Empowering Authors to Speak Out Against the “Bad Agents”
- By: Jessica Faust | Date: Aug 21 2018
I wrote What Authors Need to do to Stop Bad Agents knowing I was going to get backlash. I was fully aware that there were going to be authors who weren’t going to be happy with what I had to say. I’m also very aware of the fears authors have of speaking out. I stand by what I say though, things will only change if authors are giving as much information about agents as possible as they are querying and if authors become advocates for themselves and others. I know how absolutely terrifying that is and I’ve tried my best to address some of the comments I received on that post as well as on Twitter, but I also want to be sure that more people than just those who were brave enough** to challenge me to see my further thoughts.
I stand by my belief that authors need to share their stories with others (however they feel comfortable doing so) to protect the community at large. However, I do also think that agencies have a responsibility to set a value structure and policies about acceptable behavior. One of BookEnds’ chief values is, “Communication is essential to good relationships, whether dealing with clients, editors, publishers, queries, submissions, or each other.” Should I learn that any of my agents are not following this, or any of the other of the ten values that are a part of BookEnds culture you can be sure a conversation will ensue. Of course, I think we’ve all learned that not all agencies operate in this way, which is exactly why authors need to be a line of defense for each other.
One of the greatest myths of publishing has always been the idea that authors are less than agents and if they aren’t obsequious they will never get ahead. It’s a myth I have spent a career trying to dispel and the entire reason this blog was originally started as well as why I Tweet and created our YouTube channel.
Despite what you hear, it is incredibly (repeat “incredibly” five times) difficult for an author to get blacklisted in this business. Sharing a story of failed communication with an agent, an agent who is not sending royalty statements or money, or an agent who has disappeared is not going to put you on any sort of blacklist with other agents. It’s unfortunate and unfair and most agents will feel empathy for your situation. The best agents might even advise you on what’s next. Those aren’t the stories of authors “complaining” or “whining.”
At our very core, agents are author advocates. Everything we do on a daily basis from submissions to contract negotiations to discussions with editors is all about advocating for authors. For most of us, this doesn’t stop with just our clients. Seeing authors advocate for themselves is not going to get anyone blacklisted.
All of that being said, I truly understand the fear that stops authors from speaking out publicly and I don’t blame you or fault you for it. I will continue to do my best to empower all authors to know that we are equals in this crazy business because without all of you, without your queries, your submissions, your faith in me as an agent, I wouldn’t be here at all.
And if you still fear the legendary publishing blacklist. Watch here for more:
**I truly hope that in all my writings I have made authors comfortable enough to challenge me and that I have (as one writer suggested) made this a safe space, but in knowing how fear-driven querying often is I also know this isn’t always the case.
I don’t doubt there’s not a blacklist but all it takes to scuttle an emerging writer’s chances with an agent or editor is someone saying “don’t work with that person.” It’s like that in any industry but finding an agent or editor interested in you after years of writing and querying makes us extremely cautious. Believe me we do share stories. And now we’re doing it more publicly. I’ve even recommended certain agents to successful authors looking for new ones just based on how they handled my query. That said it’s good to see certain agents stepping up including yourself.
I appreciate posts (and blogs) like this immensely. When I was writing and querying, I did so in a vacuum … no critique partners, no writer friends, and a single beta reader on an early draft. So I relied heavily on Google. Fortunately, my querying experience was overwhelmingly positive, but sometimes I felt I didn’t have as much information as more experienced writers.
“One of BookEnds’ chief values is, “Communication is essential to good relationships, whether dealing with clients, editors, publishers, queries, submissions, or each other.” Should I learn that any of my agents are not following this, or any of the other of the ten values that are a part of BookEnds culture you can be sure a conversation will ensue.”
Though reluctant to speak out publicly, your above comment inspired me to break my vow of silence. I presume BookEnds began using Query Manager as a management tool. If this is correct, you might want to check the response times for queries, submissions and followups sent to your agents to see if these admirable standards are being met. I refuse to throw stones or troll anyone at Bookends. But having been a manager myself in private industry for many years, a review of your agent’s statistics on Query Manger might prove illuminating. Respectfully submitted.
Thank you for your comment. I am aware of response times, unfortunately, as per our FAQ, while we strive to respond to all queries in 8 weeks there are times and circumstances in which we fall behind. A response will come. Also be aware, that clearing QM from your spam filters helps guarantee a response. At times we’ve heard from authors who never received the response that was sent. That happened a lot when we were using email as well. If you are feeling impatient to receive word you are welcome, through QM, to withdraw your submission and query another agent at BookEnds.
Oh gosh, just stepping into this industry myself, and I’m already feeling so nervous… I hardly even know where to start! I like finding this blog though, thank you so much for putting this out there. It’s definitely comforting to keep in mind going forward.
I’m curious about why more agents don’t use QM. Is it expensive? It seems like the larger agencies could afford it, thus sparing their agents (especially the female ones) the negative comments that can ensue upon a rejection, which seems to be demoralizing and angering many of them, rightly so. I keep wondering why they don’t get QM, which you can’t respond to.
I think most agents don’t want to change. Note though, the demoralizing and angering comments still happen.
Oh they DO? Yikes. I’d assumed if people couldn’t respond via QM it wouldn’t happen. How naive of me 🙁