tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post5208263766054765538..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Why Do You Need an Agent?Gabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-38945307415188475382014-07-17T03:27:15.784-07:002014-07-17T03:27:15.784-07:00Hmm I sort of agree. You're right in a sense t...Hmm I sort of agree. You're right in a sense that you need to prove yourself, but the way you do that is through your submitted manuscript. I also agree that agents are on the lookout for something they believe they can sell, but I wouldn't say they're always looking for something <i>easy</i> to sell. Not every sell is an easy sell, and agents are well aware of that, but most of them will pick up projects they love as long as they believe they can sell it. <br /><br /><br />You're also right that there are less agents than there are writers, <i>but</i> agents pick up way more than one writer. Most agents that I know of have a client list of around 20-35 or so writers (not counting new agents, who are still building their list, that is). So it's not necessarily a problem that there are more agents than there are writers. :) <br /><br /><br />All that being said, I totally agree that there's nothing wrong either way. Agents are really only necessary if you want to go traditional or hybrid (though I do know of some self-publishers with agents. Totally depends on preference).Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-85725229679744438682014-07-15T21:43:21.272-07:002014-07-15T21:43:21.272-07:00I think its difficult until you prove yourself. Tr...I think its difficult until you prove yourself. Traditional places are always looking for something easy to sell. Agents may seem to pick up people all the time but from their perspective there is a plentiful crop to pick from. However, for writers, there are very few agents. Anyway, it doesn't matter too much. I have my preference but there is nothing wrong with either way.RoweMatthewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-62851310465625324232014-07-13T05:00:38.403-07:002014-07-13T05:00:38.403-07:00Hmm. Well, I don't think getting an agent is a...Hmm. Well, I don't think getting an agent is as rare or impossible as you think it is—I see agents picking up clients every day, as well as new agents joining the field, ready to find new talent. Out of my 5 original CPs, for example, 3 of them are now agented (and 2 of them have book deals), whereas when we first started trading our writing, none of us had agents or deals. So I don't think it's quite as uncommon as you think it is. <br /><br /><br />That being said, it <i>is</i> absolutely difficult. As you are probably well aware, it took me many many years and many many manuscripts, and there were times when it definitely <i>felt</i> impossible. But because self-publishing wasn't what I really wanted to do, the struggle was worth it for me. <br /><br /><br />If you're doing well with self-publishing and want to continue with it, more power to you. I think that's great. :) But I think just because you try to avoid genre trappings isn't a reason to completely discount traditional or hybrid publishing—I love writing crossover fiction, for example, which tends to straddle the lines between different genres or categories, and it's definitely not impossible to work with in a traditional or hybrid sense. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-90649190272341915942014-07-11T18:55:42.196-07:002014-07-11T18:55:42.196-07:00I can see there is benefit, but when landing an ag...I can see there is benefit, but when landing an agent is as near impossible as landing a contract with a traditional publishing company, why out yourself through that? If a thousand people try, maybe only one or two will succeed? Personally I know that no one would take such a big risk on my stories, because I write specifically to avoid genre trappings, so I'd rather carve out a few meager sale a for myself in self publishing. To me, agents are mythical creatures, like a muse or unicorn. I'm glad you found yours though. You are a lucky one!RoweMatthewnoreply@blogger.com