Michael Miller has an interesting piece on the unpredictable world of publishing in the latest issue of Time Out New York. Most fascinating was this quote from Ira Silverberg, an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic about the role of agents in the publishing chain: "We are the first line of defense--we keep it safe to read in America, because most of the stuff that people write is shit."

Really? Is that the attitude most agents come to the table with?

I had to ask around and received this from Merrilee Heifetz, Senior Vice President of Writers House: "Another way to view agents is that more of what new writers present is of interest to very few other folks. Our job is to find and develop the books that have the potential to reach a broad audience. Of course, everyone thinks their book is a potential bestseller... which is why publishers need us."

I find that a much easier statement to swallow.