How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book

[Quantum]

Updated several days ago on 5 December 2017.

Thoughts?

In today’s market, probably 80 percent of books published by New York houses get sold by literary agents. Agents are experts in the publishing industry and represent the interests of their author-clients. They have inside contacts with specific publishers and know which editors are most likely to buy a particular work. Perhaps most important, agents can secure the best possible book deal for you, negotiate a fair contract, protect your rights, ensure you are paid accurately and fairly, and run interference when necessary between you and the publisher.

The best agents are career-long advisers and managers.

Traditionally, agents get paid only when they sell your work, and they receive a 15 percent commission on everything you get paid (your advance and royalties). It is best to avoid agents who charge fees other than the standard 15 percent.

(https://www.janefriedman.com/find-lit...)

[Mehreen]

Thank you for that tip, Alex. Some publishing houses, however, do not use literary agents. But the big five does, I believe.

[Mark]

Mehreen wrote: "Thank you for that tip, Alex. Some publishing houses, however, do not use literary agents. But the big five does, I believe."

Yeah, Mehreen

The Big Five won't talk to anyone who isn't agented. There isn't even any way to query or submit to them.

But the smaller presses you can usually submit to, but do your homework because many are not very good, and vanity presses are a straight up scam.

[Mehreen]

Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Thank you for that tip, Alex. Some publishing houses, however, do not use literary agents. But the big five does, I believe."

Yeah, Mehreen

The Big Five won't talk to anyone who i..."

Thanks for the tip, Mark. I have always managed to stay away from vanity presses. I have not paid for any of my books, although my publishers for fiction are mostly small presses.

[Mark]

Mehreen wrote: "Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Thank you for that tip, Alex. Some publishing houses, however, do not use literary agents. But the big five does, I believe."

Yeah, Mehreen

The Big Five won't talk to..."


If you don't mind me asking, what advantages to you get from going with a small press over just Independent publishing with Amazon?

[Mehreen]

Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Thank you for that tip, Alex. Some publishing houses, however, do not use literary agents. But the big five does, I believe."

Yeah, Mehreen

The Big Fi..."

Well, I get help with the all important marketing. I am not particularly good with that. I'd rather just write.

[Mark]

Mehreen wrote: "Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Thank you for that tip, Alex. Some publishing houses, however, do not use literary agents. But the big five does, I believe."

Yeah, Mehree..."


I hear you! I hate marketing, so time consuming and expensive. I'm terrible at it as well.

[Mehreen]

Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Mark wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "Thank you for that tip, Alex. Some publishing houses, however, do not use literary agents. But the big five does, I believe..."

A fair question, then, why do we publish? If I like writing, write it in a diary and keep it to yourself. Well, I don't know the answer to that. I guess, even if marketing maybe a writer's weakest link, there is something about publishing that gives satisfaction, just seeing one's work published is a tremendous boost, to me at least.

[Leonie]

I'm also with small press. (Definitely not vanity publishing.) There are the advantages of editing, proofreading, cover design and some marketing.

I think every author will tell you that marketing nowadays - even with big press - is definitely a cooperative effort. Certainly every writer I've heard at writers' festivals emphasises that.

[Ian]

The problem with a small press is it has to be able to help with the marketing in the area where you live. If not, they are not going to be very helpful, and I suspect you will not sell many, so the arrangement won't last. I could be wrong on that, though.

[Leonie]

Ian wrote: "The problem with a small press is it has to be able to help with the marketing in the area where you live. If not, they are not going to be very helpful, and I suspect you will not sell many, so th..."

I've been fortunate on that front. Currently very happy with my publisher.