[PubQ] Fire my agent?
Using a throwaway, just in case!
TL;DR: Not sure if I am supported by my agent, but she's good at selling my books (literary fiction).
I've been feeling a lot of heartache about my agent lately. My agent sold my first book to a top imprint at a Big 5 for low six figures. That book was a mixed bag of support from my publisher. My publicist missed big things—the book wasn't reviewed in two of the four trades, for example, and when I brought this up to my agent, she demurred and didn't pursue it.
Ultimately, the book's successes were a result of a shit ton of hustling on my part: a 10-stop book tour (that I got fully funded), placement on an end-of-the-year best-of list by a national publication, shortlisted for one book award, longlisted for another.
In the meantime, my agent sold my second book on an option for low sixes again, and while I was working on it, was editorial in a way where I felt, for the first time, that our editorial visions were no longer aligning. It got to the point where I was dreading sending it to her. That being said, I've also been submitting the manuscript to grants/awards, and it's been a finalist for one. The book doesn't come out for another 18 months or so.
In the downtime between edits, I've started my third manuscript, and, while I love where it's going, am certain it doesn't fit into my agent's current roster of books.
Which brings me back to my question: I'm no longer sure that my agent and I are a good fit. That being said, she's sold two of my books for a good amount of money. Should I just hold my nose and be thankful? I've been trying to draft questions for a conversation I need to have with her (still unsure of how that should go. Possibly along the lines of: You've been integral to my career. Moving forward I need XYZ from you. Is that possible?)
I am probably too ambitious, but I think my books aren't terrible. The agents that I wish I could be represented by—think Renée Zuckerbrot, Meredith Kaffel Simonoff, Rob McQuilkin, Bill Clegg, etc.—are too busy representing Pulitzer Prize winners to be bothered by my query (weep).