pbray | 5 Writers Walk Into A Bar

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Keeping the stereotypes alive, when writers get together, it's often in a bar, and this weekend was no exception. As we talked about the state of the industry and our careers, some of those present lamented the difficulty in finding the right agent--someone who is not only a skilled negotiator, industry-savvy and enthusiastic about your work, but also someone whose personality and business style meshes with your own.

Being happily represented by superagent

arcaedia, I could not join in the laments but instead offered my beer-inspired realization that what the world really needs is a MATCH dot COM for writers and agents. It's so perfect, I can't believe no one has thought of this before.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

jjschwabach.livejournal.com

Again, just as with relationships. The things that your friends consider the best characteristics of their S.O.s are the things that would absolutely drive you nuts. Which is why *you're* not dating that person. Client lists can only tell you so much about an agent. Myself, I wouldn't mind the kind of agent who tells me what needs to be fixed, but I also am not sure I would consider it essential.

My sister has two novels and two non-fiction books for young people actually *on the market, right now* and has run into the same kind of issues I have. I've had three agents respond personally and address specific reasons they didn't want to represent my work, which is fine. That would be part of what a matching service would do. My sister actually had an agent insist on being sent a copy of one her her extant books, and then form-rejected her. If you go on Amazon, you'll find her. The YA Fiction is *not* with a small press.

So, if you want to get programming on your matching service, I'll be willing to supply fuel ;-). (Bonus; since I'm allergic to alcohol, I won't even try to eat your brain when you're refueling.)