I've got a publisher - do I need an agent?

[waterhorse123]

The thing is, my publisher is American. Do I need an English agent to help me or will they just take a percentage of my possible earnings and not be of much help? I kind of thought it was the agent's job to get you a publisher. Or, if I do decide to get an agent, will they be easier to get as I already have a publisher? And as my publisher only does adult books (for grownups I mean, not that they are 'adult' content!) would getting an agent help me to get a publisher for my other books - which are more older children and YA?

I have found it easy to get an agent once I have a deal in hand but tbh you might be better off paying the Society of Authors to look over your contract before you sign. I have done this in the past too and it was reasonable and very useful.

Definitely get the SoA to check the contract, they are really good. As for an agent I think different people have different views. I have an agent and so I would say yes because she is on my side. She negotiates contracts, if I don't like something on a cover I can tell her and she argues on my behalf (I'm really grateful for that!), and if my publisher drops me then she can find me a deal elsewhere. Yes of course she takes a cut of my earnings but for me she is worth every penny!

Have you considered an American agent might be more useful if your primary publisher and market is American? Apologies if I misunderstood. Did you approach the publisher directly or did they approach you?

Good luck?

If your publisher is American then the relevant USA Writer's Guild might be helpful for non-agent advice.