Customer Reviews

Literary Agents: A Writer's Introduction

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I seized upon John Baker's book LITERARY AGENTS in what I thought was quarter to midnight in my writing life.

H.Y., the agent I had signed with from a Washington D.C. based literary agency with what I had been told was a solid reputation, had failed to sell my first novel, LIKE DISTANT CITIES BURNING-- and had, in fact, lied to me and to a television audience on Book TV about his experience in selling fiction.

He had, as it turned out, none. And with the disgrace of that disclosure looming, H. apparently decided to dodge the bullet in a time-honored way: he pocketed his Palm Pilot and fled-- without, unfortunately, notifying his clients.

After two months of unanswered e-mails and unreturned phone calls (no word, either from H. or from the lawyer-cum-agent whose name was on the firm's shingle) it fell to a receptionist to finally confirm my dark suspicions: H. had taken to the hills, had abruptly withdrawn from literary representation altogether, opting instead to cash in on the then-hot dot-com frenzy.

I no longer was represented. I had been cast adrift, with my second book (FINAL EPIDEMIC) ready to go to market, but with no agent to rep it.

John Baker's book was my first frantic lifeline. Here, instead of the cookbook listing of so many "guides" to literary agents, was a writer who actually did the legwork and INTERVIEWED the agents of which he wrote. For me, as for most writers, it was a welcome relief to finally see these shadowy demi-gods profiled as flesh-and-blood, living beings whose own likes and dislikes, personality and personal baggage, life triumphs and failures was finally set down in black-and-white for the discerning reader.

The book is a fascinating read as well as an informative and useful guide-- and for any writer who seeks an insight to those who in today's publishing world serve as the de facto gatekeepers, it is well worth the purchase price. One only wishes that Baker would not stop at this initial volume, but would turn this into a ongoing, updated series-- whether as a "hard-copy" book or as an on-line service.

While I ultimately signed with an agent who was (a) successful in placing both my novels with a major publisher, and (b) not in Baker's initial (and as of this writing, only) edition of LITERARY AGENTS, I did establish a dialogue with several of those he profiled therein; it was a result of Baker's careful attention to detail that made these individual agents both approachable and recognizable as human beings.

You may not find an agent by reading this book; indeed, with most reputable agents reporting that they decline upward of 98 percent of the author inquiries they receive, the odds are against it.

But in LITERARY AGENTS, you will gain an insight into those agents whom Baker profiles --an insight that may serve you well in your understanding of what makes them tick.

--Earl Merkel

...

Literary Agents A Writers Introduction by John Baker is a must read for anyone who is serious about writing, or for anyone considering taking the step into serious writing. This book consists of interviews with forty-four of the biggest name agents in publishing, I should know I've had rejections from a lot of them, but now I know why. Each interview is an easy 3-4 pages long but packed with information Of interest is the near universal opinion of the state of the publishing industry and the changing role of the agent, and the agent's reaction to this changing role and how it affects how they interact with authors and potential authors. You can also witness how close this community is, as people appear and reappear from interview to interview. The one drawback is that more agents weren't subjected to the interview, but then of course it would be a voluminous volume. Another item that would be of interest to a reader is number of people who claim to have discovered Stephen King and John Grisham.

I'm in the academic world, and though I've had three books published, my career - like most of my peers - has not depended on a literary agent for success. Why? Because most of our books are published either by a university press that we query and submit our manuscript to or by publishers who approach us and ask us to write on a topic for them. However, for those writers shopping around a commercially viable manuscript - an agent can mean the difference of not getting published at all or getting that long-dreamed-of blockbuster deal.

Trouble is, getting an agent is tricky business. If you're well-known, your name is a capital city in France and ends in Hilton, or a doctor awarded the latest Nobel Prize for having done the first brain transplant, or a former President of the United States, then you're likely to get your telephone calls returned. Otherwise, you better buy this book and see how the game is played.

Written and compiled by John F. Baker, a publishing pro at Publisher's Weekly, who has more than 30 years of experience, the book has an excellent introduction covering: the role of the agent; what agents get paid; why [he interviewed] the agents in this book; and, how to approach an agent. Then, the reader is served 48 summaries, each 3-6 pages long, profiling and describing the conversations Baker conducted with agents across a wide range of interests, personalities and book product lines.

