1. Bad location and a refusal to state their associations with editors/publishers.

They refuse to disclose how they can represent you to editors and publishing houses in different states/countries. This is a common sense question and should not be avoided. They should be ready to provide you with information. Many authors are curious in this situation and the agent should provide this as a professional courtesy.

2. Questionable Hostility.

If you have a question on their practices or methods of representation, they quickly become aggravated or defensive. This is a warning sign.

3. Too Positive/ Too Negative.

 Attitudes in the extreme towards the publishing industry.

4. Suggesting Services.

Require or request you to seek the services of a "professional" they know.

5. Passive Representation.

They claim to want to represent you, but do not want you contacting them at all. While you can’t call every week or two, they should correspond once monthly.

6. Up-Front Fees.

 Want money for anything up-front. Excludes an SASE or a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

7. Solicitation.

Agents do not have the time to solicit clients. They will not be "surfing" the Internet in search of new talent. Their desks are filled with tens, or even hundreds, of new authors on a daily basis.

8. On-Line Complaints.

It is important to consider any complaints or charges against the agency. Take these seriously even though a "professional" will probably claim, "I rejected their work and they’ve bad-mouthed me ever since."

Unwarranted complaint against a professional can be grounds for legal action. If an accusation is without grounds the agent in question can sue for defamation. They can't press charges if the claims are valid.

9. Strange or Unusual Behavior:

 This includes:

* Requesting material and rejecting it within a short time. Example: If they request a full manuscript and reject it within a few hours/days when their guidelines clearly state it takes ___ weeks/months to get a response.

* Undue anger if they find you are asking around about them.

* Unreliable. If they habitually "go back on their word," something is wrong. They are either too busy to represent you or not representing your work at all.

* Secretive- Be suspicious if they are guarded about their previous professional experience. Agents are proud of their clients and any progress they make. If they won’t divulge you who they’ve represented, look for another agent.

10. They are professional and considerate, however too busy to keep contact with you.

If you go months without correspondence or contact, it may be time to seek another agent.

By knowing what to look for, you can look forward to a healthy and productive relationship with one.

 

©2003-2006, Laura Wright. All rights reserved.