So the letters and samples have all gone out to about 15 agents and the waiting begins.
One thing is already clear to me going down this path. This is not about you as a writer and your all round wonderful potential. It is only about the book you send. Because that is what the agent will have to send to publishers. Saying 'They're a lovely person and will do well down the line' doesn't mean anything. It's all about the book. The most useful rejection will always be the one that tells you why the book itself wasn't sellable. It's not about you!
However, the way an agent handles the submissions/auditioning process is a window to both the way they will treat their clients and the way the industry is likely to view them - and ultimately you need an agent that people in the industry like. Having worked as an actor, and now working as a producer and looking for writing representation I have experienced this from both sides... Don't be afraid to form your own opinion - even when it feels impossible that an agent will ever take you on.
Few things to bear in mind...
Trust me.. if the agent is unreasonable, abrasive, rude, people will (and we have) stopped using their clients - life is too short to have agents being rude or aggressive down the phone.
An agent who doesn't understand the commercial models of the producer/publisher - and therefore WHY certain offers are being made in the way they are - won't last long either. It becomes pointless trying to do reasoned negotiation. Agents who understand the commercial models are in a much better position to prevent being ripped off and losing out.
(We once had Equity sit down with us and try and negotiate a huge TV deal... based on things they had read in 'The Sun.' That's why we don't use Equity contracts. Before you snort and write us off as a dodgy company, we once did a live show without Equity contracts and Equity phoned us telling us they would blacklist the company unless we paid Equity minimum. We gently pointed out that would mean halfing the pay of most of the cast.)
One agent doesn't even give a name to send submissions to - just 'Submissions' - sorry - but to me that is an agency a little too full of their own importance, and too assured in their own arrogance that they are effectively saying 'send your stuff, no-one in particular will look at it because we're just so busy....' Make a name up! At least pretend that you are dealing with human beings here! If you deal with potential clients like that - how do you treat the people you are supposedly seeking work from? Bad sign if you ask me.
Don't play power games. I have heard of agents firing back e-mails saying 'What's the best book title you can think of' and basing a decision on the answer. Tell agents like that to grow up! This isn't about them getting people dancing to their tune - and it isn't a creative writing course for teenagers. It is a commercial agreement. That exercise was simply the agent proving (either to the client or themselves - who knows) that they are the most important person in the equation, they are the ones who get to pass judgement. If that happens to you, and you have the courage to - tell them to bugger off!
That's all the negative stuff i guess!
There are some gems. People with ideas, energy, passion for the business. People who give some supporting answers for why a project doesn't fit, the good points and bad. People who just take a little time.
I have had some lovely rejection letters! From people who have clearly read the work, formed an opinion and taken the time to put one or two things on paper - it doesn't make the rejection easier to get initially, but it does help when you take the time to take on board what is said. I have had phone calls from people offering advice, people thanking me for thinking of them and generally treating the process as a collaboration, a shared experience. Even when that collaboration isn't going any further they have been able to recognise the time and effort that goes in to finishing a book and getting it out there.
These people are probably worth persevering with (not pestering!) and when you have a book which might suit better I would resend. They are usually, also, the people that are well thought of throughout any industry.
It isn't just a question of getting a 'yes' - it has much longer term ramifications - trust your instinct. I was told by one large agency they couldn't place my work and had indeed sent it out to sixteen people - a smaller energetic agency took it on and had it placed within two months...
