Mark Piggott in the Guardian

It was great to switch on the computer this morning and see a fantastic blog on the Guardian website by our own Mark Liam Piggott, author of the frankly unforgettable FIRE HORSES. Mark asks what is the point of literary agents - having had two and then found success without one. He raises some very interesting points and I can see the comments are already starting to a fascinating piece. Please read and leave your own view on the debate.

From our side we have a fantastic relationship with several agents who are great to work with, though we have signed several of our most successful books from authors agent-free (we always recommend that they check contracts etc with the Society of Authors). This is extra interesting when considering many publishers no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts.

While there is still a role for good agents, I completely agree that their position in the industry will change. Publishing itself will be undergoing a necessary sea-change and, one of the more traditional elements, the world of agenting will need to redefine its role to survive.

But enough serious chit-chat, it's a sunny Friday, and you need to buy Fire Horse now at a fantastic £2 off discount:

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Tom

Comments

[Nick]

I've just passed the Monster Munch bit and also thought "autobiographical?" (Mind you, I have actually killed a man with a dead penguin.) Back in the 80s - being a former MM addict - I believe there were two flavours: Beef (extremely addictive - now no longer!) and Pickled Onion (possibly also Cheese & Onion, which were sadly short-lived). I could imagine the Pickled Onion bag smarting, so hope he'd been eating Beef. A far superior choice on all levels.

[mark liam piggott]

Yes, crisp nostalgia, how apt... them wuz the daze.. bring a tear to my eye

[Josie]

I won’t if you won’t Mark! I get a lot of people asking me if Jackie is based on me, and my answer to that is ‘have I killed anyone lately? um no.’ I did wonder why Monster Munch because they were extra big bags, weren’t they? Maybe they’ve shrunk now like the Wagon Wheels, I’m going to spin off into some popandcrisps nostalgia, lol.

[mark liam piggott]

Try not to read autobiographical bits into it Josie. I use Salt 'n' Lineker's. Hence the kids.

[Josie]

Wait till I’m on Big Brother, Mark! Great blog on the big G and lots of comments there too, v interesting discussion on agents’ perceived usefulness. Just got back to the hotel from the book signing in Aberystwyth. Exhausted. But had to come here to say, um, Monster Munch?

[Josie]

I try not to let anything shock me Mark! And in the unlikely event that I am shocked, I tend to think of it as being my own silly fault for making assumptions rather than blaming the person who has shocked me. :-)

[mark liam piggott]

Hope you aren't too shocked by my novel, Josie! Looking forward to reading yours soon. That's my reason for getting an agent too - film and TV. I'm very happy with Legend Press don't worry... As to being a celeb - I thought you already were?

[Josie]

I’m taking Fire Horses with me on my mini-holiday in Aberystwyth this weekend. Looking forward to reading it! I got my contract with Legend without aid of an agent, but I am looking for an agent now. Not to find another publisher (heaven forfend!), but for film and TV adaptation. And then when I’m a celeb I will require an agent to deal with all the press queries. Phew it’s exhausting even making the stir I'm making with Silence. Can't imagine what it would be like to be a full-time celeb.