Is an agent useful or necessary for a first-time author?
I think having an agent is useful but not necessary for selling kids’ books in today’s climate. I didn’t seek out an agent. I thought no agent would want me until I had a bunch of proven sales. But I was wrong about that. She found me. And boy, do I adore her. I’m grateful for her support and finesse. I know my book would have sold without her. But I know it wouldn’t have sold so quickly and the experience wouldn’t have been so sweet for me. Having an agent gave me boatloads of confidence where I had none before. In those tough days while waiting to hear back from the editor, I kept telling myself, the agent loves the book, the agent is very smart and she knows the market, she wouldn’t have signed with me if she didn’t think it would sell, thererfore the book will sell and only needs to find the right editor, first. I grew up with a huge inferiority complex. I was the most insecure person I knew, unworthy of anything good. Impressing a smart agent with my work did more for me than eons
