Agents - Yea or Nay?

[harryismyhero]

I've thought for a while now that if you were going to be a writer, you had to have an agent, so s/he could sell your manuscript to bigger publishing companies that your little, unsolicited self couldn't contact otherwise. But I was told today by a writer friend of mine who's gotten a book of his published that, since I'm not an already established writer, I shouldn't look for an agent; they'll just sap my money, and most probably wouldn't be interested in me anyway, since I'm not an established writer and I would pose a financial risk for them.

I know there are a few other published authors on these boards besides Jim. So my question to them (and to other unpublished authors, if they have any tips) is this: should an aspiring but as-of-yet unpublished author get an agent off the bat, or hold off and get one after they are published? What are the pros and cons of both options? Any help would be immensely appreciated. Thanks!

[Mickey Finn]

Bear in mind I am not published as a novelist.
However, all the writers cons I've been to seem to agree on the panels...as soon as someone picks you out of the slush pile and calls you about wanting your book, you ask them if you can get an agent and call them back. They should always say yes.
THEN you call an agent (you should have a few picked out by then by repuation...look for authors similiar to your style and find out their agents) and say "So & so wants my book, and I really like some of the people you represent...and I'd like you to represent me as well."

[Shannon]

I'm a fan of agents.  Jim and I both have great agents who make our lives a lot nicer.  But, a bad agent is much worse than no agent, which means you have to do your research.  An agent should not charge you money - they make money only when you do - so I'm not sure what your friend meant by an agent sapping your money.  At most, it would cost you postage to send a submission, which many agents now accept via email.

[Richelle Mead]

I'm published (or will be, come March), and I'm strongly in favor of agents--especially if you're writing fiction.  Shannon's right that no agent is better than a bad one, but if you do your homework, you can find out who's reputable.  The ones who come to writing conferences are often selected because they're good.  Another great resource is Preditors and Editors: http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Agents can be your advocates and help you revise your writing.  They can also negotiate a higher rate, which often compensates for the commission.  Finally, they can nab you a faster sale than if you submitted cold to an editor.  Both of my series sold in just a few weeks, and I don't think I could have done that alone.

Sheesh.  I sound like a commercial from the Agents Association. 

[Mickey Finn]

Did you have an agent before you made your first sale, or did you make the sale, get the agent, then the agent quickly sold the 2nd series?

If the former, how did you track down a reliable agent who wanted to market an unsold manuscript from a first time writer?

(Where did the pingeonhole you, scifi/fantasy, or romance?)

[Richelle Mead]

I got the agent first.  I'd researched a lot of them based on books and writing conferences & organizations.  I did some querying and a couple pitches.  At a local conference, I pitched to the head of an agency.  It wasn't her genre, but she liked the premise and told me to contact another agent at her company.  I did, she signed me, and then a couple months later she made the sale.  I think a lot of agencies will look at unsold manuscripts from first time writers.  If the query catches their eye, they'll take a look.

Funny things with the genre.  I thought it was urban fantasy, but my contract says paranormal romance.  However since then, my editor now wants to market me back toward urban fantasy and got authors in that genre to review/blurb me.

[Mickey Finn]

Cool. It has the potential for either market, but the feeling that I get is the quirky end of the things, which means it's more likely to be in the urban fantasy section.
But since I don't read romances (as in from the romance section. Many books could be called a romance. Hell, I convinced Hastur that Aliens was a romance.), I could be blowing smoke out of my...um...left pinkie toe.

[blgarver]

Is it necessary to send a full manuscript to a prospective agent, or can it be an exerpt?

[Abstruse]

I'm not published, but I've read about two dozen books on how to get published.  Every single one of them says you should have at least one completed manuscript before doing anything with it.  Otherwise, agents would be signing people left and right who are really good at writing the first three chapters of a book but who can't finish anything (like me).  You might find one that's willing to take a risk, but most agents and publishers want you to have it finished in a form ready to be submitted (IE correct format, already edited for spelling and grammar, etc).  But, as I said, I'm not published yet.  I just read a lot.

I have an additional question.  I've always written stories that are the type of thing I'd like to read if I were the audience.  The reason why I love The Dresden Files so much is that it is more or less exactly what I write (only mine is more action oriented than mystery oriented).  Can anyone suggest agents that work in this sort of genre?  Preferably, is Jim's agent currently looking for new authors...or at least will be in a couple of months? ^_^;;

The Abstruse One
Darryl Mott Jr.

The Abstruse One
Darryl Mott Jr.

[Willowhugger]

I thought I could get by without an agent.  I was reassured that I had an excellent publisher who'd advertise my book well and were a "medium sized publisher."

I sold 66 books.

....

Half by myself.

[Richelle Mead]

I've heard agents say at conferences that you should definitely have a finished manuscript before querying.  You shouldn't send the whole manuscript, though.  Check out exactly what each agent requirements.  Usually their websites will tell you.  Some may only want a letter; some may want 50 pages.  Regardless, the are FLOODED with queries every day, and you don't want to be dismissed because you couldn't follow their guidelines.

Agents who do urban fantasy off the top of my head: Donald Maass Agency (Jim's), Ashley Grayson Agency, Rachel Vater at Lowenstein and Young (think I'm spelling that right--searching for Rachel Vater should pull her), Spectrum Literary Agency, Ethan Ellenberg Agency, Folio Lit Agency, Jabberwocky Agency, and...that's all that's coming.  You can find all of them on Google, but again: read their guidelines and make sure you query the specific agent who handles this genre.

[Willowhugger]

Thanks for the list Richelle.

If the DM agency doesn't accept my book, I'll check them out.

[Drew]

My agent had dumped me.  Then I found a publisher on my own, then she signed me back up.  You get a lot more respect if you have one and I had a hard time finding one.

[Willowhugger]

Anyone got a list of good science fiction agents?

[Richelle Mead]

Most of those agents I listed from a few posts back do sci-fi too.  Most should be on the web somewhere with what kind of stuff they're looking for.  Good luck!