The Evolution of Agents

Every week I co-host a live chat on Twitter called the #WritersRoad. This week our topic was all about how agents are changing along with the industry. Some of this is good for writers, some is bad, and some, I'm honestly not sure about yet.

As I am preparing to submit a novel at the end of this year, I recently started researching agents again (a vital part of the submission process). While I'm happy to be an indie, like many I plan to straddle the pond, so to speak. The novel I'm going to submit is unique and has commercial appeal that is likely to draw the attention of the Big 6, therefore I want to give it that chance. While researching I was shocked and saddened to find that a lot of the agents I had come to know, respect, and some even befriended, are no longer agents. The more I researched, the more I realized why.

The industry is changing and the role of agents is changing with it. There are now agents that offer editing services, some that offer full self-publishing services such as helping the author contract a cover artist, formatter, editor, the whole nine yards (in essence becoming their publisher). Some agents are even representing self-published authors and taking a percentage of their income. I have to admit, in this new world of agents and services, I'm treading water, still deciding which direction to swim.

How about you? Are you submitting, or do you plan to? Would you sign with an agent who does any of the above?

~Heather

Author of the paranormal Earth-conscious channeler series: Born of Fire (FREE story), The Secret of Spruce Knoll, Channeler's Choice, Rise of a Rector, the historical fantasy, To Ride A Puca, and the epic fantasy The Dragon Empire. Heather also has stories in the following anthologies: In His Eyes (FREE) and Winter Wonders.