Agent's Value

[onyxhawke]

There have been a few posts lately about the value of agents across the internet. Some by agents, some by writers who love their agents, and some by people who seem to think agents are on the far side child molesters on their list of favorite kinds of people.

Leaving completely aside the debate of if an agent is needed to publish a book, I'd

Comments

[chipaatsua]

Bird walk it may be, but an interesting one that drives home the point. I totally agree with your analogy, and I'll add two more huge benefits (both often overlooked by writers) in having a great agent:
1. Validation. By you agreeing to represent my work, you also say it is publishable because you aren't going to waste your valuable time or risk your reputation by offering up something that isn't (and you've never once wavered in that support).
And:
2. A bulwark against the nasty side of publishing, where the capriciousness of editors can be, to say the least, maddening.

In case I've forgotten to say this recently, thank you.

[melissajm]

Exactly! I'd far rather spend my time writing.

[jongibbs]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing :)

[bfaolan]