Do they get me ALL my work? No. And this is a common misperception.
There are still publishers I pitch directly. My agent knows I’m taking the project to that pub, and it’s fine.
if you’re heading to bookstore, YA, etc and might also want to cross over into prose, and you already have a strong track record, it’s probably time to get an agent
All this talk about agents is a way some creators distract themselves from actually making the book
“oh, it’s hopeless, I don’t have an agent—“
BOLLOCKS
Nobody helps you with your books until you don’t really need the help any more
Shut up and make the thing
Then find a way to get it out there
Then make the next thing
And make sure you really love what you’re making because that selfishness is sometimes all that keeps you going
a career in the arts is NOT EASY but it can have moments of wonder and delight