Can I represent my client after providing editing services?

Enjoyed working with your Reedsy author? Thinking of representing them as a literary agent?

Over the years, we've received emails from editor-agents from our community asking about representing their Reedsy author after providing editorial services. While we believed this was unethical, the Association of American Literary Agents has addressed this issue with a recent update to its Canon of Ethics. Going forward, when an agent decides to represent their editorial clients, all editorial fees charged must be returned.

Additionally, here are some ground rules to keep in mind when providing editorial services as an agent:

The author in question cannot be a pre-existing client;
The author reached out specifically for editorial services;
It is made clear that editorial services offered do not indicate representation of the author as an agent;
You have shown the author a copy of paragraph 8 of the AALA Canon of Ethics; and
The author understands that if you are ever interested in offering agent representation, you must return all payments for editorial services rendered and waive all future editorial payments in full before submitting the work.

If you have any questions, please refer to the AALA Canon of Ethics website.

Updated on: 10/03/2022