What happens when an agent wants your story but wants someone else to write it?

Yesterday the #writingcommunity was scandalized when a well-known literary agent (HH) from a reputable agency (KTL) tweeted:

Just read a query that was essentially THE ROAD meets DELIVERANCE and now I want someone to write this for me, please?

HH at Twitter

The tweet is a prime example of everything that is wrong with the publishing industry. Obviously, HH liked the pitch this writer sent. But to reject that person and then ask someone else to write the story instead—that should scare every writer who has ever pitched their awesome one-of-a-kind idea to an agent. Is that what is happening out there? Unknown writers are sending their queries out to dozens of agents, and those agents are turning around and pitching those ideas to other writers, presumably until they get the version of the story they think they can sell?

I think it is safe to say that most agents do not do this. But still, the fact remains: agents and editors are looking for a sure thing. Sadly, publishing is all about playing it safe. That is why a large portion of the six- and seven-figure book deals these days go to known figures (celebrities, former bestselling authors, politicians of every stripe no matter how many crimes they’ve committed, etc.). I’m sure HH would have loved to run the pitch by Stephen King to see if he’d be up for writing this story (to his credit, Stephen King does not seem like the kind of person who would steal someone else’s idea). Wouldn’t we all love THE ROAD meets DELIVERANCE written by Stephen King? But the pitch didn’t come from Stephen King. It came from an unknown.

So what if HH had taken a chance on the actual author who pitched the work? What if she had said to herself, “Wow, this person has a really compelling idea. So compelling I feel a desire to tweet the world about it. But I don’t love the execution. Maybe I could work with the author to help them realize their vision.”

That would mean taking a HUGE chance on an unknown writer. Maybe the writer needs more training in the craft. Maybe the writer’s vision differs from the agent’s. Maybe, maybe, maybe. But if this writer’s pitch sold HH on the idea, it does seem there might be enough to go on to make an offer of representation.

As of today, HH and the KTL agency have parted ways due to the controversial tweet. But the idea that the unnamed writer pitched is still out there, waiting for someone to give it a chance.