Kelly McClymer's Blog

The internet made my search for a YA agent infinitely easier. I had access to email groups that had agent guests in all genres, including YA. I knew my concept was good, and I thought my book was also good. But working in a vacuum can be a little hard on the confidence, so when I queried a few agents, I was not surprised to get a few quick form rejections. However, I had my sights set on one particular new agent at an established agency. New meant that she would be hungry to find new clients, and my publishing record meant she would not be dealing with a complete newbie, so she’d have something to work with. Established agency meant the possibility of weathering bumpy weather without a problem. Or so I had decided, crossing all my fingers and toes that Agent #5 would like my new concept as much as I did.

She did. She asked me to make some minor revisions, and then sold it quickly. For the first time, I had two publishers interested in my work, and I had to choose. That was much harder than I had expected, but I made my choice based on some factors in the offer. My agent gently suggested the other offer was probably better. After thinking over her reasoning, I agreed. We had a deal. I had now sold my finished YA, plus the next book in the series, plus another book. I had two book deadlines, and felt vindicated that my high concept idea had been worth changing course for.

Agent #5 decided it was time to strike out on her own. She left the established agency and started her own agency. She asked if I wanted to go with her. I liked her ambition, and her energy. I said yes.

Agent #5 took another agent in under her agency umbrella. Then another. Then the first one left. Then she took in another. She was determined to make her agency stand out, and I admired her efforts.

She made a new deal for me for the third and final book in my YA series, and for an untitled YA to be determined. We talked about concepts for my fifth YA. I talked to my editor, too. We all agreed on a concept. My father died. My editor got a fabulous promotion at another house. I got a new editor and turned in my fifth YA to her.

I wasn’t happy with my ideas for future books. They had hooks, but weren’t really high concept enough. Still, I generated proposals for Agent #5 to present to my editor for my option books (I had two contracts, and two options to fulfill). They didn’t wow her.

I had an idea that was very high concept, but a touchy sell. I wrote it anyway, because the characters wouldn’t let me alone, but I knew better than to try to sell it on proposal. Agent #5 agreed on that point, but was eager to see it finished. We went back and forth on a few points, and then she took the new book to editors. Lots of interest, and no sales later, we shelved that book. I had been looking for a new idea to get excited about, but nothing seemed outstanding to me.

I went on a trip to DC feeling despair. As my husband went to his meetings, I sat in the hotel lobby, compiling the list of ideas I had run by my agent in the past year. With her on the phone, we went through the ideas one by one, ranking them for potential. We finally hit upon the one I should write. I hung up, feeling like I had a direction at last.

Not long after, another high concept idea grabbed me by the ears and said, “Write me!” Unlike the previous high-concept-but-touchy idea, this one was eminently marketable. But it was complex (more complex than I knew when I first thought of it). Could I write it? I decided I’d write the whole book and see. I prepared a proposal for a Middle Grade idea Agent #5 and I had discussed and she marketed that while I worked on the new book, expecting to be done in five or six months.

A year later, when I was finally revising the last half of the book for the fourth time, and we were close to the time when Agent #5 would spring it on the market and sell it at auction for twelve figures (this kind of fantasy life helps get a writer through to the end of the book…at which point reality sets in)…Agent #5 called to tell me she was closing her agency and leaving the business.

I’m trying not to take it personally. It is only business. But my record is a little suspicious, if you read it in a certain light — I appear to have driven two agents (Agent #3 and Agent #5) immediately out of the business. And two left the business at some point after we parted ways (Agent #1 and Agent #2/#4). In short, none of the agencies that have represented me have been left standing…

I have to admit, though, I feel a certain sense of trepidation at the newest search, for Agent #6. It seems unwise to baldly ask, “Can you foresee a circumstance where you will ever be driven out of the business?” I’m quite sure that Agents #1-#5 would have all laughed at such a question when I first signed with them. But somehow, after having me as a client, they all made that decision.

HINDSIGHT: It is *not* me. Agenting is a tough business, and sometimes people find other occupations more worthwhile after they’ve give it a go. But maybe I need to look for an established agent at an established agency? Maybe. Sigh. Thank goodness for the internet. And e-submissions.

Next up — My How This Business Has Changed