Of course, having an agent might provide you the intangible benefits of added prestige, save you the hassles of making submissions and negotiating deals, or act as a buffer through whom you can negotiate indirectly for tactical reasons.
You might also consider representing yourself if your books are so specialized that only a few publishers are potential candidates for them. Your contacts at such houses might be much stronger than any agent’s could be.
The pluses and minuses of having an agent should be calculated like any other business service you might retain—it should benefit you more than it costs you. Generally speaking, the only real cost of using an agent is the commission. Of course, using the wrong agent may end up causing you more deficits than benefits, but even then you may at least learn a valuable lesson for next time.
Your challenge is to seek and retain an agent who’s right for you. You’re 100 percent responsible for getting yourself represented and at least 50 percent responsible for making the relationship work for both of you.
The pluses and minuses of having an agent should be calculated like any other business service you might retain—it should benefit you more than it costs you. Generally speaking, the only real cost of using an agent is the commission. Of course, using the wrong agent may end up causing you more deficits than benefits, but even then you may at least learn a valuable lesson for next time.
Your challenge is to seek and retain an agent who’s right for you. You’re 100 percent responsible for getting yourself represented and at least 50 percent responsible for making the relationship work for both of you.
Click the link to Purchase a copy of Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents
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