Breaking Up with Your Literary Agent: How and When to Change Agents

In traditional publishing, your literary agent is your most important partner. The right agent can help you polish your manuscript, pitch your book to editors, secure a lucrative publishing deal, and navigate the murky waters of the industry.

But what happens when an author finds their relationship with their agent isn't working out? How do you know when to get a new agent, and how can you do it respectfully and professionally? In this post, we'll explore how to recognize the signs that it's time to find new representation and offer tips on navigating the end of your author-agent relationship.

When might you need a new agent?

A successful author-agent relationship is built on trust, effective communication, and a shared vision for the author's work. However, sometimes, the relationship may deteriorate, hindering the author's progress and overall satisfaction. Here are some key signs to look out for:

Lack of communication or unresponsiveness: Effective communication is the foundation of a productive author-agent partnership. If your agent consistently fails to respond to your emails, calls, or requests for updates, it can be a sign of a breakdown in the relationship. Communication gaps can lead to missed opportunities, delayed submissions, and frustration.

Misalignment of goals or vision for the author's work: Authors and agents need to agree on their goals and vision for the author's work. If your agent's vision for your career differs significantly from yours, it can create a disconnect and hinder your creative and professional development. It's essential to have an agent who understands and supports your creative aspirations.

Inadequate support or representation: An agent's primary role is to advocate for you and sell your books in the industry. If you feel your agent is not actively pitching your work to editors, securing deals, or providing support and guidance, it may be a sign that the relationship is no longer beneficial. A lack of proactive representation can hinder your chances of success and limit your growth as an author.

Unethical or unprofessional behavior: Trust and professionalism are fundamental to any working relationship. If you have concerns about your agent's ethical practices or if they engage in unprofessional behavior, such as breach of contract, conflicts of interest, or dishonesty, it's a serious cause for reconsideration. Maintaining integrity and ethical conduct is essential for a healthy and successful author-agent relationship.

Remember, it's important to assess the overall pattern and impact of these signs on your writing career. One instance of miscommunication or a disagreement may not warrant ending the relationship. Also, if your agent is open to hearing your feedback and will work with you to make the relationship better, then consider waiting a bit before jumping ships. However, if these signs persist and significantly hinder your progress, it may be time to reevaluate the partnership and consider other options.

How to break up with your literary agent

Communicate your decision

When it's time to have "the talk" with your literary agent, approaching the conversation with professionalism and clarity is key. Start by scheduling a meeting or phone call with your agent to discuss the state of your author-agent relationship. Begin the conversation positively by expressing gratitude and acknowledging the achievements you have shared. Let your agent know you value their efforts in representing you. Then, clearly state the reasons for your decision to end the relationship. Be honest about the issues you've noticed, such as communication gaps, misalignment of goals, or inadequate support. It's also essential to maintain professionalism throughout the conversation and avoid personal attacks. Focus on the professional aspects that have led to your decision rather than making it personal.

Managing the transition and protecting your author career

Once you've talked to your agent about terminating the relationship, the next step is discussing the termination process and any ongoing obligations with them. Discuss how you will handle the transition, including wrapping up any pending projects or submissions. This will help ensure you're both on the same page and can proceed smoothly.

Next, address any contractual agreements or legal considerations that may be in place. Make sure you've reviewed your contract carefully and have identified any clauses related to termination or representation. Keep in mind that the agent will typically still be entitled to all future commissions on the projects they sold. Sometimes, if you have a publishing deal pending, your agent may still be entitled to commissions if they negotiated the basic terms with the publisher before you terminated your relationship. Understand your rights and obligations, and if necessary, consult with a legal professional to ensure you're taking the appropriate steps.

It's also important to establish a timeline for the transition to alternative representation. Consider how long you'll need to search for another agent and make the necessary arrangements. This will help you maintain momentum in your writing career and minimize any disruptions caused by the change.

However, do not start looking for another agent until you've talked to your current agent about ending the relationship. Not only is searching for a new agent before you've spoken with your current one unprofessional, but it fosters distrust in both your current agent and potential future one. Remember, managing the transition requires clear communication and organization. Keep records of your discussions and agreements with your current agent, and maintain professionalism throughout the process.

Learn from the experience

As hard as it might be, parting ways with your previous literary agent can be a valuable learning experience that helps you grow as an author. Take this time to reflect on the lessons you've learned from your relationship with your agent and consider what worked well and what didn't. Consider what you're looking for in a new agent and what you'd like to be different in this new partnership. Are you looking for someone with strong communication skills? Someone who shares your creative vision? Once you understand what you're looking for in an agent, it'll help guide your search and increase the likelihood of finding the right match. Remember to adjust your strategies and approaches based on what you've learned. This could mean tweaking your query letters and pitches to find the right fit or discussing communication styles before entering an official author-agent relationship.

Seeking a new literary agent

Finding a new agent is almost exactly the same process as seeking your first one. Once you're ready to move forward, start by evaluating and researching potential agents who align with your writing genre and career goals. Look for agents who have a track record of representing authors in your niche and who demonstrate enthusiasm for the type of work you produce. Craft a compelling query letter or pitch that showcases your writing and captures the attention of potential agents. Follow their submission guidelines carefully and keep track of the agents you've contacted.

As you receive responses and potential offers of representation, conduct interviews with the agent(s) to get to know them better. This is your chance to ask questions about their approach, their vision for your work, their communication style, and anything you learned that's important to you from reflecting on your previous experience. Assess their compatibility with your needs and ensure their values align with yours. If you do this early on, you can avoid terminating another author-agent relationship due to misalignment.

The importance of maintaining professional relationships

Even though you may part ways, maintaining a respectful and professional manner can help preserve your reputation and minimize any negative fallout. The publishing world is an interconnected community. Your actions and behavior during transitioning from one agent to another can leave a lasting impression. Remember, the agent will likely still be collecting commissions on the books they sold for you, so you could be working with them for quite some time. Keeping things professional during the breakup phase will help you maintain a good working relationship for anything that comes up for those past books.

You're ready to query…again!

Changing agents is never easy. It involves acknowledging the challenges and recognizing when a partnership is no longer serving your best interests. But it's important to remember that this difficult decision can lead to new growth and opportunities in your career. By ending a relationship that is no longer working, you open yourself up to the possibility of finding a new agent who aligns with your goals and provides the support you need. Prioritizing your own aspirations and seeking supportive representation can be transformative for your writing journey. For more tips on finding the right literary agents, check out the Sell Your Novel to a Major Publisher course inside Writing Mastery Academy!