Posted by REY on September 04, 2014 at 15:59:14:
Does a top agent guarantee success? Depends on what you mean by success. If success mean getting you a deal with a major publisher, the answer is probably yes. But does it mean a top agent can get you a deal if your book is less than stellar? Well, probably yes again. Take the case of the novel, "The Goldfinch," sold by top agent Amanda "Binky" Urban. Not only did she get author Donna Tartt a BIG deal, that big deal led to a Pulitzer - even though the book was panned by the critics. A big-time agent and a big-time advance from a big-tme publisher means everybody in the publishing food chain (which includes most of the reviewers) HAVE to fall in line and say the book is good (even though it wasn't). Such is the state of the agent/publishing business these days. More's the pity.