The hard way

A well-meaning writer friend recently returned from a local writer’s conference bursting with new information. He was all fired up and ready to hit the page. Good for him. He also knows I have a completed manuscript and that I’m seeking agent representation, so he wrote on my Facebook wall:

“I learned at my writer’s conference that you don’t need to get an agent until you have a publisher interested.”

*sigh*

Okay, I don’t need an agent until I catch a publisher’s eye. H.O.W.E.V.E.R, I don’t have access to influential publishing people. I don’t have credentials or relationships that would help slip my little ‘ol manuscript past the big, dark slush rooms-o-terror. I don’t know the first thing about publishing contract negotiations.

Agents do.

Here’s how I see it. If I’m lucky enough to sell my story, my agent will get a slice of my advance. If I find an agent first, then I’m partnering with someone who believes in my story; will fight for my story; can get publishing decision-makers’ attention way faster that I could; can provide valuable criticism; can negotiate my contract and hopefully a larger advance. If I find an agent second, I’ll spend years querying and years waiting, I’ll still have to find an agent (with whom I will have no rapport) if I'm successful, and his or her commission will be nothing more than a contract negotiation fee.

I know my friend was looking out for me, and I truly appreciate that. But I can't help thinking that finding a publisher before finding an agent seems like...the hard way. As if any of this is easy.