Kathy Temean Regional Advisor
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A
Word About Agents
by David Caruba 2003
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By clicking on Publications, you will find this and other valuable information.
Let me share some thoughts about agents:
A children's book agent is not a guarantee of a sale. Many beginning writers are under the impression if they find an agent their work is as good as sold. This is not, in my opinion, the best reason to approach an agent (approaching an editor as an unpublished writer is usually a better bet).
A good reason to approach an agent, after you have a book or two sold, is to handle your business affairs. This can be wonderful, but not without a price (usually 15% of your dollars).
Writers looking to break into the field really don't need an agent. There are many fine attorneys who specialize in children's book contracts (Mary Flowers is one of the best). They charge a modest flat fee and will provide excellent direction.
Literary agenting is a business that boils down to economics. There's often not a lot of money (from an agent perspective) in picture books. If picture books are your forte, an agent might not take you on based on the economics (at least not until you have a track record and thus demonstrate income to them).
If an agent likes your work, they will expect to represent your children's writing exclusively. Often, this takes the form of a contract that binds you for a period of time, often a year. That means for the most part you sign away your right to sell your work during the time period (and yes, there is room to negotiate this but usually not for a writer first starting out). Again, consider the economics from an agent perspective. If your agent fails to sell your work in a short timeframe, he/she will move on to their next writer. This can often prove frustrating.
Is a good agent a valuable asset to your career? Absolutely, but they arefew and far between. I can't recommend one agent over another. What I can recommend is caution. A bad agent can hurt a career.
SCBWI publishes a Guide for Agents which includes a listing. It's available
for stamps at the following link: http://www.scbwi.org/pubcost.htm
I recommend writers looking to break into the field focus their efforts on meeting editors. Personal contact opens many a door out of the slush pile and into a contract; however, that's not to discourage the agenting route. It's a choice you have to make as a writer. Finally, a good query letter works for both agents and editors.
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