I accidentally found out while surfing the web a few months ago that agent Lucienne Diver is also a writer (in case you’re wondering, the link leads to her writer’s website, not her agenting website). (Want her agenting website, too? Sheesh! Okay, okay!). She’s represented by Kristin Nelson, has a couple of short stories and a novel with Five Star published under the name, Kit Daniels. Her first novel as Lucienne Diver, VAMPED, releases this year.
I already knew that agent Roberta Brown publishes as Kate Angell, and Deidre Knight publishes as, well, herself. I know there are other agents out there who are also published writers, but their names escape me at the moment.
Some authors are dead-set against having an agent who writes. I confess I used to think that way, too. Now, my concern is much more along the lines of how would OUR author/agent relationship work and thrive regardless of whether the agent is also a writer or not? Personally, I would not discount an agent who writes, but I know there’s another viewpoint. If anyone cares to extoll the pros of NOT signing with an agent who writes, I’m all ears. Is having an agent who writes an advantage, a disadvantage, or…it depends?
My CP writes paranormal and knows a lot of FF&P people. She says Lucienne Diver has a great reputation and she’s not ignoring her clients for her own writing. I think that’s the one thing I’d worry about. I know how I get when I’m writing.
Hi Edie, yes, that’s the thing I’d worry about, too. However, the other side is that agents who write truly understand the creative process, which can be a huge plus.
That doesn’t mean you have to be a writer to understand or respect the creative process, however. There are agents who are not writers who are still great at brainstorming with and critiquing, so to speak, their clients’ manuscripts. So, for me, it depends. On the agent, how she works with her clients, and what her other clients have to say about her. Of course, all rel’ships are different so what works for one writer might not work for another. Therein lies the crux of finding the best-for-you agent/author rel’ship.
Yep, it definitely depends. For example, Edie says Lucienne doesn’t ignore her clients. I’d assume that was a no-brainer, but the fact remains that agents who write don’t get a special pass on the 24-hour day limit, you know? So I’d worry, say, if my agent was just starting to write, or was just starting to build or take a step to the next level, stuff that might start requiring her to reprioritize. A really good agent with busy clients already works insane hours. A really good writer who has three books out a year and has to promote them and is selling well enough to require a book tour or a blog tour, even…well, the two combined would mean something’s got to give, and I’d worry that I’d be that something. I wouldn’t begrudge the agent/author the success or personal fulfillment–but the author has to do what’s best for them, too.
Hi Natalie,
You’re so right that agents who write don’t get a special pass on the number of hours in a day. I wonder how agents who write, and then their careers take off, handle it? Do they cut back on their client list, either by not taking on more new clients or by passing some of their current clients to other agents at the agency (if they are with a multi-person agency)? However, writing is creative and agenting (to me, anyway) is business. My mind would compartmentalize the two, were I an agent.
However, that said, I’m a slow writer so I can’t imagine ever taking on an extra business I didn’t feel forced to take on.
I think how they handle it will differ as much as anything. Some will seal or cull their client list. Some will leave agenting. Some will work hard to keep a balance.
But I agree about the compartmentalizing, I don’t think that would be difficult for the right person. I don’t like talking on the phone or dealing with people, so right there, you know I’ll never be a dual agent/author! LOL
Why, Natalie, in person you are very pleasant. Maybe you have to wait until hologramming is more efficient (um, if it even exists), and then you can transport your halogram instead of talking on the phone.
I don’t think there’s much fear of me ever becoming an agent AND continuing to write at the same time. I’m already compartamentalized enough.