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Writers have some pretty strange ideas about literary agents. One of them is that it's the agent's job to sell their works.
Well, that would be nice, of course; but it's simply not true. Agents can't sell anything to anybody. All they can do is represent an author's works to an acquisitions' editor. Now, it's true that a growing number of publishers won't look at a writer's work unless it's submitted by an agent, and perhaps that's where writers go astray. If I get an agent, then I'll get my book published, they think. Noooo. It's more like, If I DON'T get an agent, I won't even get a showing! |
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In reality, once an agent arranges with an editor to present a property for consideration, the agent's job is done. Unless, of course, the editor wants to publish the manuscript, in which case the agent's job has only begun. Once an editor commits to publication, it's the agent's job to start the negotiations, the conflict resolutions, money matters, marketing and promotion, auxiliary sales terms--all in an effort to get the best deal possible for the writer.
I wouldn't even bother bringing all this up except for the fact that, in this growing Age of Entitlement, writers are developing a certain type of malignant growth that threatens their livelihoods and very lives. It's called a chip on the shoulder.
When a new writer signs with an agent and the agent fails to find a publisher for the writer's book, it's the agent's fault.
Excuse me, but if the book were good enough to merit getting published, it would get published. Period. Once an agent gets a property through the front door, the rest is up to the property and the caliber of marketable prose (or whatever) that the writer has packed into the thing.
Yet, a growing number of writers want to duck out on their own responsibilities by blaming the guy next door--you know, the one who's JOB was to get their books published.
So think about that the next time you get frustrated with your agent for not selling what you thought to be an imminently saleable book. Think about it, accept the blame for your own shortcomings, and put your editor's cap on because you're going to be burning a lot of midnight oil.
If you're ready to stop blaming your agent and turn your not-quite-good-enough book into a best seller.
Until then...
Smoke if you got 'em.
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