Location:

Once, this was a mandatory requirement. However, in an age of email, teleconferencing, cellular telephones, and all else, it's importance is diminishing.

When searching for representation, never be afraid to ask this question. If the agency is legitimate, they should provide you with a general description of how they communicate with the publishers (e.g. speak often on telephone, old college associate is editor, worked with publishers before, etc.). If they become angry or hostile, you should reconsider your relationship with them. An honest agent is forthright and will expect questions from authors. You should make a list and never sign anything until you are satisfied with the answers. It is an act of common sense for an author to ask an agent in Kansas how they talk to editors and publishers in New York or Los Angeles. The agent should answer truthfully, without presumption or grudge.

Great Expectations:

You will enter into a relationship with your agent. It will be akin to parenthood, you both appreciate your work, they are as excited to represent your work as you to submit it. Your agent must be excited to "pitch" your book.

When you are signed with an agent, they should keep in touch. You should expect a call or letter from your agent regarding the status of your manuscript around once a month. You should receive the publisher rejection letters. They should look like professionally written responses with accurate names and titles, not a generic form-letter.

You must allow your agent room to represent you. They are running a full-time business and will have other clients. If you don’t hear from them after six weeks, write or call their office. Be brief and appreciative of their time.

Your Working Relationshp

Boldly Questioning:

You shouldn’t be afraid to ask your agent when you have a question. If you aren’t comfortable speaking with them, or corresponding with them, how can you develop a good relationship with them? The professional relation is based upon trust and mutual interest.

There are no "dumb" questions in this area. Your agent will most likely be accustomed to all question on the publishing industry. You are no less professional by requesting information on previous sales or authors they've represented before.

Too Positive/Too Negative:

It is easy to spot a scam agent that is too positive. They make wild and limitless claims with no proof to back them up. They may brag and boast about once landing a now mega-author with a small publisher, which lead to a larger agency with a massive publisher, it doesn’t matter. People can easily spot something that is, "too good to be true."

It is the opposite end of the spectrum which often escapes the keen eyes of a writer. What about if the agent is too negative. There is a big difference between realistic and pessimistic.

If your agent is constantly discouraging about the publishing industry, you should pay close attention to their record. They may be trying to excuse or rationalize a terrible history.

The Workaholic:

This is the agent who is too busy to represent. Usually this issue is completely unforeseen, other times writers question the agent’s intent. The agent may genuinely believe they can represent an overload of manuscripts, or they may informally respond to you with something like, "I’ll get to it soon."

It is good for an agent to be successful, that is how they improve their own publisher standing and their reputation. It is most important to know when to quit. If you suspect your agent falls into this category, perhaps you should re-think your representation.

There is always the possibility it is a short-term problem and will resolve itself within a matter of weeks. However, if the problem isn’t solved after a few months, you may need to seek other representation.

Not every agent who is this busy will have any negative trait with their professional conduct at all. They may not consider how large their work load is prior to accepting you. Unless there are other questionable behaviors exhibited, you should always end a professional relationship as amicably as possible. Don’t get angry because they made a simple error in judgment. Agents are only human and make mistakes and miscalculations like the rest of us.

Send a letter with your problem, keep it concise and objective. Let them know what you feel, as your representative, they are entitled to know your wishes.

©2003-2005, Laura Wright. All rights reserved.