Authors, you deserve an agent who… Replies to your emails …

Reads your manuscripts, revisions, outlines, and other materials in a timely fashion, provides an EDA when needed, and lets you know if a delay occurs.
(2/13)

Communicates in a way that works for YOU, be that email, texting, or phone, and is open FROM THE CALL STAGE about any forms of communication they are unable or unwilling to use.
(3/13)

Understands and respects YOUR publishing goals, and is upfront and honest about how realistic they are.
(4/13)

Respects your decision to turn down any offer, for any reason, and to hold out for YOUR minimum requirements for taking an offer.
(5/13)

Forwards ALL rejections if you ask for all rejections, and forwards NONE if you ask for none. The agent does not get to dictate which will hurt you more.
(6/13)

Asks for your input on the sub list and IMMEDIATELY REMOVES any publishers you are not enthusiastic about (after a conversation about why the agent wants to include them if necessary).
(7/13)

Provides editorial advice or brainstorming when needed and admits when they are no longer able to see a concrete editorial path or publication path for a specific MS.
(8/13)

Calls you by the name you call yourself and asks if you mind if they want to call you something else. Respects you if you say no.
(9/13)

Sets up phone calls with the editors who make offers on your book if you request it—especially if you have multiple offers.
(10/13)

Does their best not to give you false hope. (This is a tough one… I know agents are hoping for good deals too and this likely isn’t intentional.)
(11/13)

Tells you as soon as they know they do not want to rep a new project, so you can decide whether to find a new agent or change gears.
(12/13)

Parts ways clearly and in writing as soon as they know they no longer want to work with you. It’s tough to end a relationship, even a professional one. But letting a bad one drag out hurts more.
(13/13, see note below)

Authors, please feel free to add to this if you like. I never actually got past the “getting an offer” phase to the “signing a publishing contract” phase, but I’m sure there are things beyond that too. ❤️

(Please note that these are based on my experience with multiple agents and other experiences I have heard about and do not refer to any one specific agent.)