What does it mean when an author is classified as “high maintenance” by an agent or a publisher? The more I think about the question, the more I realize how difficult it is to quantify. Any attempt to do so is fraught with potential misunderstanding because most people are looking for specific rules to follow (“Do this, or else”).
Normally, “high maintenance” is a description of someone who is difficult to work with or is constantly in need of attention. It can be anyone from a “diva” to a “rookie” to a “veteran.” The best way to express the issue is in the following word picture:
When you contract with an agent or a publisher, you are granted a large measure of “good will” in the form of a bag of gold coins. You are free to spend these coins however you wish during the course of the business relationship.
The cover design is completely wrong? Spend some coins. The marketing plan appears weak. Spend some coins. And as time goes by and positive things happen, you receive more gold coins for your bag.
However, many authors make the mistake of spending their entire bag of coins the first time something goes wrong. And then the next time they need a favor or a special dispensation there isn’t any “good will” left.
I think there are three areas where these relationships can break down.
Unreasonable Demands/Expectations
Remember that publishing is a business and should be treated professionally. Each author comes into the business with their own understanding of the industry and therefore with their own set of expectations.
- Expecting your agent to answer their phone at 10 am on a Sunday morning is unreasonable. (Hopefully, your agent is at church!)
- Expecting your publisher to fly you, at their cost, to Germany to research your next novel is unreasonable.
- Demanding that your agent drop everything to read your sample chapters and respond–in the next hour–is unreasonable.
- Arriving unannounced at a bookseller convention and expecting your book will be displayed in the publisher’s booth (even though the book is not a new release) and then yelling at everyone for disrespecting you is unreasonable. (No gold coins for you.)
Each of the above examples are actual demands and expectations that have happened. Lest you misunderstand, it is okay to ask; but don’t expect a yes to every demand you make and then be petulant when you don’t get what you want.
Unreasonable Behavior
- Going ballistic and screaming on the phone at an editor about your manuscript edits is unreasonable behavior.
- Sending a barrage of emails to your editor every day is unreasonable behavior.
- Shouting angrily at an editor and declaring that he is obviously not a Christian because the art department created a weak book cover is unreasonable behavior.
- Asking your agent to lie for you with your publisher is unreasonable behavior.
You get the picture? Each of the above examples are actual situations I have personally experienced, either as an editor or an agent. Every agent and editor in the business has shocking stories of unreasonable authors. Please note, they are the exception–and that is why they are memorable. Ninety-nine percent of the time everything is peachy. Okay, 97% of the time.
Don’t Become a B.E.N.
When Karen Ball worked for our agency, she asked that her clients not become a Black-hole of Emotional Need (what I call B.E.N.). This is a delicate area to navigate because a writer’s life is full of disappointments and frustration. Your agent should be a safe place where you can vent. But too much drama can become a challenge for any relationship.
Becoming overwrought over every issue and constant complaining can be draining to all those with whom you do business. As with all things, use discretion and lots of communication to make sure any lines are not crossed. I addressed some of this in the post “Never Burn a Bridge.”
I’ve heard it said that if you aren’t demanding and in the face of your publisher or agent, they will stop paying attention to you. Sort of like saying, “The pushy bird gets the worm.” There may be a measure of truth to that. However, I can also say, “The pushy bird gets the boot.” I’ve been in meetings or on conference calls where the publisher says it is no longer worth the expense of time and emotional energy to continue working with a particular writer. Let me simply implore you, “Don’t be that author!”
Coin Collecting
To counter those times where you must spend your good-will coins to get something fixed, there are some things you can do.
- Remember to say thank you when a job is well done. Everyone enjoys being appreciated.
- Remember to always speak with grace in your email communication. Email can sap the pleasant tones out of what’s written; you will always sound stern. (I am guilty of this.) If you’ve got a tough letter to write your publisher, run it by your agent first to make sure you are not out of line.
- Try to avoid personal pronouns when writing your publisher if you can. Not “you messed up”; instead, “the team failed to get this done right.” Avoid putting people who work with you on the defensive. They are your in-house advocates. Without them on your side, nothing will get done.
- Be reasonable with your expectations. And if unsure, ask your agent if something is normal or not.
