They say every writer needs an agent. Well, not according to Neil Gaiman, but he’s Neil Gaiman, and he did answer the question about agents – in his own way – here. Then there’s Colleen Doran’s list of “good agents” who also sends to Preditors & Editors (recommended also by Piers Anthony).
But there are also the horror stories: always double check with Preditors&Editors AND SFWA Writers Beware before signing up. Check also the funny adventures of Mr Molotkov and his Agents from Hell.
Authors complain also about publishers – both Piers Anthony and Colleen Doran had issues with their publishers, so… I’m just wondering if in this bad bad world were other people want to feed on our creativity, if there’s a way to reaching our readers and making a living out of it – I don’t want to become rich, but I wouldn’t mind quitting my day job.
Maybe putting it all on-line for free would help? It would bring in the readers, but then what? Should I try to end up with Baen, who has also a free library? I don’t need to be a bestseller, I only need those few readers that would allow me to quit my day job – say 5000? Out of 6billion people (even if not all speak English) it’s not too unrealistic, is it? But which is the best way to reach them in the age of the internet?
Anybody has an answer?
Lua
/ February 25, 2010Oh Barb, this issue is one of my worst nightmares…
I believe today writers do need agents but from where I’m standing it feels like it’s too easy to get lost in the system. I guess I’m still a little intimidated by all of this. I wish I could only deal with the writing part and the rest would sort it self out… Well, I am allowed to daydream, right? 
We don’t have any agents here in Istanbul, only editors, so it took me quiet some time to figure out the whole system
Barb
/ February 25, 2010well, Lua, one of the reasons I decided to write in English is because in Italy there aren’t any agents either (only for established authors or who deal with foreign right… doh!
)… yet, it’s easy to get lost in the system and find one of those scammers out there, but there are also very good agents/editors/publishers, so with a little research, we can find them! 
Remember to check those “writer beware” sites and it’s also recommend to contact clients of the agent/editor/publisher targeted to ask them how they feel about the agent/editor/publisher! 
We will make it!
Mickey Mills
/ February 25, 2010In my most humble opinion, the agent/publisher system we have today is heavily biased to writers with a track record. New writers can have the “Gone With the Wind,” on their hands and stand a good chance of never having it read by an agent.
To get an agent, it’s not enough to be a good writer. Luck definitely comes into play. It all starts with the query letter. As good as your work is, it will never see an agents hand unless the query has enticed them to request to see your manuscript.
Everyone that looked at my query for Haunting Injustice thought it had enough hook and flash to garner some agent’s attention, but with dozens of queries on the street, all I saw were rejections, some within 2-3 minutes of emailing the query, making me question if the agent really took the time to digest it.
I ultimately ended up self-publishing my work because I came to the conclusion that, even if I did get an agent, I was looking at 18-24 months to get a published book on the street. And in these times, publishers will invest very little money to market a new writers book. The author is expected to do the marketing footwork, and do it for a small percentage. Publisher put there marketing dollars towards their franchised writers and debut authors are barely on their radar. It’s a system that inherently brings about failure for the new writer.
I decided that, since I had to do the marketing anyway, I might as well get the book on the street by self-publishing, start getting my name out there, and make a little money in the process.
So far, I think it was the right decision.
Mickey Mills
The Prodigal Scribe
Barb
/ February 26, 2010Thank you for your advice! It’s certainly worth considering. I have considered also putting my work online for free (like an Italian friend of mine decided to do) just to “spread the word” and let my name out, but I’m not sure how to do it. Apparently Limyaael did something like that and got plagiarized or something, so I’m still trying to figure it all out… it’s tough, but I know we can find a way and make it!
Looking forward to reading your book, Mickey!