Christine Kohler

Oct 16, 2017 5:16 AM EDT

Oh, Christine. We are SO in the same boat. I have pitched and pitched until my shoulder is as sore as major league pitcher throwing a shut out. Unlike you, I have never gotten close to "getting hitched" to an agent. I have been recommended to friends' agents, I've had agents ask for my work. The response has been "you're not commercial enough" and ....nothing. One was a big name from a big agency who urged me to Fed Ex my novel "overnight" costing me big bucks. Nothing. Not even an email saying she received it. I have sold 11 books on my own, some to houses that are "closed". (This is the point where I say that belonging to SCBWI can be helpful in getting read in closed places...but no guarantee.) I am the one who constantly says that getting an agent is like getting married...you don't hook up with the first person who asks. Your post has made me see that yes, getting an agent IS like getting married...and in today's world, where the term "starter marriage" implies that "till death do us part" has an escape clause..."married" doesn't mean any more than what BOTH parties invest. Yes, it's a business decision, but agents, as you have said, seem to invest the least amount of work possible for the greatest possible gain (for them). If you aren't a white-phenom before your agent signs you, your agent is most likely not going to make you one. Me...at this point, all I want is someone who can negotiate contracts so that I am not getting screwed. Gee...do you think you hit a nerve?

- Mary Ann Rodman

Oct 16, 2017 6:28 AM EDT

Thanks for being candid, Mary Ann. Btw, I'm a YANKEE GIRL fangirl! Yes, needing agents to open doors and negotiate are at the top of my list these days.

- Christine Kohler

Oct 17, 2017 7:36 PM EDT

I presented to a group of writers today about the good, the bad, and the ugly in publishing, and agents came up as a popular question. Like you, I have published without one, but I believe my book would be further along with an agent having my back.

- Laura Moe

Oct 17, 2017 8:05 PM EDT

I wish I could have come to your talk today, Laura. It's nice to have a discussion with writers in such an intimate, private setting.

Your comment made me think about what the take-away could be from my article--and your and Mary Ann's astute comments. Especially if we were having this conversation with pre-published writers. I guess it would be to look for an agent, but don't give up if it doesn't happen. A lot of writers publish with traditional publishers without agents. The three of us are examples. You can still have a writing career without an agent.

For me, the goal has always been to take a step up. To step up my craft. To step up my abilities and discipline. To step up the quality of my writing and stories. And, to step up the ladder of publishers. I'm a big believer, though, that in goal-setting, I can only be responsible for what is within my power. I can set goals to write, to study, to query, to submit. But I have no power over being selected, either me or my work. I guess that would be the take-away.

- Christine Kohler