You have finished your book, and it has been edited and proofread. And you finally decided to publish it traditionally instead of self-publishing. So you start googling “literary agents” and find a few before you realize you have no idea what they even do for authors.
What is the role of a literary agent? What do they do exactly?
This post will answer that question and more. I’ll share the pros and cons of having a literary agent and a fun little history lesson.
What Is a Literary Agent?
A literary agent is the person who can help get your manuscript in front of publishing houses.
Not only do they negotiate contracts, but they can increase the size of your advance, be your motivation, become your first editor, be your biggest supporter, and shape the overall course of your career.
History of the Literary Agent
Before we dive into the role of a literary agent, let’s take a look at their history.
It wasn’t until the late nineteenth century that the idea of a literary agent began. In Victorian England, literacy and publishing had reached new heights during that time.
Because of the rapid growth in both emerging authors and publishers, a middleman was needed between the two. Writers wanted to write; they didn’t want to participate in the “business side of writing.” Thus the birth of the literary agent—the much-needed middleman.
Back then, publishers despised literary agents. However, today that feeling has completely vanished. In fact, most publishers require an author to be represented by an agent before they accept their manuscript.
The Role of a Literary Agent
Now that you know their backstory, let’s look at the role of a literary agent. What do they do, exactly?
While they have many jobs and daily tasks, the most important responsibilities of a literary agent include:
1. Review Query Letters
The primary role of a literary agent is to go through their submissions inbox and review query letters sent to them from writers. When they come across a manuscript that aligns with what they are looking for, they’ll sign the writer on for representation.
Part of this process also involves requesting full manuscripts for the projects they’re interested in representing. They read the full manuscript and make a decision based on what they’ve read.
2. Revise Manuscripts
Literary agents often act as developmental editors, spending time helping their clients strengthen their manuscripts before submitting them to editors. Even if you’ve already had your manuscript revised with beta readers and professional editors, a literary agent will give you more feedback. They want to help you get your manuscript as perfect as possible before reaching out to editors of publishing houses. You and your agent may go through multiple rounds of revisions and many drafts before it gets into the hands of editors.
3. Submit Clients’ Projects to Editors
Literary agents write a pitch letter that includes what the book is about and a brief bio about the author. They choose editors from different publishing houses who they think would be a good match and they submit your project to them along with their pitch letter.
Your literary agent will update you on who they’re sending your book to and why. As the editors update them, they’ll communicate the information to you. If an editor is interested in publishing your book, they’ll propose a book deal, in which your agent will step in and negotiate the terms of the contract.
4. Sell Client’s Book Rights
Another major role of a literary agent is selling the rights to their clients’ book projects. When a publishing house makes an offer, your agent will sit down and talk with you about whether you only want to sell them the US English rights or if you’re possibly open to selling more. US English rights are the editions of books that US-based publishing houses focus on and the editions we read. There are also subsidiary rights and foreign rights that can get your book out to a wider audience and in different formats, making you more money.
Foreign editions are translated into another language and distributed in another country. Also included are audio and large print editions. Literary agents can also sell film rights since most movies are based on books.
Your literary agent will fight to get you exactly what you want and to get you the best deal possible as your advocate.
5. Manage Client Payments
Literary agents also manage their clients’ payments. When you get paid by the publisher, the money goes to your agent’s literary agency. Your agent takes out their 15% and sends you the check for the rest, which will either be for an advance or royalties.
Pros and Cons of Literary Agents
A literary agent can be the key to getting your book published, but it’s not a certainty.
Here’s a look at the pros and cons of hiring a literary agent:
Pros
More Publishing Opportunities
Having a literary agent means more publishing opportunities and access to the Big Five, which won’t even consider your work unless you are represented by an agent.
Professional Expertise
Agents know what’s selling because they have spent years building relationships with different editors across the country. Therefore, they know which author to pitch your project to and how to get them interested in your manuscript.
Contract Negotiations
One role of a literary agent is to negotiate a contract between you and the publisher, so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. They understand the language and terms in the contract so they can negotiate the best deal for you.
Quality Assurance
Having a well-known literary agent makes your manuscript stand out to editors. They’ll see that since “so-in-so” agent agreed to represent you, your manuscript must be of higher quality.
Professional Guidance
Experienced agents give you feedback on how to revise your manuscript to be the best it can be. This feedback can help you with future projects, too. They can also recommend what to write next and ways to reach a wider audience. They’ll help you understand the publishing process and make informed decisions about your career.
Marketing and Promotion
Agents often have a network of contacts and can help promote your work to readers and industry professionals.
Saving Time
Agents handle the business side of things, freeing you up to focus on writing.
Advocacy
Agents are your advocate in the publishing industry. They work to make sure your interests are represented and your work is treated fairly.
Access to Industry Events
Literary agents often attend industry events, conferences, and festivals, providing opportunities for you to network and connect with other writers, editors, and industry professionals.
No Fees
Many literary agents do not charge fees to read your work. They work on commission, so there are no upfront fees. If an agent asks for money, it’s a scam.
Cons
High Commission Fees
Literary agents get paid by taking a commission, usually 15%, on how much your book earns. For new authors trying to get a foot in the door, this can be a significant expense.
Limited Control
Agents have a say in the editing, marketing, and other decisions related to your book, so you are giving up some control over the publishing process.
Long Wait Times
Literary agents are very busy people. They’re responding to queries, submissions, and requests for revisions. Therefore, getting a response can take a long time, which can be frustrating if you’re excited to publish your work soon.
Limited Access to Top Publishers
New or smaller agents don’t have the same connections with top publishers the way established agents do. This can make it harder for you to get your book published with a major publisher.
High Expectations
Often, literary agents have high expectations for the books they represent, which is stressful if you’re not able to meet their expectations.
Limited Feedback
Some agents may not give you detailed feedback on your manuscript. This can be frustrating because it makes it hard for you to understand what needs to be improved.
Risk of Rejection
Yes, there’s still a possibility of rejection, even with a literary agent. The publisher may reject your manuscript or the agent may not be able to sell your book to a publisher.
Limited Flexibility
Literary agents usually have a specific vision for your book. This can limit your ability to make changes or experiment with different directions.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Sometimes agents represent multiple authors in the same genre, which can be a conflict of interest. Or the agent has a personal relationship with a publisher. Conflicts of interest can create tension, making it difficult for authors to get a fair deal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the role of a literary agent is important if you’re considering traditional publishing. Literary agents are much more than middlemen; they are advocates, advisors, and negotiators who play a key role in your career. From reviewing query letters to managing contracts and selling book rights, their expertise can open doors to major publishing opportunities and ensure that you get the best possible deals.
While there are pros and cons to having an agent, the benefits of professional guidance, industry connections, and advocacy often outweigh the drawbacks. With the right agent by your side, your manuscript can reach its full potential and find its place in the literary world.
Do you need an extra set of eyes to make sure your manuscript is ready for publication? I can help! Check out my proofreading services page to learn more.
Authors: Would you like to be featured in my new series called “20 Questions With an Author”? If so, send me an email (diligentanalyzer@michellemillerproofreading.com) and put 20 Questions in the subject line. I’ll send you the questions, you answer them and send them back, and you’ll be featured in one of my posts!
