If you chance upon the manuscript submissions page of one well-known literary agency that no longer accepts queries or manuscripts without a recommendation from somebody the agents know, you'll find this advice:

Our advice to writers seeking representation is to search out writing groups or writing teachers that can give support to your work and can provide recommendations to agents when they feel your work is ready for submission to a professional publishing person.

This "advice" is absurd on its face: what are the odds that the writing teacher one selects is going to be a trusted friend or colleague of anyone at this agency?

More importantly, why does the person who wrote these words presume that because the prospective client doesn't know anyone at the agency, s/he needs to enroll in a writing course?

My guess is that the agency believes the following: "98.6% of the people reading our submission guidelines are unwashed wannabees who, after a misspent life of drinking and grave robbery, sobered up one day and said, 'Dang, i think i wannabee a riter.'"

Otherwise, presuming that everyone you don't know needs to go back to school is at best arrogant.

Why not just say: We don't accept unsolicited queries or manuscripts without insulting the many long-time writers and other professionals who might have found your site?

Fortunately, most of the agents' websites I've seen, while equally firm, have a great deal more finesse and occasionally some very helpful resources.

While I am sometimes deluged with mail and e-mail requests that I can't possible handle, I can't possibly imagine what it would be like to be a literary agent with a ton of unsolicited manuscripts arriving on my doorstep each week.

But guys, I have to say that you caused this problem. You have worked diligently for years convincing publishers that they will have more time to do what they do best if agents are permitted to screen ALL manuscripts first.

You asked to be the sole keepers of the sacred gates. The least you can do is smile sweetly when somebody knocks.

-

(I didn't knock or even consider knocking, just happened to notice this when I was looking to see who represented whom.)
from Sun Singer's Travels: http://sunsinger.blogspot.com/

Very well put!

Hey, agents are evil.


The fact that they're a necessary evil just makes it that much worse.

Thanks, Zada. You may be right, Lin!

Malcolm

Good one Malcolm--I love the reference to how they created this situation themselves by asking to be the gatekeepers. Sheesh.

The gatekeers keep adding more locks to the gate while I keep hoping maybe they'll be trapped inside.

Malcolm

Saying that all agents are evil is just wrong. I happen to like mine. She is funny and intelligent. I like her as a person, and I value her opinion.

Now...can she control what editors deem "commercial"? No.
But, I still stand a better chance at the big publishers with her on my team.

Sure, the system sucks. Wouldn't we all like to return to the days when a writer could simply approach an editor? When the value of a writer's work was all that mattered, and not what was considered "hot" at the time?

Not the real world, I'm afraid.

What you say makes sense.
I don't know whether you made this post or your mother.
But I'm sure she would have used those same words and logic.

I think for many of us, the problem seems to be finding a reputable agent among all the wolves out there!!

Hope Clark has an interesting e-book called Agent in Your Pocket which covers the basics of finding an agent; it includes resource links as well as links to quite a few agents. Cost is $8.95

Her web site: http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm

Malcolm

Thanks for the link, Malcolm!

Hey guys. Do any of you remember 'the good ol' days' when agents would baby along and support writers who showed promise? Of course, that was eons ago, long before personal computers and gillions of people wanting to write.

The one I had tried the 'tough love' approach with me and I'm not so sure that was good. Now I wouldn't mind a little pampering.

You know Brenda I had forgotten about that too--the nurturing agent. One of the greatest "spirit lifters" I see around here is the local writer's association. Great group of people, and the board and staff at the office give incredible support (and are very well networked). It's like having a cheering squad all of your own, even though they do it for everyone. Kind of like the virtual community is here in some respects.
Go team go!

That sounds wonderful, Pam. May I join?????

You know, Southern CA is full of talented people, but out here, almost in the desert, there's not a writers' group around. I've thought of starting one, but don't know if I have enough spare time to do all the ground work necessary.

Would be nice, tho.

You can join Brenda, though you are a heck of a distance from Nova Scotia. It's called the Nova Scotia Writer's Federation http://www.writers.ns.ca/ and I'd be happy to introduce you to the crew