Thread by @BookwormVaught

Thread. On #agents
1. I was following a thread and noticed that many think you can never approach a publisher without an agent, but many indie publishers - even some surprisingly big pubs are indie - will accept unagented authors. Here -@Mslexia & helpful to authors in ALL areas

2. It's possible - I've written & tweeted elsewhere about how dialogue is key - to be agented & still do some solo books & projects. That's what I do, but it's agreed, planned AND we talk over projects & books which are not agented AND all contracts are looked over, agency or not

3. The notion that your agent is only about one book. Hmmm. Ideally, it's long haul, feast or famine, dialogue, and planning. A lot of writers WILL tell you that their agent invested in them long term - time and labour. Writers can do it back: it's a two way street!

4. Writers can and do change agents. For some reason it's not talked about, but it's actually really common. The key is that it is amicable. Sometimes, it does not work out because directions diverge, for example; someone else might then become a much better fit. That's FINE

5. I read constantly how agents are the gatekeepers. CLEARLY, there are issues we need to tackle increasingly boldly in the industry, but my experience has been - I KNOW this irritates people - one of openness to ideas. It's not easy, but I DON'T want people scared off querying.

6. I may be horribly wrong here, but agents don’t simply send everything out to big 5; they are sending to the right editor for the book - and that may be at a small house. It’s a question of working relationships

7. There are - increasingly and a good thing too - writers about who publish on their own in self-publishing, work on some books with agents, and also publish with indie publishers separate from their agent. It all needs to be open and discussed, but it is possible and exciting

8. If you have found an indie publisher, be aware of whether they have a policy of not working with agents OR say openly that they're not keen. What if you, as author, subsequently become agented? Be mindful that this will need careful navigation so you don't miss out on opps

9. What might an agent do for you in addition to sending you book out to editors? FOR STARTERS: Negotiate deals, film, audio, translations; look over contracts, help you with ideas, morale, direction, welfare, guide and shape your books: they may be VERY hands-on editorially

10. I'm hardly THE QUEEN OF BOOKS, but I'm 8 in by autumn of 2023 and have a variety of roles, so if I can help answer any questions related to this thread, fire away and I will pick 'em up this evening. x