Be Your Own Literary Agent

by Martin Levin

So William Morris won't return your calls? And the folks at Scott Meredith are still charging too much? Then hunker down and grit your teeth: it's time to take matters into your own hands. Renounce the passivity so often associated with the writer's lot and be your own agent. Ex-publishing executive Martin Levin takes you through all the steps in this book of basics, from cover letters to contracts. Note, however, that the info here is geared toward those who want to break into publishing. If scripting is your game, you'll just have to go out and produce your own flick.

Genres: Writing

214 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

I am an attorney and author with decades of experience in law and publishing. My new book, All I Know About Management I Learned From My Dog is on sale now. My next book, Letters From Angel, is on sale in October 2011.

Reviews

[Willow Redd · Rating 4 out of 5]

AT LAST! Finally, I can take this one off my "currently reading" list. After several false starts, and a too-long hiatus that meant I had to start over, I have finally devoted the time necessary to read this one from start to finish.

This was one of several books I picked up for myself during my first trip to California back in 2009. It was this and a copy of Literary Market Place that I grabbed from a small bookstore frequented by actors (I don't want to name drop, but a former SNL cast member was at the register when we walked in).

There is so much useful information here, written by a lawyer who used to work in publishing. Levin has seen both sides of the process, both as publisher and as representative of the author, so he knows a thing or two about the process of getting a book into the hands of the right editor and getting your book published. Some of the most interesting chapters for me were those that dealt with contract negotiation and exactly what to include when first contacting an editor about publishing.

Along with sample contracts, cover letters, and bios, Levin also includes several appendices that cover terminology, examples from LMP, and a few "best bet" publishing houses to consider contacting.

Definitely a handy guide that I'll be coming back to when I reach the point of trying to publish my first book.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was strange reading this book 23 years after it's original publication. Digital publishing hadn't become popular yet and audio books on CD were just starting to take off. It was also interesting to see how the publishing industry operated before audible, e-readers, and smartphones.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

20 years ago this would be 4 or 5 stars. The publishing landscape has obviously changed since 1995 but this is still worth a foundational read.

[Lindsey Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still informative eleven years later( I read the 2003 edition.)