What I was disturbed with was the amount of hostility some posters on here are flinging about. Agents and editors aren’t all evil- and if you feel that way, then go self-publish. I don’t understand the mentality of calling editors, agents, and or the current publishing model names. If you want to follow traditional publishing- you play by their games. You find an agent who loves your work and is willing to fight for you. That agent works with editors such as Mr. Pomerico to see if your book is a fit for their company at that point in time. If not, said agent moves on to next publisher.

If you don’t like the rules- then don’t play.

It’s a pretty simple concept, yet more and more hostility such as shown in some of these posts keeps popping up. Ya don’t like it, then just move along and self-publish.

And I will now get off my soap box .

Point is- great blog- thanks for posting .

Thank you, Mr. Pomerico, for clearing that up.

Writerguy: I’m sorry you feel that way, but if that’s your experience with agents, then you’re working with the wrong agents. Trust me–I’m friendly with a number of great agents, but when it comes down to negotiations, it’s all business. I can have drinks with an agent one day, and then argue over advances and sub-rights the next. So yes, there’s a relationship there–and, in some cases, genuine friendship–but no successful agent is going to screw over their client (and therefore themselves) because they’re friends with an editor.

The key thing to remember is that the relationship I’m building here isn’t about hurting writers, but about making sure that I see the very best submissions I can in the way I’m allowed to see them–through an agent–and then publishing to the widest possible distribution and audience.

At the end of the day, though, I think it’s also important that while you may think of agents as middle-men, that’s the reality of the business right now. Some big houses take unsolicited manuscripts, some don’t. My house doesn’t. That’s a decision for you to make when submitting or deciding on trying to find an agent. But I will point out that I do rely on agents’ tastes and their knowledge of what I like to know that I’m getting the best possible submissions from them. The only way to know if our opinions about each other are valid, however, is by getting to know each other–by forming a relationship.

Do I wish writers had more access to editors and publishing houses? Actually, I don’t. We are an artistic business, but we’re still a business, and reading submissions takes up a lot of time. Agents–by knowing the editors and what they like to read and are looking to acquire–help me manage my time effectively, so that when I am working on a manuscript from an author I have signed to a contract, I can give him or her my undivided attention.

That said, I read every submission that comes across my desk–agented or not–and I give each one the same attention, regardless of how it came to me. It may take me a while, but I’ll get back to you. So if you think I’m being callous, I know I’m not going to change your mind. But that’s the way the business works–at least for me.

Anne wrote: \If corporate doesn’t want an editor buying books they didn’t request, well, just request the book. That’s what the query process is for, after all. A synopsis, a sample, a quick professional letter telling what the book is about and what the writer’s qualifications are. Very simple. If the editor likes the sound of it and it fits their line, they can ask to see the full manuscript.\

I know some editors and publishers do this, even though they (probably wisely) don’t often advertise that they do it. It’s much easier to throw the ‘no unagented submissions’ barricade up to discourage writers from sending in more slush to overworked editors. I get that, and I get that it’s a business. In an ideal world, editors would spend more time explaining to writers (their suppliers) what they want or don’t want in a novel, and less time keeping agents happy, as David wrote.

Now maybe that makes less sense for the agent because he needs the editor more than he needs me. That means that I am wasting my time hiring an agent. because things are cozy now between the three of us is not the point. The point if, I am out 15% and am about to get hosed when I need agent to hash out a issue with editor somewhere down the road.

As an aside, since agents have no licensing body, no training and no guidelines, the idea that ‘no unagented submissions’ means anything is a farce. I could print letter head that says XYZ lit agency and I am an agent. Unknown agents get about as much consideration from a publisher as unknown authors. They are a dime a dozen and long term successful editors in this business know it. They know the big time agents and certainly give them a hard look because of their success and rep. Joe Agent is no one to them just like Joe Author.

Writers produce books. Publishers buy them. Without writers, editors wouldn’t have jobs. Nowhere in that are agents necessary to make the process work. Writers->publishers->readers, that’s what makes the publishing industry world go around

If you say writer, you are wrong. Del Rey does not accept unsolicited manuscripts from writers. They only accept them from agents. If you guys want to get angry at semantics, go ahead., but David is not doing anything illegal and he doesn’t keep agents happy at the pain of writers. All he is saying is this: “He is tactful with agents when he gives a rejection because he wants those agents to keep bringing him new material from more writers to take a look at.”

And if I’m not mistaken, I think that is a wonderful thing for all writers. The more editors an agent trusts to be tactful and professional, the more times a hopeful writer’s book is going to be read. Which means the more opportunities a writer might become a published writer by finding that needle in the haystack editor who wants to publish it. The odds are stacked against writers enough and every possible open avenue needs to exist. David is merely saying he makes sure that happens. Just something for you to think about.

If agents are selling you rights, they are breaking the law. That would be like my plumber selling you the pipes in my house. Not his to sell.

I certainly am not looking for an editor who wants to keep my agent happy. You can keep me happy or I’ll sell my books to other publishers. My agent works for me. Period. End of story. If you want agents to work for you, good luck, but I won;t be part of it,.

I also want your ‘touch’ on my book when hell freezes over. I write – you edit. If you want to write go become a writer. You are giving me a good reason to be wary of your publisher here, sir. Maybe you should think about what you are saying – or perhaps how you are handling your ‘partners’ – and clarify some of this.

Unless of course you really think agents are supplying you and selling to you. In which case, please keep posting your thoughts so more writer will no better than to work with you.