An agent can be a real help.
On the other hand, you may not need one. These FAQs should help you
decide.
What does a literary agent do for
writers?
A literary agent represents the author of a book to publishers. In
other words, the main job of a literary agent is to find writers a
publisher. Agents also negotiate rights, including film and TV, on
behalf of the author they represent.
Most literary agents have a specialty. That is, there are agents who
specialize in computer books, those who market mysteries, etc.
Does having an agent mean my book will sell?
No. The possible advantage an agent offers is their contacts in the
publishing industry. They act as brokers and filters to acquisition
editors. If an agent with good contacts likes your book, it will get
consideration quickly.
An agent who likes your book may help you shape it so it is more
likely to be purchased by a publisher.
Agents can also help in negotiations with a publisher, often getting
you a higher advance, higher royalties and/or more promotion.
But just because an agent takes you and you book on doesn't guarantee
a sale.
How are literary agents paid?
The agent receives a percentage, usually 15%, of any advance and all
author royalties. They don’t get paid unless they make a sale.
What kind of contract do I sign
with a literary agent?
As a general rule, an agency contract is a personal service contract.
This means that you and the agent sign a contract that spells out what
both parties will do, what fees are charged and how they are to be paid
and under what circumstances either party can cancel the contract.
Here are some things to consider:
- The contract should have a time limit.
Ninety to 180 days is probably the range you’re looking for. You
want the agent to have enough time to do a good job, but you don’t
want to get locked in for long if the agent is unsuccessful or isn’t
working for you.
- The rights the agent will market should be spelled out in the
contract. For example, some agents only work with book publishers,
others work with film and TV and some do both.
- An agent may ask for rights to market any and all future work. You
probably won’t want to do this unless the agent has already demonstrated
they can successfully market your work. Even then, my own feeling is
that you shouldn’t agree to this. One possible approach is to agree to a
right of first refusal on future works with a time limit of no more
than 30 days.
- The contract should spell out what sort of reports you will be
getting from the agent. These can be formal reports or even a phone call
every so often. But you do have the right to know what the agent is
doing on your behalf.
- The contract should also spell out exactly how the agreement can be
cancelled by you and the agent. The agent wants to be sure you won’t
jerk the work out from under them when they are on the verge of a sale,
and you want to be sure you can get out if the agent isn’t performing.
A literary agent offered me a work for hire contract. What’s that?
A work for hire contract means you’re giving all rights to the
publisher or agents and will only be paid once. There are no royalties
and no opportunity for you to sell your work again. Although there may
be special circumstances that warrant such a contract, they are best
avoided.
Do I have to pay agent fees up front?
Not with a legitimate literary agent. If you’re asked for a reader’s
fee or any other form of payment, run away as fast as you can. The only
payment an agent deserves is a percentage of the sale.
Do I need to complete my work before I look for a literary agent?
If you’re writing a novel, you’ll need to finish the book before an
agent takes you on as a client, unless, of course, you’ve already sold
several in that genre. The reason a novel needs to be completed is
because it’s way easier to start a novel than to finish it, and until
you’ve got a solid track record agents and publishers want to see the
whole thing.
If you’re writing non-fiction you can often find a literary agent on
the basis of a book proposal, although if you’re an unpublished writer,
the complete book may be required.
Ok, how to I find a literary agent?
There are several ways. One of the best ways to get a literary agent
is through personal recommendation. If you know a successful writer who
writes in your genre, ask them to make a suggestion. If you belong to
any writing groups, either off line or on, you may be able to get
recommendations there.
Paradoxically, another good way to get an agent is to market your
book yourself. When a publisher makes you an offer, ask them to
recommend an agent. Publishers like working with agents because they
know the ropes and even though the agent may be able to negotiate a
better advance and/or royalties, they know they are working through a
professional.
Since it often takes as much work to find an agent as it does a
publisher, it may make better sense to look for the publisher first.
Another way to locate agents is to Google them. Just enter Literary
Agents and you’ll get a ton of links. And, of course, there are books
that list agents. Writer’s Digest publishes a directory of agents every
year. You may also find listings of agents in writing magazines. Don’t
overlook your local yellow pages as another possible source.
NOTE: You need to decide if you're going to seek an agent or a
publisher - it won't work to mix these searches. You can see why. If
you've already been rejected by a publisher, the agent isn't likely to
want to represent your book.
Do I need an literary agent in New York?
No, a New York agent is not necessary these days. Although New York
agents have a better chance of lunching with publishers, the truth is a
good agent can market you successfully from almost anywhere.
Write well and often!
