The key factor is whether the agent is a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives, which screens its members and requires them to uphold a Canon of Ethics.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I identify as an agent when I'm agenting, and I identify as an author when I'm writing. I expect both those things to be true for as long as I'm able to do them.
Agents are essential, because publishers will not read unsolicited manuscripts.
Agents are deal makers, and they're really, really good at making deals. But they're also exceptionally helpful after the deal is made - agents act as a good intermediary between authors and publishers whenever disagreements come up.
Publishers, editors, agents all have one thing in common, aside from their love of cocktail parties. It's an incredible taste and an ability to find and nurture authors.
Having a literary agent makes a huge difference in submitting work. My agent has access and tremendous passion.
I didn't have any agent; I've never had an agent.
It's important to have the right agent - people that are working hard for you. But an actor needs to be in control of their career no matter how good the representation is.
An agent is a person who is sore because an actor gets 90% of what they make.
The reason actors, artists, writers have agents is because we'll do it for nothing. That's a basic fact - you gotta do it.
It's all a matter of how agents want to handle their clients.