Author: Chris Hagler
Date:   11-05-09 11:48

Has anyone any information on Tiffany Durant of Durant Literary?

She responded very quickly to my inquiry and is now requesting a full read. I am of course very excited, but I wondered if anyone had any information.

Author: jayce
Date:   11-05-09 12:50

How did you find her? And why are you just now asking?

Preditors & Editors has no listing. AgentQuery has no listing. Publishers Marketplace shows no sales. Their website is one of those freebie things, with ads from Tate Publishing, no less (probably a Google fluke).

I personally would steer clear of an inexperienced agent no matter how honest they might be—assuming this one is.

Author: Chris Hagler
Date:   11-05-09 13:00

Found her on a regular old Google search while looking for YA agents.
On her listing she says she runs her business to AAR standards (which I'm assuming means there's no bogus fees and such). I haven't gotten a lot more information. I'm just trying to err on the side of caution so to speak. I have spoken with her assistant through e-mails, and so far it seems cool. I haven't seen any lofty claims or open promises, which is usually a red flag. I was going to proceed cautiously and I wanted to see if there were any more educated opinions before I did.

Chris

Author: Gary Kessler
Date:   11-05-09 13:05

Does she say she is a member of AAR (which approves some fees posters here call bogus, by the way) or has she written that to give the impression she is when she is not? Pin that down and you might know how the wind is drifting on this.

Agents do have to start somewhere. But a good agent will work for someone else and acquire a reputation before starting his/her own business. Ask her for her background in the business and in successfully representing YA.

Author: Gary Kessler
Date:   11-05-09 13:06

By the way, there's a very good article linked to the Agent page here, "Ask Before You Leap," on the questions to clear up with an agent before signing.

Author: dream catcher
Date:   11-05-09 13:50

Chris,
I did a google search and found her on WN under agents. Her info is on here. True, she runs her agency according to AAR standards, but she is not a member of the AAR. Her agency consists of 15 people who are English and Journalism Majors, and they operate internationally. I would be careful.

Author: jayce
Date:   11-05-09 14:08

Anyone can sign up as an agent on W/N. There's no vetting whatsoever.

Author: Janice W-D
Date:   11-05-09 15:05

There are three types of people who call themselves agents:

1. Ones who land their clients contracts with traditional publishers. Prior to calling themselves an agent, they gained experience in the publishing industry. Some were bookstore clerks or service reps before working as an assistant to an established agent. Publishing house editors pay special attention to their submissions because they know these agents have paid their dues, understand the market and will sent only the type of books the editor is looking for currently.

By that I don't mean the agents send them only Young Adult mss. They know which particular editors wanted YA this year for fourteen year olds who love riding horses and six months from now will want YA for sixteen year olds who love to snow ski. They keep us with the market AND each editor's preferences because they've been professional trained to know how to do that.

2. Scammers. Con wo/men who perform none of the services that real agents do. They'll use your submissions as fire starters in their Vail ski lodge. They'll use your money as a down payment on a summer home in the Cayman Islands.

3. Well-meaning but incompetent agent wannabes. They have no verifiable experience in the publishing industry. They print up some biz cards with a email addy because they work out of their house. Publishing house editors are likely to chunk their submissions of your work into the garbage, unread.

A talented friend of mine wasted a year with type #3. As it turned out, it was time he didn't have to spare. Four months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, he died at age 45, unpublished.

I know what category of agent I'm going after. What about you?

Best,
Janice

Author: Janice W-D
Date:   11-05-09 15:08

They keep up with the market ... not us

Best,
Janice

Author: Dave S
Date:   11-05-09 21:34

I had a samll time agent with some sales, but minimal, ask for a full once. Never heard from him again.

Author: Chris Hagler
Date:   11-07-09 10:32

Thanks for the feedback guys.

This isn't the only agent with some of my materials, but right now she is the only one doing a full read.

Some of you made some really good points about being cautious, and I'm really taking every one of them to heart.

The only problem I have is that unless one of these "more established" agents will actually look at my MS, than
I don't have a whole lot of options.

I have begun to contact some agencies across the pond (U.K.), and one particular agent has requested some materials...she has even gone far enough to discuss with me what she has read thus far so it's promising.

Praying for the best. Thanks,

Chris

Author: Gary Kessler
Date:   11-07-09 22:05

Try not to forget that the only agent worse than no agent is a bad agent. Ties your manuscript up without doing any better for you than no agent--and possibly worse, if you start sending them money.

Author: Lindsay Cutler
Date:   12-05-09 08:25

This discussion is really interesting to me considering that I myself have a YA manuscript ready to send out. Where would you all suggest I start in finding a good YA agent? Chris, have you found any established ones?