Literary Agents Are People Too

Here’s my latest revelation. Literary agents are people too. To be honest, I have been aware of this for some time on one level but have been having trouble with it sinking in. I’ve met agents at pitches during writer’s conferences and realized that some of them I clicked with and some not so much. Just like in any social situation with real people.

But on a deeper level, they still held my future in their hands, or so I thought. If only they would pick my manuscript to represent, then I would get published. And getting published gives legitimacy to my writing pursuits. I still believe this since I’m an optimist all the way. I just know that if given the chance, I will edit my heart out, write the next novel with super dedication, and promote the hell out of the published book! So there you go, just choose me all-powerful agent and I will make your job easy.

But alas they are just people, and as such, have all the same peculiarities as we mere mortals do. They might be a pessimist and assume that since I don’t have a lot of social media presence then I won’t succeed. (Here’s where you follow this page and subscribe to my podcast). They might be an optimist and think that if they hold out a little longer, they will represent the next JK Rowling. (Here’s where I tell them, fine, just get me in the door and I’ll make you some pocket change along the way.) They could be burned out and just want to meet quota, or they can be new and afraid to take a risk that might upset their bosses. They could be awesome but just too busy for a new author in my genre. They could be looking to branch out and create more diversity in their representation. And, finally, some are just plain crazy.

I’ve been told this in so many different ways and almost every rejection says, writing is subjective so don’t give up because another agent might feel differently. The difference is that now I am beginning to realize that finding the right agent is more than just finding someone who likes my book, but also finding someone that wants to work with me. It does add another layer to the search but it gives me some padding for my ego, and allows me to keep going. No one has said (or even remotely implied) that I suck and should give up the pursuit. Therefore, I will go on the assumption that eventually I will find the “soulmate” of agents … I just have to keep looking and send out a new round of queries … for Gator Moon, a Y/A Mystery Thriller.