iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

But they don't tell the author they are mediators. I really think you should read it again. I don't respond again until you do. I wrote carefully and so far, each one of your comments could have been answered with a closer reading.

211

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I've never seen an agency situation in which the literary agent did not negotiate the contract.

241

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I just pulled out a few agency agreements from my own history. One is with a major agency. Nothing like that. In fact, the opposite. The agent promises to negotiate in good faith on the writer's behalf. There are lawyers on that staff.

221

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I am a little confused here. Are you saying an agent can give a writer a contract which allows the agent to act as a mediator against the writer's interest? Can you imagine a lawyer giving a client a contract like that, particularly if the client couldn't be expected to understand it?

210

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Given the power imbalance in the relationship, I really can't imagine that holding up. "I told her I'm her 'agent' but the fine print says I don't have to act in her best interests.'"

110

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Read it again. The unauthorized practice accusation was directed against agents who are not lawyers. Lawyers still have potential conflicts of interest built into the system.

010

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Actually, see the problem. I am talking about major commercial publishing houses in the U.S, not niche publishers and not other countries. Major commercial US publishers have an "agent only" policy. I have always gotten around it, so it isn't ironclad, but it's the stated policy.

000

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I tried that, but it didn't work. On the other hand, I'm a website dork.

030

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Found one. The agreement required the author to wait 1 year before going elsewhere. A lawyer can be fired anytime for any reason. Suppose the agent gives up after 3 months, which I've seen. If you sell it yourself, the agent still gets commission?

061

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

It's been a long time since I helped anyone out of a bad agency agreement so I don't remember the details, but I've never heard of someone saying "help! I want to fire my lawyer but I can't." I was helping writers who wanted to fire their agents but were stuck because of what they signed.

250

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Right, fee retainer agreements are one thing. But what if a lawyer tried to restrict what a client could do?

100

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I'm only half joking. I see you write fiction. Are you still practicing law? (I didn't see a way to DM you. I have a contact button on my website)

120

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

We should write a book about this LOL, you know, to balance out all the "here is how to land a literary agent" books. I mentioned elsewhere that I have helped writers get out of bad agency agreement.

120

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I have helped writers get out of bad agency agreements, so I know about this.

1160

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

As long as I am on the topic, here's another issue: Agencies have authors sign agreements, and those agreements benefit the agency. See the problem? What if your lawyer gave you a contract to sign and the contract benefitted the lawyer? Isn't the lawyer supposed to watch out for your interests?

2399

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

An editor may say, "Agented authors only," but an editor who has signed with an author who will not speak directly to the author has an issue. I have often sensed the unspoken assumption that authors are temperamental babies and need someone to speak for them. Rubbish.

080

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

It's a myth that you don't need an agent. I'd argue that building your own platform is less aggravation than working with agents, and probably takes the same amount of time. If you do work through an agent, don't use your agent as a filter. Once you have an editor, talk directly to the editor.

191

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

. . . the structural problem. Ideally they can become aware of their limitations and, when a legal issue arises (as they often will in contractual relationships) they do NOT act as mediators, and instead, advise the writer to consult with a lawyer.

160

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

On another site someone told me that I am, in fact, indicting agents. But if I am setting this up as a structural problem, and the structure was created by the publisher, the agent is just in the middle. Also agents are not trained as lawyers so they are not likely to understand . . . 1/

1195

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I suppose writing about the problems with the traditional publishing industry isn't that far from what I've been writing about: The digital disruption and how it is making it difficult for the public to get good information. I have been disheartened by what I've seen lately in trad publishing.

1157

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Anyway, adding another. thought. Hollywood writers ended up getting agents regulated. I suppose the remedy for authors is for the slush-reading to move in-house to the publishing industry. Then it's clear who works for whom.

071

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I heard an editor once say that the power an agent has is the number of big writers on their list. But really, the agent's power is borrowed. It's the writer with the power.

1120

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

About 10 years ago, I was spending time on a writers board. One of my fond memories was getting banned after suggesting that people read what @kristinerusch.bsky.social had to say about agents. I ended helping about a half dozen writers get out of bad agency agreements. So it can be done.

192

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

This is actually how it happened in Hollywood. I'd have to look up the details, but I'm pretty sure that after writers realized agents were not serving their interests, big names all threatened en mass to fire their agents. It becomes a legal issue because agents have contracts . . ..

281

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

That has sort of been done through Indie publishing, right?

100

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I usually post stuff on Saturdays (when I have something) and I did this yesterday, so, here it is again. Ready for a legal breakdown of the literary agent model? Warning: The rebel in me may be coming out. terikanefield.com/traditional-... The warnings . . . 1/

terikanefield.com

"Let Every Eye Negotiate for Itself": A Legal Breakdown of the Literary Agent Model - Teri Kanefield

Ideally, traditional publishers—like librarians—should act as guardians of the culture, but, well . . . 🤷 Ready for a legal breakdown of the literary agent model? Along the way, I’ll offer a personal ...

3274

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

About corporate memory: Two editors from two different divisions of that publishing house subsequently contacted me about work. So, there is no corporate memory Besides, that probably wasn't an incident publishing folks wanted to to remember or talk about.