By the way, I know what some of you are thinking. “Steve is writing about me!” Let me assure you, I’m not. It seems that each time I write a post like this one, a client or a person in the industry writes and says, “I hope you weren’t writing about me!” I might answer with “feeling guilty about something?” 🙂
[An earlier version of this post ran in June 2012. This version has been thoroughly revised and updated.]
Fun Fridays – November 13, 2020
Steve, thank you for sharing your coin with us. I’m sharing this post with my clients. When I acquire an agent, I hope to be one that brings a smile. May God continue to bless the work of your hands.
Steve, my memory may be failing (everything else is) but after the appearance of the original post (2012) wasn’t there another one that described what authors expect from their agent? If not, there should be. But thanks for sharing this again.
Richard,
There may have been. But with over 2,400 posts on the site… the search can be “interesting” to say the least.
This is why we are going into the archives and bringing back some of our best content. The posts get buried over time but the information is still quite relevant!
Do we really want a post called “When Agents Behave Badly”? LOL!
Good reminder! I find it amazing how often perfectly ordinary folks that are respectful and kind in person will grow vampire fangs when communicating online. I imagine that the distance a phone call or email creates allows for some of the same lack of thoughtfulness. People forget that there is another person, just as beloved by God, at the other end of their argument. Thank you for reminding us not to just be passionate and focused, but to also be kind and gracious!
This post could be subtitled “Manners 101.” It’s unbelievable that people actually act this way and think it’s normal and acceptable. You must be a very patient person. Anyway, thanks for a well-written post.
Like, DUDE!
Some people are high-maintenance,
but the opposiate can be aggrieving,
those who are so non-intense,
so laid-back they might not be breathing.
It really seems that they should be
somewhere out beyond the break,
waiting until Mother Sea
sends the perfect wave to take
and ride with joy, hanging ten
unto the smiling golden shore
which, of coure, is clearly when
they’ll paddle out for just one more,
and they never, ever look
like they can read, less write a book.
High maintenance people make me cringe. To me, it’s all about respect and listening and adhering to the advice of those who are looking out for my best interests.
Steve,
This is so good.
You know, in my own book, the main characters have a blog for their church and their pastor came up with a motto for how they are to reply to comments. It was called A.R.P.P.
“Always reply, personally and prayerfully”.
It kind of reminds me of that when I am to (one day) respond to emails from my agent and editor. Have a great week! 🙂
This is great advice — for authors and everybody else in the world. Thank you!
Can’t imagine having to deal with people who would act as you’ve described, especially in the Christian market. I pray my future agent will find me a joy to work with!
Steve, I’m not high maintenance and would love the opportunity to prove it!
You’re talking about me, aren’t you?
Yes, Bob. It is always about you.
I love posts like this, if for no other reason than to shake my head at how some adults act like my 8-year-old sister and think the world is about them. It makes for a good chuckle.
The tips are good too. Especially about how one sounds in emails and running that by an agent.
Steve,
I noticed a sign in an office that goes along with the “Collecting Coins” part. The sign said, “Be Kinder Than Necessary”.
Your post reminds me that although a writer works in isolation, eventually the project becomes a team effort. Misunderstandings and mistakes happen, even with the best people. That’s when it becomes important to be kinder than necessary.
Great Post, Steve. Everyone of the posts I’ve read has been “Spot On”. I’ve been a subscriber for about two months.
Although I just recently turned 70, I have noticed that I am much more “High Maintenance ” than I was 20 years ago.
Back in late Summer I was at the supermarket and had tried to use the Self-Service Check-Out Machines. I asked for help a couple of times and was increasingly becoming more and more frustrated.
Finally, I jumped up and down and loudly intoned, “Stop treating me like I’m a five year old.” Noticing that I was getting an audience, I stopped jumping, and smiled and stated, “I’m at least 10 years old!”
I picked up my bag, paid my bill and walked out of the store.
I was in a grocery store parking lot recently and saw a lady was screaming at a woman who accidently scratched her car. I felt sorry for the woman being yelled at but she handled it very calmly and later drove away. I admire people who respond to tough situations with calm and quiet attitude, it shows maturity and wisdom . . . and that’s the kind of person I want to be.
Regarding the point about “personal pronouns”, I’d suggest also learning about “I” statements. That is, “I don’t feel comfortable when you …”, not “you need to stop doing …”. You still have to be careful to avoid being passive aggressive, but overall it makes it easier to avoid placing blame and is just a good rule for communication in general.
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