Breaking up in any relationship is hard to do. A writer breaking up with an agent is definitely difficult.

Recently, I parted ways with my agent. At first I thought I wouldn’t talk about it but now that some time has passed, I figured a blog post might help other writers who may be in a similar situation.

Parting ways with my former agent wasn’t easy and it was a decision that I made after deep contemplation. The relationship ended with no hard feelings. We were not a good match.

You can definitely help the situation with research to make sure that potential agents are a good fit. Casey at Literary Rambles has a great post with links about what you can ask a potential agent.

But sometimes even with all of the research and validation, you may find yourself in a mismatch. And sometimes you have to be in the client/agent relationship to realize it.

So what do you do when you have an agent but it’s no longer working? Here are some of the things I did in my own situation:

Talk it Out. Agents are just like regular people so they are not mind-readers. Communicate with your agent to clarify what isn’t working and see if you can fix it before jumping to conclusions.

Be Professional. The relationship with your agent is a business relationship. You must act accordingly. This is not the time for the “blame game” or playing the victim. State the issues in a calm and clear manner.

Play by the Rules. If you have a contract, make sure to review the stipulations of terminating the relationship with your agent. Make sure that you understand the steps you need to take. Don’t query other agents until the termination is completed.

Put it in Writing. Make sure you have a record of the termination. Send the agent a certified letter or an e-mail so that you have the correspondence later if needed.

Remember the Small Industry. The last thing you need to do is slander your former agent. You never know what kind of contacts he/she may have. End the relationship with grace so you’re not labeled a “difficult” writer. Publishing is a small world.

As for my own situation, my current focus is getting my novel in the best shape it can be. Researching and querying new agents is a low priority on my list at this time.

But here’s the thing: I know that if I found a reputable agent in the past, I can find another one in the future. An agent better suited for me and my work. And in the end, this may have all been a blessing in disguise.

You want an agent who is passionate about your work and wants to be a partner in your career as a novelist.

Remember an agent works for you. If something is not working, acknowledge it.

Don’t be afraid to end a relationship that is not in your best interest.