110

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

That is why when the situation arose, a person needed a lawyer, not a literary agent. An hour consult with a lawyer would be worth getting 15K

100

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Along the way, I’ll offer a personal publishing horror story and advice to writers considering traditional publishing. Me: Why write something that will make lots of people angry? Also me: But this is what I’m thinking about. terikanefield.com/traditional-... 2/

terikanefield.com

"Let Every Eye Negotiate for Itself": A Legal Breakdown of the Literary Agent Model - Teri Kanefield

Ideally, traditional publishers—like librarians—should act as guardians of the culture, but, well . . . 🤷 Ready for a legal breakdown of the literary agent model? Me: Why write something that will mak...

272

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Ideally, the traditional publishing industry—like librarians—should act as guardians of the culture, but, well . . . 🤷 Ready for a legal breakdown of the literary agent model? Warning: The rebel in me may be coming out. 1/ terikanefield.com/traditional-...

terikanefield.com

"Let Every Eye Negotiate for Itself": A Legal Breakdown of the Literary Agent Model - Teri Kanefield

2135

Reposted by Teri Kanefield

Tim Chambers @timothychambers.net · 19/07/2026

My team's work is this article on #AI in the @nytimes.com this morning: “Disinformation actors are, by definition, early adopters — they will use every technique and every technology they can,” said Tim Chambers, who runs the digital and social media arm of Dewey Square Group..." (1 of N)

nytimes.com

Politicians Are Trying to Change What Chatbots Say About Them (Gift Article)

Political campaigns have something new to worry about these days: unflattering or incomplete information produced by A.I. programs when voters ask questions about candidates.

2167

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Congratulations Tim. Excellent work.

030

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

It was two weekends ago! It was my first time in Wisconsin. The weather was perfect, the lakes were beautiful, and the Verona public library is amazing.

0100

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Hi, everyone, ICYMI, I updated my "Things I've Been Thinking About" webpage with a text from the two talks I gave in Madison, WI this weekend. Among other things ask whether we (yes, us, the good guys) are inadvertently contributing to the demise of democracy. terikanefield.com/things-ive-b...

2327

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

That was probably a lot of mumbo-jumbo for nothing. I could have just said: I put the text of my Madison Wisconsin talk, "The Power of Lies: Are We Creating Our Own Noise" at the top of my new "Things I've been Thinking About" page. It's here: terikanefield.com/things-ive-b...

terikanefield.com

Things I've Been Thinking About - Teri Kanefield

So, find a comfy chair, settle in, and scroll down to see if anything interests you. “He who knows only his side of the case knows little of that.” –John Stuart Mill, On Liberty “The spirit of liberty...

0299

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Also, if you scroll to the bottom, I put a link to the blog, so you can see things in order. However, what is on the front page "Things I've Been Thinking About" is updated. If you scroll back you see older versions, and things I decided not to put on the front page, at least for now.

010

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

That is why I put it in logical order and chronological order (the date written) Chronological order is for responding to the moment and offering value responses. This allows me to develop the ideas naturally

120

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I have quoted their stats, which I think are solid. Otherwise, I don't make recommendations because things change. I used to promote a scholar until that scholar became what initially he preached against.

120

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I updated my "Things I've Been Thinking About" page with the new piece, "The Power of Lies: Are We Creating Our Own Noise" terikanefield.com/things-ive-b... For now I put the new piece at the top, but later I'll put it where it goes conceptually. Why am I doing it this way? 1/

terikanefield.com

Musings Page - Teri Kanefield

14315

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Hi, Everyone, Last week, I gave two talks in Madison, Wi. Here is what I had to say: terikanefield.com/the-power-of... It was my first time in Wisconsin. The weather was perfect, the lakes were beautiful, and the Verona Public Library is an amazing building.

terikanefield.com

04510

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Here is what I like. Instead of saying "Buy her book" they are giving away free copies of my book. The first 20 people who show up get a free copy. That's because this is a library and libraries are totally 100% awesome.

05917

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Any Madison, Wisconsin peeps? I'll be speaking tomorrow at two public libraries, the Verona Library at 10:00 am and the Meadowridge Library at 2:00. I've never been here before. What a lovely place. And the people are definitely nice. www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/event...

madisonpubliclibrary.org

Teri Kanefield for A Firehose of Falsehood

23111

Reposted by Teri Kanefield

yarkot.bsky.social @yarkot.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

I enjoyed Teri’s writing here, a book chapter from her: terikanefield.com/1-demagogues... I’ll add one more reference read: See Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s nice writeup of Good & Evil in the last chapter of his book, “Finding Flow”, called “Love of Fate”. #AwarenessMatters

terikanefield.com

Chapter 1: Demagogues and Artists - Teri Kanefield

Chapter 1Demagogues and Artists In September 2024, I went to Chile for the national independence festivities and a family reunion for my husband and his siblings. While there, I learned something that...

044

Reposted by Teri Kanefield

Jny🦅brd @justicelicsw.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

If you’re looking for calm, clear, & thoughtful, in the midst of the noise, read Teri’s page.

1154

Teri Kanefield @terikanefield.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Sometimes I look at how much I've written and think really, what more can I say? That's sort of why I made this page.

070