Writing

Tansy_Gold

(18,167 posts)

7. Keep in mind, whether you're still looking for an agent or you already have one,

Sat Mar 10, 2012, 07:15 PM

Mar 2012

that your agent does NOT work for you. She/he works for her/himself.

1. Do not expect your agent to take your side against the publisher/editor in a dispute. While your agent MAY take your side, she/he also wants/hopes to sell other works for other clients to that publisher/editor and is not going to cut off a potential market.

2. Do not assume the contract your agent negotiates for you is the best possible deal. See #1.

3. Do not assume your agent knows all the legal ins and outs of the contract. Even if your agent is an IP lawyer or has one on staff or at her/his beck and call. . . see #1.

4. Do not assume having an agent absolves you of any/all responsibility for your career. There are such things as unethical agents and incompetent ones. See #1.

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Looking for advice regarding literary agents [View all] Tobin S. Dec 2011 OP

If you haven't discovered "The Writers Market", get it. HopeHoops Dec 2011 #1

Thank you. I look for it. n/t Tobin S. Dec 2011 #3

Do NOT walk through any agent's door DavidDvorkin Dec 2011 #2

I appreciate the info and the links. Tobin S. Dec 2011 #4

hard to sell Andrew_Writer Feb 2012 #5

Watch out for "agents" who want to charge you money. McCamy Taylor Feb 2012 #6

Keep in mind, whether you're still looking for an agent or you already have one, Tansy_Gold Mar 2012 #7