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Are agents still necessary? | TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics

See on Scoop.itWriting and reading fiction

Are agents still necessary in the new e-publishing world? I’m running across a number of people who don’t seem to think so.

 

(Personally, I think there are some specialized situations where I’d still like to have an agent [such as negotiating foreign rights], but there are more situations where an entertainment lawyer would be a better choice for me. Interesting article that encompasses the spectrum of opinion. ~ Chazz)

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Filed under: publishing

One Response

  1. Reena Jacobs says:

    Reading the article, I’m thankful opportunities have opened for authors. I remember querying for an agent a couple of years ago. It didn’t take me long to become bitter… not because I didn’t find an agent (that was more depressing than anything), but because the way many agents treated authors.

    Without authors, agents have no jobs. To me, authors are the backbone of the publishing industry. Yet I saw too many agents treating authors like they were nothing more than mats to wipe their poo off. I’m not saying there weren’t wonderful agents out there. I loved listening to Nathan Bransford, Rachel Gardner, Janet Reid, and others who generously offered advice… even if it included a grain of salt at time (Query Shark – Janet Reid). The agents I listed have helpful criticism. Unfortunately, so many other agents seem to bash authors… bad apples which spoil the bunch.

    It makes it difficult to know which agents to trust. Even with the helpful agents there’s always the thought: will they be working for my best interest? It’s unfortunate, because agents really are meant to be advocates for authors, not publishers.

    I think it was mid-2010 agents were talking about raising the commission rates (taking more $$$ from authors). I couldn’t understand why agents didn’t think to negotiate better contracts so they and the authors would enjoy larger paychecks. I imagine agents would make a lot more if they negotiated 10-15% of a print book at the 15% commission rate rather than 6-12% at a 20-25% commission rate.

    Why take more from those whom have the least? Anyway… I’m just glad authors have more options. They don’t have to beg for a penance. They can take their chances on their own.

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