Do You Need A Literary Agent?

How about you? Do you need a literary agent? Years ago I was convinced I needed an agent for my writing projects, but I’m not so sure now. Why? Well, two reasons: the more of their blogs and websites I’ve read, the more they've convinced me they loathe writers – especially those of the unpublished kind. It's clear from what most of them say - with their own horses’ mouths - that their own importance, (sprouting mainly from the title of their job) is of utmost importance to them. Secondly, without a literary agent I managed to find a great publisher for my first book (it took me years - mind); and I've just signed another contract to publish a second book of a different genre. 

Now, not all literary agents fall into this category. There are some brilliant, loyal, hard-working ones out there. I've just been unlucky with literary agents, that's all.
If I could sum up in two sentences, the essence of their (agents I've been unlucky to come across) between-the-lines message to new writers, it would be this: 

Our hands are too holy to touch you, our ears – to distant to hear.

Let someone else saddle your struggles, my own worth to me is too dear.

The agents’ blogs I’ve read speak to me from a detached distance, far above my measly-writer-head. If you don’t get that feeling, please let me know. I’ve read the blog of only one agent, who doesn’t feel that the title of his job has magically required him to sit at the zenith of my lowly existence.

I have agents for my TV and modelling work. They seek me out. They’re the ones who pick up the phone, pay for the call, and offer me projects. For them, I’m a valued part of their business, an living asset whose work makes them fifteen to twenty percent profit each time I get paid.
They don't start from the premise that I have no talent. After all, at the point of joining their agency, they had to take a chance on me.

(If you change your mind, I’m the first in line. Baby I’m still free, take a chance on me. If you need me let me know . . . Sorry, I couldn’t resist injecting a little Abba there.)

Why then, do literary agents operate from this distance? Why is the writer guilty of non-talent before he/she is given a platform on which to prove this supposition right? Why do literary agents in general, act as though the new writer is the enemy – the blight to avoid at all cost? This puzzles me. And as yet, I cannot answer any these questions.

(Gonna be around. Got no place to go . . .)

Have you got a literary agent who doesn't sound remotely like the ones I've just described? Please let me know in the comment section.

What are my recycled items used for

Have you joined the movement yet? Do you know where the items you recycle go and what they’re used for?

Mobile phones

Many people change their mobile phones every year. Don’t just knock them around in drawers at home. Get them to a proper mobile phone recycling unit. Sometimes you can be paid for handing over your old phones, but even if you don’t, Oxfam and Action Aid will take them off your hands and see that they’re put to good use.


What are they used for


Mobile phones can become other phones or can be turned into semi-precious stones. The plastic outside the phone can be re-used for various plastic toys and other household plastic items.

Computers

Don’t dump your old computers. Get rid of them responsibly. In some areas local councils will even pick them up for free. Hundreds of thousands of computers go to our landfills each year. How can we possibly store them all when families sometimes have several in one home?





What are they used for


Companies like Computer Aid works on old computers and refurbishes them before sending them off to developing countries. This is a good deed done on your behalf.


Your recycled computers are sometimes also reused for making circuit boards.


Plastic bottles

Rinse your plastic bottles and take them to a recycling unit for responsible recycling. Manufacturing plastic means we’re using up more and more of our ever decreasing store of fossil fuel. Stripping our world bare of fossil fuel is not good news for future generations where renewable energy is concerned.


What are they used for

They’re made into garden furniture and a wide range of other plastic bottles. They’re also used to make fleeces and bags.


Clothes

If you can’t hand down your clothes to younger members of your extended family, donate them to charity shops. If you think your clothes are not in good condition to pass on, take them to a clothes recycling unit near you.


What are they used for


Old clothes are used to make dusters, mops, and padding for cushions. They’re also reprocessed to make new thread. The better garments are sent to poorer countries and distributed to people who have none.


Glass jars and bottles

Clean these out and if possible, remove paper labels, tops and corks and leave out to be picked up by your local council.


What are they used for
They’re made into new bottles and jars, but also processed into sand for golf bunkers. When you recycle one glass bottle, you’ve saved 15-20 minutes of energy for your computer.






Cardboard

Rotting cardboard in landfill sites have a negative impact on our environment because they produce methane gas into our air. This is easily recyclable, as your paper/cardboard gets picked up by the local council on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

What are they used for

More paper, cardboard, newspaper, tissues, toilet roll, books and kids toys.

If you haven't started yet. Join the movement and help save our planet. It doesn't cost anything but a minute of your time.