| You may well think that the choice of approaching an | | | | they too carry their downsides. |
| agent or publisher is academic before you have even | | | | Your editor may well have very definite ideas of what |
| finished your book but nothing is further from the truth. | | | | he or she will or won't accept from you as a book. If |
| This short article discusses the pros and cons of | | | | you want to change tack in your writing, a publisher's |
| agents and publishers - and which one you should go | | | | editor is probably not altogether the best person to |
| for. | | | | explain this to - the editor wants a certain type and |
| A decision that many writers put off for as long as | | | | style of work from you as this is what they 'signed-up' |
| possible seems to be the one where they decide if | | | | to. Any deviation from this type may well result in, at |
| they want to get an agent or go directly to a publisher. | | | | the least, a straining of the relationship between you! |
| One school of thought says that having an agent is | | | | Also, a publisher may want a far more restrictive |
| definitely preferable, the other says - why pay an | | | | contract with you than you would like - and you may |
| agent commission when you can do it yourself. Let's | | | | well not be offered such options as foreign rights, |
| look a bit closer at these two points of view - | | | | large-print rights and that holy grail for all writers - film |
| Agents: The advantages to having an agent are best | | | | rights. |
| described as ones that remove certain amounts of | | | | On balance, I would always advise new writers to try |
| stress from the writer, allowing him or her to get on | | | | their hardest to gain the services of a good agent. I |
| with what they do best - writing. A good agent will | | | | know this is difficult and writers can often get into the |
| negotiate a better deal with a publisher than you | | | | Catch-22 situation of being unable to get a publisher |
| probably could, will have their ear to the ground to | | | | interested without agent representation, yet unable to |
| know what's hot and what's not - and hopefully tell you | | | | get an agent interested until they have some work in |
| where your book lies in that regard. | | | | print. |
| A disadvantage to having an agent is, simply, cost. An | | | | One way around this is to approach publishers directly |
| agent will either charge fees or commission on sales, | | | | - then when (and if) you receive an offer of publication |
| the rate varying from agent to agent. This works well | | | | you can wave the letter under an agent's nose. The |
| for you if you haven't made any big sales but can cost | | | | chances are much greater at this point that any agent |
| you a shedload of money if you hit the big time. For | | | | will be interested, of course! You may well then ask - |
| example, it's been reported that Little's, who handle the | | | | 'Why bother with the agent when I have the offer?' |
| Harry Potter books for Rowling, cream off millions per | | | | Several reasons. The first - and most important - is |
| year in commissions. Mind you, I imagine Rowling isn't | | | | that I can predict that, in 99% of cases the agent will |
| too worried! This is of course an extreme example but | | | | secure a better deal for you than you could for |
| it is worth keeping in mind. | | | | yourself. Won't the publisher be upset? Not usually - it's |
| Also, you may have to sign-up for a set period with an | | | | just business as usual for them and this sort of thing |
| agent, or guarantee them the sole agency rights to a | | | | happens all the time. A tip - if the publisher really does |
| certain number of books before they will agree to | | | | kick off in this situation be wary. It may well be that |
| represent you. This isn't greed, it's just business - they | | | | they were trying to short-change you on the deal and |
| will be investing time and effort in you and will require a | | | | are now worried that an agent will spot this and take |
| certain return from you in the form of this type of | | | | the business elsewhere. Be warned! |
| commitment. Again, it's something well worth keeping in | | | | On balance, then - go down the agency route. Let |
| mind. | | | | them have the headaches about gaining a publisher for |
| Publishers: The advantages of dealing directly with a | | | | you, negotiating terms and all the other details that go |
| publisher seem obvious: fast track to the correct editor, | | | | with getting a book from acceptance to publication. |
| no agents commissions to pay and less red tape all | | | | And you? Just get on with your next book! |
| round. All these points are valid but, as is usual in life, | | | | |