Topic: Timing: moving on from agent and publisher

[anonymous]

I have a trilogy. I do not intend to stay with my agent or my publisher after this trilogy is done.  I am trying to figure out how to time this.

I have
-an option clause
-a non-compete clause
-ownership of certain rights

Should I wait to leave my agent until after it's all out in the world? (She still is selling some foreign rights). Or do I have to wait until after book III has come out and I'm all finished with anything related to the trilogy to leave agent/seek new publisher/look to the next series?

I do not plan to share any future material with this agent and even if the publisher has interest in whatever I do next, I don't plan to stay with them. It was a very terrible mistake going with them, it's very tied into my grievance with my agent, and I believe I would prefer to self-publish before staying with either party any longer.

I'd like to initiate this process of moving on as soon as possible, but not to the detriment of the current trilogy. So when can I start doing this? I would appreciate any wisdom you all have to offer. Thanks.

[literaticat]

It's hard to give advice without knowing a few specifics. Like, where are you in the trilogy? If you haven't even turned in book 1, you are in a lot different position than if books 1&2 are out and you are writing book 3, kind of a thing.

The option means they get the first crack at whatever you write next. It does NOT mean you have to sell it to them -- just that they get a look. If they offer, you can always say no. You'll have to look at your contract to see the specific wording, but usually it is 30-90 day window, that can begin either whenever, or perhaps can't start till after delivery or publication of the last ms in the series. You really will want to read this carefully, as every publisher/option clause is different.

The Non-compete probably means you can't put out books with the same characters, or books so similar as to be detrimental to this series, within a certain amount of time. This should also be spelled out in your contract. But it shouldn't  be a problem - after all, it is also hard to PROMOTE multiple books in the same genre coming out at the same time, you'd want to space them out just for your sanity I'd think! BUT AGAIN, read your contract carefully - maybe your non-compete is stricter than most.

There is no particular reason you can't fire your agent now, if you really dislike him/her so much. That would be up to you - do you want their input or help with the rest of this series, or not? From what you're saying here, it sounds like NOT. They'll continue to make $ off the royalties for this series that they sold and any subrights they sold, but unless  you have an extremely onerous agency agreement, any future books should be out of their purview. And whether or not you take your unsold subrights with you when you go would be a convo you'd need to have with the agent.

Of course it might be tough to get a NEW agent if you don't have new material yet. But it sounds like this is a terrible relationship, which is more damaging than having no agent at all, IMO.  

Good luck! And if you want more detailed advice, you can email or PM me privately.

[Joni]

Wow, Anon, hugs. It's hard for me to even imagine what must be making you so unhappy with BOTH of them, considering you're getting foreign rights sold, etc. If you'd ever give us a few more deets as an educational process/cautionary tale, I for one would appreciate it. Totally understand if you can't, though.

Good luck!

[LisaWrites]

If you'd ever give us a few more deets as an educational process/cautionary tale, I for one would appreciate it. Totally understand if you can't, though.

I second what Joni said. Sorry you're going through this!!
Lisa