Hi Gals,
The other day I recommended a resource that teaching about what to look for in an agent by Janet Kobobel Grant. Well, I just got some insights from Janet on agent's fees and expenses. I thought I would pass along for those who have asked me about this. Hope it helps...I'll be answering more writing questions tonight so stay tuned.
Blessings!
Just to set the record straight on agents charging fees for postage,
photocopying, etc., let me assure all of you that the Association of Author
Representatives (AAR), the national organization that monitors agents' actions, sets
forth in its regulations that an agent may charge for costs incurred in the
selling of specific manuscripts.
Charging fees for reading or editing manuscripts is not allowed. That's
because the agent isn't really making a living by placing your manuscripts with
publishers but by reworking your material.
Generally agents who do charge fees for postage and such will have in their
contract that they must give an accounting of what those expenses are.
Nowadays most agents submit material via email attachments, and phone calls, which
used to be among those expenses, have pretty much fallen by the wayside as
well--unless the agent is making international calls to sell foreign rights.
And, unless an agent works with children's material or publishers such as
Harlequin, which require the manuscripts be submitted as hard copy, the costs of
charging for expenses can be higher than the amount the agency receives in
payment for expenses.
Our agency used to charge fees for expenses associated with selling
manuscripts, but in the Christian market, the majority of agencies don't charge fees.
So, even though AAR recognizes this as a valid way for an agent to do
business, our agency changed its policy because we didn't want there ever to be any
question about our integrity. We found people were confused and didn't make
the differentiation between reading and editing fees and straightforward
repayment of expenses.
So don't let the word "fees" scare you away from agent. Find out why fees
are being charged, about how much they would be per month, and in what way the
agent accounts to you how much you owe.
If an agent charges a higher commission than other agents, that certainly
deserves a conversation. In what ways can that agent justify higher payment?
It's appropriate to ask for references from that agent of authors he is
representing and to ask them in what ways the agent has earned the additional
commission.
Janet Kobobel Grant
Literary Agent & Founder
Books & Such, Inc.
The other day I recommended a resource that teaching about what to look for in an agent by Janet Kobobel Grant. Well, I just got some insights from Janet on agent's fees and expenses. I thought I would pass along for those who have asked me about this. Hope it helps...I'll be answering more writing questions tonight so stay tuned.
Blessings!
Just to set the record straight on agents charging fees for postage,
photocopying, etc., let me assure all of you that the Association of Author
Representatives (AAR), the national organization that monitors agents' actions, sets
forth in its regulations that an agent may charge for costs incurred in the
selling of specific manuscripts.
Charging fees for reading or editing manuscripts is not allowed. That's
because the agent isn't really making a living by placing your manuscripts with
publishers but by reworking your material.
Generally agents who do charge fees for postage and such will have in their
contract that they must give an accounting of what those expenses are.
Nowadays most agents submit material via email attachments, and phone calls, which
used to be among those expenses, have pretty much fallen by the wayside as
well--unless the agent is making international calls to sell foreign rights.
And, unless an agent works with children's material or publishers such as
Harlequin, which require the manuscripts be submitted as hard copy, the costs of
charging for expenses can be higher than the amount the agency receives in
payment for expenses.
Our agency used to charge fees for expenses associated with selling
manuscripts, but in the Christian market, the majority of agencies don't charge fees.
So, even though AAR recognizes this as a valid way for an agent to do
business, our agency changed its policy because we didn't want there ever to be any
question about our integrity. We found people were confused and didn't make
the differentiation between reading and editing fees and straightforward
repayment of expenses.
So don't let the word "fees" scare you away from agent. Find out why fees
are being charged, about how much they would be per month, and in what way the
agent accounts to you how much you owe.
If an agent charges a higher commission than other agents, that certainly
deserves a conversation. In what ways can that agent justify higher payment?
It's appropriate to ask for references from that agent of authors he is
representing and to ask them in what ways the agent has earned the additional
commission.
Janet Kobobel Grant
Literary Agent & Founder
Books & Such, Inc.
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