The value of an agent

The Rejecter responded to a question from someone looking for a way to publish without having an agent, and the comments sparked a couple remarks about the value of agents and why (and whether) they're worth their 15%. Yeah, I suppose it kind of sucks sometimes to think that if you're going to get $10,000 for your book, you're only going to see $8,500 of that--not counting taxes. But I have to say, even as an unpublished author, I think it's more than worth it.

I wouldn't want to try to get published on my own. I don't like the idea of trying to find my way around the industry alone. I wouldn't want to try to decipher a contract or look at a royalty statement or plan my career without the help of someone who actually knows what they're talking about. I want someone there who can answer my questions, give me feedback on an idea before I write the book, give me advice from the perspective of someone in the industry. I want someone there whose job it is to guide me through, to know what has to be done and to do it, because they know how to.

I want someone who's going to help me out. Who knows what to look for in a contract and knows the ways publishing companies try to gear the contracts toward their own interests more than the writers' interests. Because, let's face it, this is a business and people are in it to make the most for themselves--even those legit publishers, the big guys, want to get the best bang for their buck and that's not always in the writer's best interest. An agent knows that.

An agent has the contacts. Knows what the book might be worth. Knows how to play the game. And, though this is coming from someone who hasn't even dealt with an agent, I'd much prefer to have someone who knows who to talk to and how to get things done in my corner, even if it means paying 15%. Gladly.