What is a literary agent?

A literary agent represents authors and submits to publishers and editors on their behalf

• They also:
  • Negotiate Contracts
    Promote
    Negotiate contracts outside publishing
    Mediate

What are the benefits of having an agent?

• Open Doors

  Avoid the slush file
  Pre-vetted status
  Bypass slow steps
  Agent only options

• šKnowledge

  š“In the know”

  šDepends on how good the agent is and how good their contacts are

  šAccess to specific information

• Mediation

  Navigate disputes
  Knowledgeable in: publishing contracts, foreign rights, media rights, royalty negotiations
  Disputes are common occurrence
  **Getting a lawyer involved is sometimes necessary

• Advice

  Guidance for new authors
  Knows the book market and current trends
  Marketing opportunities
  Timing

What are the drawbacks of having an agent? 

• Money

  Legitimate agents will NEVER ask you for money
  Do get a cut of the royalties
  Domestic sales: 10-15%
  Foreign sales: fixed rate of 20%
  Film/media sales are usually negotiated separately

• Time

  Querying can be SLOW
  Once you have an agent, querying starts all over again with publishers
  How long?
  A few months to several years
  It may not happen
  There should be a time limit in your contract

• Control

  Once you sign, publishing options may be more limited
  Submissions are handled directly by your agent
  Additional work you write may automatically come under the agent’s control
  Variations of your book that are produced (film, graphic novel, audio, translation, etc.) may entitle your agent to a cut

Stop back by soon for more discussion on Publishers, Agents, and Publishing in this new Publishing Primer series.