The Evolving Role of the Literary Agent

Writer’s Digest (October 2014)

In the most recent issue of Writer’s Digest magazine, you’ll find my feature article, “The Evolving Agent.” I discuss how literary agents’ business models and services are changing to fit the needs of their clients, who are increasingly self-publishing or choosing hybrid paths.

The article covers:

the value of agent-assisted self-publishing
what happens when agents use third parties to assist you (e.g., Argo Navis or Amazon White Glove)
specific agencies that assist with self-publishing and what their terms are
what questions to ask an agent before having them assist with self-publishing

Regarding that last point, here are a few of those questions to ask:

Who covers the costs associated with self-publishing? In most cases, the author covers the cost, but sometimes the agent will cover expenses and deduct them from the author’s earnings.
Who controls the rights to the self-published work? (It should be the author.)
How long must you commit to giving the agent 15 percent of sales on the work? (It shouldn’t be indefinitely.)
How/when can the agreement be terminated?

To read the full article, buy the October 2014 issue of Writer’s Digest, available in print or as a digital download.

For additional context, I also highly recommend reading:

Agent-Assisted Self-Publishing and the Amazon White Glove Program by Melissa Foster
Why I Left My Agent and New York Publisher by Claire Cook

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