It’s easy money after all. The deal is done. All the hard work accomplished. The author is just looking for an agent to close the deal points for her romance novel and give her the best contract boilerplate possible.
Why would any agent turn that down?
Well, let me tell you because this week I did just that. An author rang me up who had a solid offer from a wonderful romance house already on the table. Crazy to pass that up!
For me, this job isn’t about the easy money. My job is about being passionate about the work of the authors I do decide take on. I want those authors for their whole career—not just for one book because there is already an offer.
I have to believe that I’ll be passionate about all the future books. Now, there is no guarantee that’s going to happen or even that the author will stay for the long-term (as authors do often switch agents), but I have to believe in that possibility in order to say YES.
And that is why I passed. When the author contacted me, I requested the manuscript in question so as to give it a read. In this instance, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It obviously was somebody else’s—in fact I already knew that a NYC editor was interested and that another agent had already offered representation.
So the problem was obviously just me—and let’s take a moment to appreciate that we all have different tastes, different likes and dislikes, because that’s what keeps this genre interesting and fun to read.
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Good for you for doing what was right for everyone concerned.
Hope you were able to refer her to someone who might love it.
I agree, good for you!
Kristin, I woudn’t categorize this as a “problem” at all. The author/agent relationship has to work from both sides of the table, as does the author/editor and I would presume agent/editor relationship. Relationships make the world go ’round.
You did the right thing for you, which ultimately is the right thing for the author. Who wants an agent that is less than enthused about her work?
It’s sort of like the publishing version of HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU. Honesty hurts, but it’s better to know up front so everyone ends up with someone who IS into them
Great post! This easily translates into the differences in taste that we all have as readers. I can respect a genre, and even an author, and yet not find her work appealing–simply because “it’s not my cup of tea.”
For me, this goes to “voice.” We don’t always understand why we connect with an author’s voice–or why, sometimes, we just don’t–but if the connection isn’t there, it seems silly to try to force the issue, even–and especially–if there’s money involved.
Like you (but from a reader’s perspective), I’m looking for authors with whom I can develop a life-long relationship–authors I can keep coming back to again and again, knowing that at least most of the time, I can expect to enjoy their writing.
It sounds as if you made a thoughtful and ethical decision in this case. Representing her when you don’t feel passionate about her work isn’t in her best interest, or yours.
Kristin, truer words were never spoken. As an author, I would not want an agent who wasn’t enthusiastic about my book. I want my agent to fall in love with my books. The time commitment can be huge, and if an agent doesn’t love it and isn’t 110% behind the author, the author isn’t going to get the best service. I had an agent who rejected the manuscript I ended up selling and she said I would sell it, the writing was strong, but she didn’t love it. I am so grateful for that, even though it hurt at the time, because I realized the relationship would have only ended miserably.
I think it’s wonderful that you passed on the “easy money” because you felt that you just couldn’t be enthusiastic enough about the author’s work. I wouldn’t want an agent who offered representation merely because I had done a lot of the work of submitting and had received an offer. I would want someone who wanted my books–and me–for the long haul.
What a great service you do for writers, Kristen by revealing your likes and dislikes. This is part of a writer’s homework – to figure out which agent may or may not be for her. That task can be daunting but all clues should be welcome.
I applaud you for not taking the sure thing and the author will, too. Once you get past the first sale, you want your agent to be just as enthusiastic about your work.
Wow Kristin, that’s very refreshing to hear. I’ve received a few rejection letters from agents telling me that my writing was strong, but they didn’t connect with my voice so it’s nice to know that it’s not BS and it’s even nicer to hear that you’re staying true to yourself