I had a client recently who saw several of my tweets and got concerned because, from all appearances, I was picking up my writing hat again (I keep using the hat analogy in all my blog posts; I don't even LIKE hats all that much. I'm going to start using shoes. Or scarves...)
Before my discussion with her, I hadn’t realized that agenting and authoring were such exclusive businesses. Mainly, because when I started in this industry as an intern, as I was introduced to the agent staff I was told, “We’re all writers -- or have been.”
There are many agents who are also authors: Mandy Hubbard, (previously) Nathan Bransford, Laura Rennert, to name a few.
I’ll admit that logistically, I’ve always sort of wondered how that works: do they represent themselves? I'm also in COMPLETE awe of their ability to do it all. But I never worried about what AUTHORS thought of such a practice – and I should have, because apparently, they have quite STRONG opinions about it!
Some don’t care; some reason that as long as the agent is doing a good job, it’s a bonus, really, as the agent can then sympathize with deadlines and the woes of the process.
Others feel it’s a conflict of interest; budgeting time between when to write and agent, when to promote self vs. clients, and even when to close to certain types of submissions so as NOT to conflict with what he or she is writing.
My own standpoint on this has always been a little washy. As someone who started off purely on the author side of things (just an interview link that explains what that means), I’ve always dreamed that one day, I COULD find the time to write my own novels and maintain a select, but fantabulous client list. The more I delve into agenting, however, I’m thinking that may just be impossible; it takes an INCREDIBLE amount of time to be an author: aside from just finding time to WRITE, there’s finding time to edit, finding time to promote oneself, finding time to revise, finding time to meet deadlines.
After my conversation with my client, I’m sort of glad I’ve never committed either way. It makes me sad, to think I’ll never write professionally, which is why I can’t quite give up that dream (and part of me is resentful if I HAVE to), but I also completely understand how my clients could be concerned, and I think hey, I’m a professional; as an agent, my duty is to my clients. Period. They didn't sign on for that...why start now?
A fellow agent of mine has had to deal with this question directly because there is an author that shares her name; she’s had people PASS on her as an agent because they think she’s the author, and she’s also had clients tell her upfront that they’re out if she ever writes. That boggled my mind!
So, fellow publishing enthusiasts; what do you think? Is there a consensus to be reached on this…or is it just another gray area that will forever remain an area of debate?
My agent is also an author (and a prolific one too), and I have no problem at all with it. I have a full-time day job myself, and being an author on the side is just reality for me. I'd prefer to write full-time, frankly, but it's not in the cards for me right now, and that's okay. I fulfill all the commitments I have at my day job, and I scramble like hell to find the time, energy and resources to keep plugging away at my writing career too. If I can do it (and I better be able to, considering I just got my first editorial letter), so can she.
ReplyDeleteI think it totally depends on the agent. I'm sure some manage both perfectly, while others probably struggle to find time to do everything - much like most writers do! I guess it's like any relationship: if it works, it works; if it don't it don't.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree, it would be hard to decide whether the relationship is going to work when you're at the signing stage, because you've not seen how this person handles their life yet.
I'd feel a bit hypocritical if I were to start complaining about my agent being a writer. There's this weird mentality out there that agents need to spend every second of their lives agenting, but come on! If you choose to write a novel in your spare time, who am I to judge you? Many of us (probably most) have day jobs. Wouldn't we be a little insulted if someone was judging us for spending our free time writing? Yes, you owe your clients a lot, but you don't owe them your entire life.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, people will always find something to complain about. Maybe that's what pen names are for. Don't give up your dream!
Well, until I read this post I thought why would anyone care. After reading this post, I understand why an author could be concerned about it. But if the agent is doing a good job, I prefer my agent be a writer. Getting through the slush is hard and sometimes it's annoying to think your first pages were deemed unworthy by someone who doesn't even write.
ReplyDeleteI'm with anonymous here. I guess I can see why someone would be upset, but personally I don't care if you write on the side. Now if you left me ; ) after to pursue a career in it, I might have a slight issue. LOL. But if you can do both, do it. I, for one, appreciate that you understand how difficult it is to be patient. (this is purely selfish as I'm sure there are times you'd like to kill me for not being patient. Ha! But, you don't, and I'm sure this is directly related to you being a writer on the side).
