectations are.

Ask if she has the time, energy, desire, and connections to properly shop your next proposal. If you can meet in person, that's better than over the phone. Try to get a good sense of her level of enthusiasm. Perhaps you can breathe new life into your relationship. A "bird in the hand" is not a syndrome. It's an asset.

 

Sam Greengard
There are no guarantees in life. You've clearly stated that you're not pleased with your current agent. So, your choice is straightforward: stick with someone you don't particularly like and accept business as usual or try someone new. Before making a decision, however, it's important to sort out a few things. First, do you have unrealistic expectations? Before blaming your current agent it may be a good idea to have a chat with him or her and find out if there's anything you can do to boost your marketability. Are others with similar books getting better deals (ASJA Paycheck may provide some insights)?

Second, does the "other" agent beckon simply because he or she's new? There's often an inflated sense of attraction with someone unknown because this person hasn't done anything to disappoint us yet. But the "honeymoon" period eventually ends and it's déjà vu all over again. I'd suggest thoroughly checking on the new agent's track record and talking to a client or two.

In the end, you have to go with your gut feeling and move forward. Second guessing and regret are zero sum games. Once you've made your decision, do the best job possible on the book because that's what you can control.

 

Andrea King Collier
I would first look carefully at why you are unhappy with your agent. We need to have realistic expectations of what an agent can and should do. The agent's job is to sell your work. He or she is not your therapist, or your BFF. If you get an agent who is willing to be that first blush editor in order to ensure your work is ready to go out the door for the most money possible, then you are really lucky. You want an agent who is well connected in the marketplace, and one who has his or her finger on the pulse of what's going on. There are lots of reasons that people switch agents. I am now on my third and I feel like the third is the charm. But I will say that agents one and two were and still are fabulous. I left them as my work changed and as my vision changed.

If you are truly unhappy with agent one, I say have a really good idea of who agent two will be before you jump ship. I am assuming that you have a book project about to go into play. If your first agent is lukewarm about the project and doesn't want to represent it, then you are free to get representation for that project. It depends on your agent agreement. I also would say that the market is such that even the A-list agents are finding it difficult to make sales. So think hard, and then go with your gut.

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Andrea King Collier, Sam Greengard, Russell Wild, and Minda Zetlin are long-time ASJA members. Learn more about them in the members' directory at www.asja.org