Funny You Should Ask: Agent + Author Breakups

Dear FYSA,

I received a request for my manuscript from a top agent, and after two days, received a phone call about representing my debut novel and was presented a contract for the term of one year.

A few days after signing, I received a list of around 50 editors and publishers my agent had queried. Then, nothing. I emailed him several times to check on progress but received terse responses, if any, then there was no communication at all. If I called, there was no answer. At the end of the contract year, I received no message so sent one to him stating that the contract was over. I received a form note: “Good luck in selling your novel.”

I’m feeling so puzzled and belittled, and I have actually stopped writing altogether. Do all agents operate in such a fashion? Should I even try to query my previous manuscript again since more than 50 editors may have read my work?

Sincerely,

Pressing Pause

Dear Pressing,

Oh goodness, this gave me the same feeling as when I went on the tilt-a-whirl with an inner ear infection—disorienting … and vomit-inducing. I am sorry this has been your experience. Hold this balloon and I’ll get us some ice cream.

So, all agents and agencies operate with subtle differences, but I feel comfortable saying we operate with a unified intent: to sell your manuscript to a supportive editor at a reputable imprint with a publishing house that offers quality distribution. So, in that list of 50 editors that the agent queried, I have to assume that criteria was met. But here is where the carnival fun house music swells for me: Does that mean 50 editors were given an initial pitch for the novel? Or does that mean that these editors had the manuscript and were going to read and respond? And if so—why not tell you the responses? I … I just don’t know. I’m baffled.

So, I guess there’s the answer to your first question on whether all agents operate like this, because I don’t. Our goal is to sell the novel, right? As your colleague, why would I not communicate responses—especially rejections? Having thoughts from multiple editors about what isn’t working with the novel is incredibly helpful in this whack-a-mole game of next steps. (Speaking of, hold my ice cream, I want to try to win the giant stuffed moose.) And yes, OK, I have sometimes faltered on communication, and the pandemic definitely made time move sideways, but being outright frozen out of communication must have felt yucky, and I am sorry for that.

Look, we can try to understand what happened with this agent, but that is not beneficial for how to move forward for you. My biggest concern here is the line “I have stopped writing.” Let’s unpack that (and let’s sit down, this moose is a bit unwieldy). This was a confusing and bumpy ride, and I can understand the exhaustion. But, hey, your manuscript got the attention of a top agent once, what have you got to lose by trying another round of agents? If one of them calls to sign you, explain the history, forward the previous agent’s submission list, and let the new offering agent walk you through their thoughts. (I mean, gosh, they could probably even call a few of those editors and ask if they saw it.) But that offering agent? They are going to ask you what you are writing now. And we want to be able to tell them, not only because it is a factor in that agent’s convos with editors about what an offer could look like, but also because a writer writes. This career is always a rollercoaster of a ride—and sometimes it feels like the wheels come right off—but as a writer, your muse should always be leaning over and whispering: “Let’s go again.”

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Dear FYSA,

Lately, I’ve been feeling like who I am as a person and where I want my career to go are no longer aligned with my agent (whom I’ve always had a wonderful relationship with, if a little awkward). My question is … how do I break up with my agent nicely?

Thanks,

Time for a Change

Dear Time for a Change,

OK, I legit lol’d at the phrase “wonderful … if a little awkward.” What a perfect encapsulation of the agent/author relationship.

My first question to you would be, have you had the chance to discuss with your agent your concerns? I might suggest that first. But if you are really and truly looking to move on, set up a call with her, thank her for the work that she has done for you, and tell her that looking forward you need to make a change and that you are dissolving your agency agreement. There should be some language in your agency agreement regarding a grace period that she has to wrap up any current submissions or contracts (generally 30–60 days) and while she is wrapping up, you can begin your new agent hunt. In the end, I would just ask that you lean into a phrase I say to my kiddos all the time when we are trying to get out the door after a play date: Let’s leave like we arrived, with grace and gratitude.