ReplyDeleteThe only bad experience I know of, is my friend was agented by someone who was writing on the side and didn't let anyone know. The minute the agent(not Nathan Bransford, BTW) got a pub. deal, she dropped all her clients to write full time. To many of those clients, including my friend, it was as if she became an agent JUSt to get the contacts enough to sell her book, then left. IMO, if that's the truth of the matter, that's wrong. However, I can't presume to know why she started agenting or why she stopped.
Personally I wouldn't care if the agent wrote or not. It's up to them. If they are a great agent then I shouldn't think it would matter that they also wrote.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine I would have a problem with this, unless writing started to seriously take time away from their job as an agent.
ReplyDeleteSome people have amazing time management skills and can do a lot in what would take me twice as long. Just like some authors can write 8k in one day and others struggle with 1k. It all depends on how people can handle the work load. But realistically, if an agent chooses to write off the clock, that's their business. Other people seem to write fine and still maintain day jobs.
Personally, I would think that if the agent can manage their time well enough to pull it off and it doesn't effect their job, then it might work in the client's favour. As long as the agent can keep both sides separate and is open and honest about it from the start then at least the author knows that the agent can sympathise more with them for having gone through the process themselves.
ReplyDeleteI thought all agents started with a background in writing anyway so maybe I'm not the best to comment on this.
I don't think it matters to me whether an agent writes or not. But because of the time thing, I would think that doing both certifies you as a superhero. :) I'm amazed that people can do it!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that someone would pass on an agent because of this. I think it would be great to have an agent who is also an author. It's kind of like having a male gynocologist, they can never really relate to you. But if she's a female, she gets it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought much about this. Honestly, if the agent has ever been any kind of writer, wouldn't that be better? They could have a whole different level of understanding the client's feelings as a writer and seeing each manuscript not only from a professional point of view but also from a writer's.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would hope that if I got an agent and they were serious enough about their writing that it was interfering with agenting, that they'd just say so. There has to be trust on both sides. The agent has to trust that the author is doing all that they can to meet deadlines and such just as much as the author needs to trust that the agent is putting forth the appropriate amount of energy and time for their project, regardless of what else they have going on in their life.
Everyone needs an outlet, agents included. Just a thought. Thanks for the post.
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ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! Great post. As one of your clients, I have to say that for me, knowing what's going on and how an agent plans to balance writing and agenting would be of major importance. I LOVE that you mentioned "I’ve always dreamed that one day, I COULD find the time to write my own novels and maintain a select, but fantabulous client list." I think that would be wonderful, and totally possible, especially if you talked it over with that fantabulous group of clients upfront (and if, of course, I made that list myself!) Conflicts of interest might sometimes arise, but, again, I think that knowing what's happening upfront can go a long way to avoid misunderstandings. Thanks for posting about this. Whether you write for publication or not, I know you will always be a fantastic agent. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would bother me if I had an author for an agent. No one would be really surprised to find a car mechanic fiddling with race engines in his free time, so why should we shy away from an agent who writes?
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't bother me at all... unless we both wrote in the same genre, and there was overlap between our project ideas. That could get sticky. Other than that, I like the thought of an a gent knowing how it feels to write, and revise, and revise again.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't bother me if an agent is both. Actually, I think it's a plus because I think the agent can easily put themselves into the author's shoes and understand where they're coming from. Not that an agent can't if they aren't a writer, but I don't think that you can't do both.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, if the ink is in the blood, don't deny it. Creativity can't be bracketed by profession. Everyone has the right and need to juggle their professional responsibilities with their personal aspirations. As Phantom F. Harlock said, "Dreams do not vanish so long as people do not abandon them."
ReplyDeleteThe idea that this might bother some writers never occurred to me until I saw some of the comments on one agent's (who shall remain nameless though the name is awfully close to Bradford, isn't it? :) posts about his or her (or his) debut novel.
ReplyDeleteWell, the differences are in the approach. You are clearly "out there" as a writer who is also an agent. You've interviewed, blogged, posted, tweeted enough about your own writing experience that any prospective client could and SHOULD (before signing with you) know this about you.
