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Quick thread on agent relationships for anyone who has not had a professional relationship before. When you get an agent, you must be treated (and treat them) with professional respect - which is very different than simple respect.
"Respect": I see you're human, so I'll always try to apologize and learn from missteps in our relationship. "Professional Respect": your time is as valuable as mine. To preserve our professional relationship, missteps will be met with reparations to prevent bad experiences.
The professional respect in an agent-author relationship goes both ways, but so many authors feel like THEY have to professionally respect their agent while their agent simply has to respect them. That is not the case.
On the other side of the coin, that power imbalance can keep many authors from making good professional decisions. For example, letting issues in your relationship build up without any formal communication.
That's what happens when you professionally respect your agent, but don't see yourself as an equal. "Your problems are unworthy." Because of that, instead of a direct and open discussion you'll burn a bridge.
So, keep in mind at all times - you have a professional relationship with your agent, your editor, whomever. Of course you can be personable (I am a hick from North Carolina I'm gon always be myself).
But some personable "quirks" (like ignoring emails when you feel overwhelmed) should be treated just like you'd treat it in an office of employment. "I must do it anyway, because that's my job." /end
JK not done - I just wanted to also add that the whole point of this thread was to say don't take shit like broken promises from agents just because you're happy you've got an agent. Even if you're their newest client, you still deserve to be treated with professional respect.
