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I just love this. Everybody's sitting at home wondering who won the contest and not commenting on today's blog. Gives me the giggles.

So is it true? Agenting is all about the 2 R's: reputation and Rolodex?

Are there agents who make a living but who editors don't like to work with for a variety of reasons, even though some of their authors are pretty good and successful?

It did get awfully quiet all of the sudden, didn't it?

Reputation and contacts are definitely two very important agent qualities, but I think there's a lot more that goes into it. Career planning, editorial skills (although some agents are more "hands on" than others), negotiation tactics....

It's hard for me to answer your last question. Editors don't usually dump on agents in front of their competition. From my editorial experience, I can tell you that publishing is like any other business. Personalities can sometimes clash. It's largely a subjective thing from one editor to the next. If an agent's not "feeling the love" with one editor, then they'll probably take the hint and establish a relationship with another editor in the same imprint. Bu if the agent has had some really successful projects, then most editors will probably suck it up, put their personal feelings aside and try to maintain a relationship with that agent.

Hope that's helpful.

Regarding the slush pile (unsolicited pile) from a former reader and someone who used to work on the other side of the desk in publishing: fewer houses now hire in the freelance readers anymore. Very often, interested people in the office double as in-house readers, and sign out manuscripts in their "free time" -- which is weekends, vacations, etc.

There's also a high burnout factor in reading. You hope you fall in love with every piece that lands on the desk; it doesn't always happen. And, if you don't find a really good piece after months, it gets discouraging and frustrating, especially when you see the same trends/mistakes over and over.

But one of the things I find encouraging as a writer now is that there are still many people who felt the way I did as a reader, and really WANT to fall in love with what comes in.

I was sent to this blog by a sweet friend (Hey, Erin!**waving**). And I am so grateful. Very interesting, reading help and suggestions made by agents in the know. I think I might be a regular lurker!

"anti-Valentine...Valentine, oh yeah, the contest! Who's the winner! When's the women's fiction one coming up!

Oops, getting a little off track..."

*snort*

I know! even though they said it'll be a few days I kept thinking they might get randy all of a sudden, quit working on probably really important stuff, and post the results!

It always amazing me that writers attempt to go it alone. If you put the time and effort into query letters and finding an agent, your chances of being published and getting PAID for it increase exponentially.

I'm a licensed attorney and extremely experienced in contract drafting and the art of negotiating, but frankly, I don't have the networking contacts or the inside scoop on editors and would never attempt to navigate the murky publishing waters without my agent...

Ghost Writer

The snow had begun softly falling and Hannah stared out her window. Only two more typed pages to go and her editorial would be finished again for this month. She couldn’t have asked for a better job in the world. She had worked four years at “Country Lives” magazine as their antique researcher. The job afforded her the opportunity to travel all over the United States in search of genuine antique items that had been made in this country. She had met so many interesting people and had heard so many stories about the antiques she had researched.

I'm intrigued that you recommend authors submit directly to Harlequin/Silhouette instead of working with an agent. Could you elaborate on the reasons why?

I'm also very interested in your thoughts on category romance in general. This came up in Pitch Critiques Round 23, and I'd love a post on it.

Thanks for a great blog!

mpe

Anon 8:31 -- People go it alone without an agent, because sometimes getting an editor on your own is easier than finding an agent.

Thanks for the comments on selling to Harlequin without an agent and for your reasoning Anon 10:18. Actually I don't believe it's easier to get an editor than an agent, but I will address Harlequin/Silhouette and category in another post.

jhf

All I know is agenting seems like a very tough job. I think it takes a special kind of person. It seems like you have to have a very large network to get it all done.

The "literally" thing drives me crazy. "Apparently" I don't have the same issues with quotation marks. And I didn't even know the lower case "l" was an issue. Now I'm going to be aware of it everywhere.

Could be a generational thing; no grammar faux pas seems to register with and/or annoy my teens.

Changing the meme. Why didn't I think of that? Let me guess...ah, just missed it. But I've already played so I can't be tagged. Hah.

1980?

That's the year I remember Cruisin' (great song).

Nothing like driving along with the windows down and singing along while Smokey croons on the radio. Good guess, Susan.

Mitali,

You think you're the geezer of the kidlitosphere? Think again. I graduated from high school in 1964! That's the year the Beatles came to town.

Okay, Elder Elaine, I seek your wisdom.

Oh, Mitali! You have SO lived up to your reputation - in fact, have outdone your geeky self! These are way cool sites. Thanks for sharing. Long live the Geekhood. (By the way, you have totally left me in the dust.)