In the unnamed case above, that agent(/writer) was sort of a secret writer. Squirreling away words in the dark hours when not agenting (or blogging). Stringing together sentences like pearls by the abandoned midnight ocean, with only the seagulls (and maybe his wife) for witnesses.
Now let me just say that I completely empathize with this approach. I did not tell anyone what I was up to, either, until the path started becoming clear to me, and I had already begun irrevocably down it. There is such a (valuable) thing as protecting yourself from outside influence while charting unknown waters.
Some writers, from the comments I read, seemed to feel a bit betrayed that that agent did not share the journey; was not open about literary aspirations, etc. I can understand this perspective as well; when agent-shopping, (wait, that makes it sound much easier than it is!) that is a big piece of information that writers offered representation sort of might possibly on a good day be entitled to know, yes? Maybe. I don't know.
But it's different to say, "I'm a fellow writer and an agent and I want to represent you," than it is to say, "I'm an agent and I want to represent you," and then X months or years later, "Booya! I'm a writer, too!"
For reason of those differences, I don't think you or any agent who is publicly also a writer will have any issues. I think any issues stem from the booya.
:)
P. S.: Personally, on a will-I-won't-I query this agent level, I think who cares? It only matters if it might affect an individual writer's decision about which offer to accept. And that only matters if the stars align to deliver that writer more than one offer.
Isn't an agent entitled to free time? Would writers complain that an agent's 2,000 gallon fish-keeping addiction was interfering with submitting their work to editors?
Since you're transparent about your history and your dreams, I don't see how anyone could complain unless you get a bigger deal than you negotiate for them.
And word on the street is that agent/writers need agents, too. Which sort of makes becoming an agent to get published no more strategic than any other day job. :)
It seems to me that it's a natural connection that agents would sometimes be writers too. Why would a writer care? I would think that an author/agent could contribute more than just an agent.
ReplyDeleteStrange.
I don't think one single commentor came down on the side of wanting an agent that DIDN'T write.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the first, just wanted to point that out.lol I think it would almost be odd if an agent didn't want/dream/or actually write in their spare time. Aren't all of them in the business because they love the written word? Just seems a natural thing. But I agree with Haylee, might be difficult if agent/client wrote in the same genre.
But I also believe any situation can be worked out happily with open/honest communication. I think I'm having a Dr. Phil moment.
I think creativity is one of the most overlooked talents a person can possess. People who are artists seem to perceive their environment in the most refreshing respect. I would have no problem with an agent that writes. In fact, I can't imagine anyone having a problem with it.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what an agent does in her free time, as long as she is able to provide me with the kind of representation I need. :) I'm a pretty hands-off, low-key client (as you know from past experience, Natalie!) but I do expect to be treated professionally and I expect that selling my book and doing all associated agent-like work will be a priority for my agent.
ReplyDeleteAs for conflict of interest or competing with me...eh...there are lots of other writers all vying for a few vacancies at big publishers every year. If I can compete with them, I can compete with an agent, too. Writer are all just writers, whatever their day jobs may be! :)
Hate to be the one who plays devil's advocate, but... I think we might be comparing apples to oranges here. Some agents, (like Natalie's example of Laura Rennert) are well established and sell their client's books every day. In which case, I say, write on, Laura! But a fledgling agent, still working a "day job" for an established agent (or even outside the industry) might need to put in the hours reading manuscripts and pitching their own developing client list as their "second job." In a case like this, is writing their own fiction their "third job"? During Nanowrimo, I watched one "agent" (very new to agenting and very inexperienced,) tweet her own Nano word count multiple times per day. I think she had her 50k words within two weeks, and she was proud to tell the whole online writing world! It was at that moment that I realized that I would never sign with her myself, nor would I recommend her to a friend. So I guess it all depends. If Laura Rennert, with her great track record as an agent, wants to write picture books, that's quite a different thing from a fledgling agent trying to split his time between his own writing interests and those of his clients.
ReplyDeleteThis is just my personal thoughts. As for you, Natalie, I'm sure you would discuss this thoroughly with your clients first, and that goes a long way.
Thank you everyone for these enlightening comments; I appreciate all these view points!!
ReplyDeleteIF I'm ever in the situation to need to discuss with my clients, I certainly would...ha, but that's a big IF, as yes, I 100% agree with Anonymous in that writing WOULD be a 3rd job for me, and I'd MUCH rather stay dedicated to building up my clients and agent creds right now than worry about writing!
