What Does a Literary Agent Do?

Literary agents are the gatekeepers of the publishing industry. They represent authors and their manuscripts, negotiating deals with publishers on behalf of their clients. Literary agents may also provide other services to writers, such as coaching them through the writing process or helping them find an editor or publisher for their work.

Literary agents typically specialize in a particular genre or type of writing. For example, they might focus on representing only fiction writers or only nonfiction writers. Some literary agents may even specialize by subject matter—for example, they might only represent writers who write about food or travel.

Literary Agent Job Duties

Literary agents have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Negotiating contracts with publishers on behalf of the author, including offering advice on the terms of the contract to ensure the author’s best interests are protected
• Reviewing queries from authors to determine whether they have potential for publication
• Acting as an intermediary between authors and publishers through the submission process, which can include editing manuscripts to improve their chances of acceptance
• Finding appropriate publishers for authors whose work they represent
• Helping authors with book promotion efforts such as arranging interviews on radio shows or television programs
• Representing authors’ interests in dealings with publishers regarding royalties, foreign rights sales, film rights, paperback rights, electronic rights, subsidiary rights such as dramatizations or translations, and other business matters related to copyrighted works
• Negotiating contracts with authors on behalf of publishers for the sale of rights to books or other works
• Acting as a liaison between authors and their publishers throughout the publication process, providing feedback on draft manuscripts and helping to ensure that deadlines are met
• Representing authors’ interests in contractual disputes with publishers, including filing lawsuits if necessary to protect the rights of authors

Literary Agent Salary & Outlook

The salary of a literary agent can vary depending on their level of experience, the type of clients they represent, and the size and location of the agency. Some agents may also work as freelance contractors for an hourly rate.

• Median Annual Salary: $62,500 ($30.05/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $117,500 ($56.49/hour)

The employment of literary agents is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

The need for literary agents will increase as more writers seek representation for their work. As e-publishing becomes more common, more writers are self-publishing their works and seeking representation from literary agents.

Literary Agent Job Requirements

A literary agent typically needs the following:

Education: Most literary agents have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some agents have a master’s degree or a doctorate. A bachelor’s degree in English, creative writing or another closely related field is most common, but a degree in any field can be useful.

Training & Experience: Literary agents typically receive on-the-job training from their employers. This training may include learning about the agency’s specific processes and procedures, as well as the agency’s client base.

Certifications & Licenses: Though many literary agents do not have specific certifications, many belong to the Association of Authors Representatives, which offers a certification program for agents interested in furthering their knowledge of the publishing industry.

Literary Agent Skills

Literary agents need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is another skill that literary agents use to represent their clients. They communicate with their clients to understand their needs and communicate with publishers to negotiate contracts. They also communicate with other literary agents to find the best opportunities for their clients.

Organization: Literary agents often have multiple projects and clients at a time, so it’s important for them to be organized. This can help them keep track of their clients’ needs and deadlines, as well as the information they need to provide their clients. Organization can also help them keep track of their own tasks and responsibilities.

Editing: Literary agents often edit manuscripts before they’re sent to publishers. This skill can help them understand what the author is trying to convey and how to improve the writing. It can also help them identify what the publisher is looking for in a manuscript.

Marketing: Literary agents often have experience with marketing and advertising, which can help them when representing authors. They can use their marketing skills to help an author create a marketing plan for their book, including creating a book trailer, setting up book signings and other promotional events and creating advertisements for the book.

Negotiation: Negotiation is the ability to reach an agreement between two parties. Literary agents use negotiation skills to help authors and publishers agree on contract terms. They also use negotiation skills to help authors and editors agree on the content of a book.

Literary Agent Work Environment

A literary agent’s work environment may vary, but is typically an office setting. The hours may be long, and the work demanding, as the agent is responsible for finding new talent, negotiating contracts, and overseeing the progress of the author’s work. The agent is also responsible for the financial well-being of the author, and often works with a team of assistants to keep track of all the details associated with the author’s work.

Literary Agent Trends

Here are three trends influencing how literary agents work. Literary agents will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Self-Publishing

The growth of self-publishing is a trend that is changing the publishing industry as we know it. As more and more authors choose to self-publish their work, literary agents will need to find new ways to stay competitive.

One way to do this is by developing relationships with self-publishing platforms that can help authors market their books. Literary agents can also focus on finding new talent and helping them get published.

A Focus on Diversity

As the publishing industry becomes more diverse, literary agents are focusing on representing writers from different backgrounds. This is because publishers are looking for books that reflect the diversity of their readership.

Literary agents who are successful in this trend will be those who are able to identify talented writers from all backgrounds and connect them with the right publishers. They will also need to be able to market these writers effectively so that they can be discovered by the right people.

More Attention Paid to Author Platforms

Author platforms are becoming increasingly important in the publishing world. Literary agents are paying more attention to author platforms because they provide a better understanding of an author’s potential success.

Authors who want to be successful in today’s publishing world need to have a strong platform that showcases their expertise and connects them with their audience. Literary agents are looking for this type of connection when they make decisions about which authors to represent.

How to Become a Literary Agent

A literary agent career can be a great way to get started in the publishing industry. It’s important to have a strong network of contacts when you start out, so it’s a good idea to attend local writing events and meet other writers and publishers. You should also read widely and keep up with developments in the publishing world.

When you’re ready to start looking for a literary agent job, make sure you have a well-written query letter that showcases your writing skills and sells your book idea. Also include a short bio that describes your writing experience and any relevant qualifications.