Agent frustrations

[SmugglersHaunt]

I’m lucky (inverted commas) enough to have an agent, but does anyone else who has one find them so unbelievably frustrating to deal with? Constant chasing of them, no answers to emails etc etc. Having spoken to many, many writers it seems to be a near-universal experience. My last agent didn’t respond to me for over eight months despite chasing - and this is far from uncommon.

I don’t know any other industry where the lack of response etc would be tolerated - or maybe me and other writers I know are very unlucky!

Are you published, or are you in negotiations for something?

That does sound frustrating. I imagine they are extremely busy but 8 months is very slow!

What happens if you phone?

I don't have an agent and I'm increasingly wondering if I want to have one, particularly when I read things like this! OP I think that behaviour is unforgivable. Those of us in the submission process are constantly being told 'how busy' agents are and that they have little time to give to us because they put their all focus on their clients, but reading this, it doesn't sound true.

I am sick of reading about 'how busy' they are. Many people in many different industries have a high work load but they don't treat people the way literary agents seem to. Also, I note that many of them have plenty of time to post rubbish on Twitter, do Agent 121's and appear at live and zoom events where they get paid to talk about query letters etc. They seem to moonlight all over the place.

I recently got awarded a 'free read' via the Arts Council and was shocked when I was allocated an agent to give feedback on my submission package. So basically she was being paid to do her own job, reading my cover letter and opening pages! I think there is so much money to be made these days out of people who are desperate to get an agent / be published, it makes you wonder if many agents put this first as it is so lucrative. I went to a "How to get published" day organised by The Writers and Artists Yearbook and two agents came from London (an 8 hour round trip) just to repeat the usual about how to write a cover letter ("Make sure you get the agent's name right!"). I'm assuming they were paid well for it but both came across as arrogant and utterly bored, they couldn't leave the building quick enough at the end when people tried to talk to them.

Hi - so I’ve had film scripts optioned and have had short stories published before. I was talking to another writer today and she didn’t hear from her agent for over a year! 🤯

You’re completely right - I have no idea what they do all day. It certainly isn’t their job, anyway. All those ‘meet the agent/producer’ / courses etc. I’m very suspicious of - I went to one a few years ago and the agent looked like she’d been taken hostage - having to sit there listening to pitch after pitch all day. Mind you, the way I’m feeling now it serves her right!

What I really don’t understand is that they don’t earn any money unless they sell their clients’ work - yet they seem completely unbothered about attempting to do this. It’s bizarre - anyone else in a commission-based role would try their hardest.

I just think it’s a shame that AI is replacing illustrators and writers when it should replace the talent-free, bottom-feeding literary agency world.

If you're waiting weeks or months for a reply to emails then it doesn't sound like your agent is doing their best for you in which case you need to question their worth. If they've suggested edits on something they are going to sub for you then they may well expect commission on that even if you get a publisher for it yourself.

I have an agent and for me she is worth her weight in gold. She negotiates contracts for me and gets foreign deals and I couldn't do any of that on my own. And she has contacts which I don't. Having said that, there are plenty of publishers who open for non agented submissions from time to time so having an agent isn't compulsory unless you want to be published by one of the big five who don't have open submissions.

I have to say that my agent is brilliant, but I understand your frustration. The problem is that agents will put a LOT of work into those clients whom they know will make them money - so they are busy doing deals and sales for already-successful authors on their books.

Although I'm not sure I would stay with mine if she kept me waiting for eight months... agents aren't quite as necessary in the more modern world of publishing as they used to be, so you could try going without?

My agent is great at responding to emails (always replies same day) BUT they are rubbish at sending out my books. Kinda the point of having an agent, no?

I have to say they are great at reading my drafts thoroughly and offering ideas, too. (Just doesn't seem to like sending said work to publishers!)

She sounds great - you're very lucky! I'm represented for film/TV and books, but I just find the lack of response - or just a 'holding' email (when chased) like 'I love it! I'll get back to you with more feedback' (which never happens). Maybe I'm being unreasonable, but I think they're completely unprofessional and useless and the whole thing is making me miserable!

I can't believe that the whole industry (or the vast majority of it) is predicated on you as a writer having to hook one of these people. It's maddening

Thanks - the eight months one was particularly bad! That was my old agent.

My current one isn't as bad as that, but still very bad at responding imo (I'm willing to be proved wrong/be told I'm being unrealistic). I just don't know any other field of industry where this would be tolerated (I'm starting to sound like a schoolmistress)

Oh that sounds frustrating as well. How do you tackle them not sending stuff out? I just find it bizarre - surely that's their job and the only way they'll ever make any money?! 😣

I'm sadly not one of their top authors/big money
basically they couldn't care less about me!

Reply was meant to say big money-makers

I have a really wonderful agent - she responds within minutes, reads countless drafts, is so kind and supportive. I wouldn't be able to do without her. I didn't realise that this wasn't standard agent behaviour.

I sound smug - sorry. But I think what I wanted to say was that I am so wracked with insecurities, and I hate so much about the publishing world and 'being out there', that if it wasn't for such a kind person, I wouldn't be able to do it.

You don’t sound smug at all! I’m glad you’ve got someone who sounds like they really care about your work. Hopefully I might find the same someday!

I’ve only recently got an agent so it’s too early to comment on how effective they are but they certainly respond to emails very promptly - always the same day. I have terrible Imposter Syndrome though and still worry that no publisher will bite. I was so excited to get an agent but now it feels like one more hurdle! Sending lots of luck and good wishes to everyone navigating getting and dealing with agents!

hello
would would it be possible for you to share details of your agent, sorry if this is not the done thing, I just thought id ask as im looking for one for childrens book. wishing you all lots of success

What you need to do is get hold of a book called The Children's Writers and Artists Yearbook. This will have all the agents' details, plus lots of advice. You can often find older editions at the library.

https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Childrens-Writers--Artists-Yearbook-2025-by-Bloomsbury-Publishing-COR/9781399411820