(keep posting thoughts anyone, btw; just wanted to jump in a moment here!)
I think it's a matter of focus. Multitasking does have its limits. If there were 50 hours in a day, I'd paint, sing, play guitar, write poetry, dance, and yes, write sci-fi novels. Since I'm limited to just about 18 productive hours each day, I have to be a little more selective in what I do.
ReplyDeleteThe same applies to an agent/author. I love the idea of an agent who's been through the publishing process from a writer's point of view, and I feel that my own publishing process could only be enhanced by someone who's been there, facing the same time crunch that I do.
It's time for this princess to go find some mattresses and a pillow or two, so I can multitask again tomorrow!
I'm guessing they're nervous because they think you'll jump ship to full-time author? But aren't most authors doing this part-time while we have full-time jobs to pay the bills? Why couldn't an agent do that as well? I believe writing isn't really what we do but who we are. It's something deep within us. Even at times in my life when I wasn't 100% focused on writing, I still felt better when I could write something (even if it was a blog). I say be honest about the fact that you're an author and you'll weed out the potential clients who wouldn't be supportive of that, which is what you'd want to do anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love agents who are also writers. I think it gives them more insight. They know what it's like on both sides of the desk.
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of agent profiles I see comment that they are editorial and like to revise with their clients before sending manuscripts out on submission. I can't imagine a better training for that than writing and revising one's own fiction. So I'd say having an agent who writes could bring a strong advantage to the relationship.
ReplyDeleteI would not have an agent that was an "active" writer especially if I'm concerned that I might be "dropped." Also, I have seen some agents, although I won't name them, that are agents/authors, spending a lot of time promoting themselves and their work. Tweeting over 20 times a day about your book and blogging about it constantly make them look as if they don't care about their clients or their jobs. It's just a plain turn-off.
ReplyDeleteBeing both agent as well as a writer is a plus i feel as it keeps you comfortable in both the shoes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think writers are any more (or less) likely to be dropped by an agent who is a writer than by any other agent. Life happens. Manuscripts don't always sell. Agents leave the biz for a variety of reasons. Though hopefully when you get an agent it's because he or she believes in you and wants to represent you for the long haul.
ReplyDeleteI agree with anon that over-self-promotion can be a turn-off. I see it with some non-writing agents, as well. They toot their own horns about their sales successes and don't give proper due to the writers' hard work as part of the equation.
Yet it doesn't matter in the long run (even if you query someone before realizing their online attitude is not your cup of hot chocolate) unless that agent happens to be one who wants to represent you.
Then you could at least check in with the other agents who have your material and see if you can find a better match before deciding.
:)
I know I'm late getting around to this post, but I had to weigh in. It boggles my mind that some authors would care; I would never have considered it an issue. If I were fortunate enough to get an agent, I'd think it would be a plus if he or she was a writer. To me, it would mean they identified more closely with my struggles. (I also wouldn't want to feel I'd caused my agent to feel frustrated or resentful.)
ReplyDeleteOf course, there might be issues of poor priorities or overlapping genres. Those are individual issues, though; I don't think they go part and parcel with being both an agent and a writer. You're probably wise to stick with only one job for now. Only you know how much you can ethically juggle. I do hope you get a chance to let out some of that creativity someday, though!
I forget who mentioned this up there, but if the agent/author gets a bigger deal than her (or his) clients, is that considered flat-out unethical, or just bad form? Or neither, and it's "just the way things worked out, you get what you get?"
ReplyDeleteAlso, agents don't tend to rep themselves, correct? I remember Nathan Bransford blogged once about how he had to query too, and got rejected a few times before signing. Could he have sold his own book if he'd wanted to, or is that just absolutely not done?
I was sad when N-Brans left the business; he was so on my "to query" list, and now everyone who votes in that publishing hotties contest is down a candidate. Guess we'll all have to vote for Luke Janklow again.
I wouldn't have a problem with an agent who is also an author. I think you have a right to do what you want in your free time. And have a right to free time.
ReplyDeleteI'm an attorney as well as aspiring author. I work hard at my job and am committed to my clients. But in my "free time" I love to write and hope I'll be able to juggle both. Don't give up on your dreams.