A fascinating look inside world of literary agents and publishing. Highly recommended for purchase by college, university and public libraries and anyone interested in becoming the next Stephen King, John Grisham, or Danielle Steele.

Hmmm, I wonder if there's something wrong with my cell phone?

R. Neil Scott
Middle Tennessee State University

Almost anyone can hang out a shingle with the title "literary agent." How can the writer tell the legitimate agents from the vultures who prey on new writers? Often publishers are overwhelmed with submissions and with the ever-changing market and movement of editors from one house to another, agents play an increasing role in the marketplace.

As Baker writes, "Agents, unlike authors or even editors and publishers, are seldom interviewed, and much of the material in this book is therefore unique. It is hoped that it will give its readers a much better idea than they have ever had before of how these most important players in the book world think and operate--and in the process, a better sense of who might or might not be receptive to their work."

Agents are on the inside track for understanding which editor or publisher takes what type of book. Also they increasingly work with writers to develop ideas and proposals, then use those proposals as sales tools with the editor. While a writer's allegiance to a particular publisher or editor has often vanished, the chemistry between a writer and his literary agent often outlasts any change.

This book covers about 70 agents and it's only a sampling from this industry insider and regular contributor to Publisher's Weekly.

Each chapter profiles different agents and their specialty such as fiction or genre fiction or nonfiction or spiritual material. Also Baker asks each of them about their perspective on book publishing which provides some interesting insight. The end of each chapter includes the agent's contact information. According to Baker, a well-written letter or proposal remains the best way to catch the agent's attention. I recommend this book for writers who want to learn more about the book marketplace and agents in particular. Some of the advice may help you in an ever-changing market.

Try this one first if you are just starting to look for a literary agent. Not as daunting as Jeff Herman's book [nor as filled with as much good information] but impressive.

Almost anyone can hang out a shingle with the title, "literary agent." How can you tell the legitimate agents from the vultures? Often publishers are overwhelmed with submissions and with the ever-changing market and movement of editors, agents play a more significant role in the marketplace. As Baker writes, "Agents, unlike authors or even editors and publishers, are seldom interviewed, and much of the material in this book is therefore unique. It is hoped that it will give its readers a much better idea than they have ever had before of how these most important players in the book world think and operate-and in the process, a better sense of who might or not be receptive to their work." While a writer's allegiance to a particular publisher or editor has often vanished, the chemistry between a writer and his literary agent often outlasts any change. This book covers about 70 agents from this industry insider, who is the editorial director at Publisher's Weekly. Also Baker asks each of them about their perspective on book publishing which provides some interesting insight. The end of each chapter includes the agent's contact information. According to Baker, a well-written letter or proposal remains the best way to catch an agent's attention. I recommend this book for writers who want to learn about the book marketplace and agents in particular. Some of the advice will help you in an ever-changing market.

This book may have lots of good information, but according to Salon.com, it is "riddled with errors," including some incorrect background information, addresses, and client lists. Double-check before sending off that query letter.

Not all books about literary agents are equal. This book is one of them and was a very disappointing resource. Up front you are told that "in depth" interviews are featured with the people who make it happen. I failed to find any in depth interviews but instead brief surveys of how each agent got started, their client list, their complaints and concerns regarding the publishing industry and the editors. All the above is great for nice chitter chatter but for those who have written a work and are looking for an agent another source would be more appropriate.

The best part of the book is the introduction which gives an author a good overview of the functions and services that an agent provides. Several parts of the introduction would have served as separate chapters of their ownand then the interviews of the agents could have followed.

I would caution new writers in purchasing this book if they want to know about agents and their role in electronic publishing. Not much if anything is said on the topic. Another danger is timeliness. By the time this book was published the addresses and phone numbers changed for the agents listed. I would highly recommend another book which would give you a more in depth look at literary agents. Even as an introductory level reference work this book doesn't do it. Purchase it if you like to know the stories and backgrounds of agents that have made it big over two or three decades but for current up to date information try another book.

This book might help some writers, but I'm not one of them. If you are writing for children, it doesn't list many potential agents for you. The most helpful hints I found were in the introduction, not really from reading what each agent had to say. Plus, the book is more outdated than I realized (1997-98 interviews). I got more info out of just googling some agents and tips. It was cheaper, too!

Find out what literary agents are looking for. Get to know a little bit about specific literary agents.