Sound Off! Writer Wonders ‘Do Agents Respect Writers?’
Throwing Darts in the Dark
On the road to traditional publishing, it is virtually compulsory that writers query agents in an attempt to obtain representation. At this point, the writer begins a metaphoric game of darts – played in the dark. The lights are turned off and the dart board begins to move around the room in a random, haphazard fashion.
Agents are insulted if a query is addressed, “Dear Agent,” and insist that a query be addressed to a specific agent. However, if the agent bothers to respond to the writer with a rejection, it is often addressed, “Dear writer” or “Dear author.”
Many agents state that, if the writer does not hear from the agent within a specified time period, the writer should assume rejection, citing the high volume of queries as reasons that they are too busy to return the writer’s respect. Further, agents expect a writer to submit a query, after dozens of hours spent polishing it, and if they respond to the writer at all, do so with an email comprised of perhaps ten words, tersely phrased. The message is simple and clear: Dear writer; I demand respect and my time is dear; however, you should not expect respect from me because your time is not as valuable as mine.
While reviewing 130 agency websites this past week, I discovered an agency who advises writers that they are too busy to respond to the writer unless they are interested; however, they ask that the writer advise them if another agency is interested in the work – the apex of agency arrogance. I am sure that there are more agencies with the same attitude.
If an agent’s requirements for submission of a query are amenable to the writer and respectful to both parties, that doesn’t mean that the dart board stops moving and the lights come on. If an agent is having a bad day, the chances of viewing a well-phrased, deserving query in a positive light can be dim, depending on the professionalism of the agent.
Many are fond of pointing out to novice writers that publishing is a business and should be treated as such. Others argue that the process is simply one that all writers must endure in order to earn their chops. Is writing a business or is it a sport … for example, darts?
For those relatively few writers who have courted and won an agent, I submit that the query was enticing, the work well written, respect flowed bilaterally, and the agent saw a market for the piece. However, much more than a well-fletched, trimmed, and sharpened dart was involved. I further submit that the agent was contacted on a good day and the winds were steady and at the agent’s back. In short, the writer threw a bull’s-eye in the dark.
Although there is a relatively small contingent of agents who respect deserving writers – and online comments confirm their efforts – the majority appear unable to return the respect and professionalism that is so important to the agent. It should come as no surprise that talented writers, many who have gone through hell to finally – and sometimes only through luck – have their work validated by friends, family, independent editors, and online contacts and critiquers, turn to self-publishing.
William Gibbons
You’ve taken the words right out of my … heart! Everything–I mean everything is right on! I would venture to go one step further–how difficult would it be for the form letter rejections to offer feedback with a simple check mark beside: 1. Your query was not properly formatted. 2. The subject/story does not work for me/our agency. 3. Your subject/story is not compelling. 4. Your writing sucks!
Some of us send out query after query, perhaps with the same mistakes, the same problems. Isn’t this a waste of time for everyone? Any bit of constructive feedback could send us all back to the drawing board. And that would be good!
Jeanie, thank you for your observations and for your affirmation of mine. It would be nice to have the feedback from agents as you suggest since they are the de facto experts in query effectiveness. However, as I’m sure they would be quick to point out, it is not in their job description. Therefore, I think most writers would settle – at least now – for mutual respect and common courtesy.
That said, writers should acknowledge those agents who not only return respect to striving writers but a few who indeed provide feedback. Granted, the current business model for agents, as well as publishers and writers, is in flux, but it would be nice to see their examples as common practice and not as the exception. Thank you.
Bill
I’m logging in here to say ‘thanks’ for the comments. Received a few that were questionable in taste. We’re not interested in name calling. Contribute to this discussion using the tools that bring you to this site, your writing ability. I realize this is a touchy subject among writers, just as it is among agents. I thought the blogger did a nice job outlining his position… and he used his skills in writing to do so. Thanks again, Bill, for taking time to blog here.
Marla
This is so true and every agent should read this. It IS a matter of professional ethics. Out of many agents I’ve queried, very few were nice enough to reply, even give a brief comment or two. Many never responded at all. One requested a partial, then NEVER responded – even after a follow-up email. (So was I supposed to give up several months waiting for her precious response?)
Another agency promised right in the submissions link that every writer would receive a response. Really? I sent a query to one, then after 5 months of silence,tried another agent in the company since they did represent my genre. That one never responded either. So much for respectful “promises.”
I ended up going with a smaller traditional publisher and ultimately saved a lot of time and aggravation.
Deanna, thanks for reporting your experience. It mirrors those reported by writers on Querytracker and other sites. Waiting for a response with bated (no, not baited) breath, unsure of what to do next, is the origin of the “throwing darts in the dark” metaphor. Best of luck with your choice.
May the metaphors be with you.
Bill
When I read that an agency receives over a thousand queries a month, I do feel a bit sorry about adding my query to the queue. But then I remember something I once overheard from an administrator when I was in college: “This would be a great school if it weren’t for the students.”
You make some interesting points, and very valid ones, but it remains important that we as writers do not assume an antagonistic approach to agents. I saw this when I went to a writers’ conference last year. There was some real animosity in the room. This bitterness will bleed over into our correspondence with them.
I am in the process of looking for an agent and I understand it is important that writer and agent match. There are some writers who don’t do their homework and query agents who are entirely inappropriate for their work, or the quality of the writer’s work is just not there. Witness the many self-published books out there that reflect a lack of any editing, or just good writing (which is also present in some traditionally published books).
On the other hand, I am sure that most agents who have been in the business for some time can recall the manuscript they passed over on a bad day, only to see it top the N.Y. Times bestseller list a year or two later. I’m sure that only has to happen to an agent once before they are looking at every query and manuscript much more closely.
This business is hard enough without treating other members harshly, even if they have treated you harshly.
Tim
Excellent comment, thank you. I posted this because I thought the blogger’s tone was appropriate. Without asking him, I assume he’s been pitching for a while. The animosity has deep roots. There was a time-and not so long ago-when agents really were the rock stars of our industry. Some were humble, some, not so much. I remember my first time just approaching an agent at a conference-early 1990’s-here I was a mother of 3 who had worked with ‘rock star’ physicians so I was used to being ‘deferential’ but approaching agents was another trip entirely. Many really enjoyed our collective nervousness in their presence-I have many snapshots of this stored in my mind. I have agent friends and really appreciate the knowledge of books some of them possess but some of them are pretty difficult. We’ve been learning a lot lately about the ‘arrogance in the world at large’ and I’m afraid in their heyday, many agents were far more arrogant than their ‘titles’ entitled them to be.
Thanks for taking time to add to this discussions-your points are well taken.
Marla
Tim,
I understand your points; however, my observations are not based on my own empirical experience with agents, but rather on the very policies and statements on the agencies’ websites. It is the agencies’ policies in which I see a double standard, i.e. one-way, unreciprocated respect. In truth, I have little experience querying agents compared to other writers, but the information regarding an individual agent’s track record – as well as their level of respect – is well documented on Querytracker.com, among many other sites.
I agree that this is a tough business, but I submit that observations of agencies’ stated policies is not harsh treatment. I would further state that allowing unanswered harsh treatment allows it to continue if left unchallenged.