Should I be surprised when a 'big-name' agent displays an unprofessional attitude?
Or should I shrug and say, Oh, well, they are human, too.
When agents post nasty comments, sometimes poking fun at their prospective clients, it smacks of hubris or the god-complex of the famous. Or getting a little too big for their britches, as my grandma would say.
At this stage I should not be surprised, I suppose, to see the snide comments made by some agents on their blogs or in a workshop. We all post things, say things, that we wish to heaven we could take back, and as the proverb says, if you keep your mouth shut, you won't put your foot in it.
Discretion, in all things, I suppose is the better road, because once it is said, you can't unring that bell.
I will not name any particular agent. To do so would be to stir the pot and create more of what I feel is wrong-headed, namely a case of the nasties. And I prefer to assume they were immediately sorry and fervently wish they could take it all back.
One agent comes to mind, however, who seems polite and gentlemanly at all times. He doesn't represent my genre - I forgive this transgression - but to the best of my knowledge is always unfailingly kind in all postings, blogs, and workshops. No names here either, but his name begins with an 'N' and ends with a Bransford.
He seems like a nice guy all around - well, except for the genre preference. *Grin*
I think agents get jaded because they see the same problems all the time. They use their blogs to vent like we use ours to complain. Unfortunately, sometimes it comes off as mean-spirited. There is one I follow. Sometimes I like her, but other times...
ReplyDeleteAh but...
ReplyDeleteProfessionalism is the same whether it is coming from the agent's side, the publisher, or the author. It is all the same animal.
I can agree that we all need to vent. Ranting is my second best solution to rejection. Right after chocolate.
But I do it in private.
Not in view of the public.
Er, uh, well...most of the time.