Sooooo...what do you PERSONALLY prefer...

[A Writer]

...in an agent?

Someone very hands-on who works closely with you through pre-submission edits?

Someone rather hands-off who gives you a few instructions and lets you do your thing?

Someone who packs your MS off to a third party in order to get "the best" editing possible before submission?

Would you rather have someone who spends a lot of time with you but has only moderate contacts/experience, or someone who spends very little time with you but has a lot of contacts/experience?

And why?

)

[Harper]

Lots of contacts/experience and as much time/attention as my project needs.

I equate time and attention with interest and enthusiasm.

But if I had to pick one, I'd pick the experience and contacts.

[Steve Thomas]

Now, please keep in mind, I'm a newbie at all this. Having just signed a contract with an agent in the last few days, I'm probably the last one who should respond to such questions.

As I stated in a previous post, my agent had me make quite a few revisions to the ms. It was quite difficult, especially since many of the changes weren't my ideas. I found it very tough (initially) to make these changes, not necessarily because I didn't see the need, but because it's difficult for me to incorporate ideas into my writing when they come from someone else. I'm confronted with..."but, but, but how am I going to make that work?" So, for me it was a fairly tough road...initially. Once I got the hang of it, however, the process became much easier. One of the hardest parts was resolving all the issues that can be created by one simple change. One tiny change, it seems, can necessitate quite a bit of re-writing through a various thread in the story.

I'm glad I stuck with it, though. It reads better, there's more suspense, better plot, etc. Again, I have to sing the praises of my agent. She was wonderful throughout the process...and still is!

Wow, I must've digressed.

All this to say: Yes, I definitely prefer someone who's hands-on.

Sorry for the long post.

Steve

[Kim Seinna]

I'd like an agent with experience and good contacts; but, one who will make a small patch of time to work with me, if needed. There's nothing worse than an agent who's too busy to email you and let you know what's going on.

[Jacob Kuhn]

I really am not concerned with having an agent to help me with editing in any way. I have a good sense of grammar and style, and editors I have worked with have said how easy my work is to edit.

I guess I would prefer someone who spends less time with me but has lots of contacts. Keep in mind I am new to the publishing world. I have never worked with an agent before and ended up getting my book accepted by a publisher on my own. I am confident in the quality of my work, so I would mostly like to have an agent who can get my book out there for the public to enjoy.