How to Find A Literary Agent
You’ve poured hundreds of hours into writing a book: bravo! You’ve done your research on your publishing options (if you haven’t: go here) and decided to traditionally publish. You know you can directly submit your book proposal to some publishers but not others, as they require agent representation.
And here you are – you’ve come to the right place to learn more about how to find a literary agent. As a seasoned non-fiction book coach and editor, I am here to help you find the right path forward in your author adventures.
Finding the right literary agent can define your publishing experience. Not only will a literary agent help you with contract negotiations, rights and licensing, and submission to publishers, but they’ll also help you with networking, editing, and finalizing your manuscript. Your literary agent will act as your mediator and advocate, simplifying the process of getting your book out there and into the hands of your readers.
Sounds like a dream, right? But how do you find the right literary agent for you? In this blog, I cover all of the in’s and out’s, from the benefit of hiring a literary agent to finding one and determining whether they’re right for you, I leave no page left unturned. Let’s set you up for success.
The Benefit of Finding The Right Literary Agent
If you’re planning to follow the traditional publishing route, there are major advantages to hiring a literary agent.
Access to Major Publishers: Many large publishing houses don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts and, in fact, only consider submissions made by literary agents they trust. In doing so, these publishing houses can accept manuscripts knowing that they will only be receiving work that has been previously vetted and determined to be a potential match for what they’re looking for.
Consequently, by working with a literary agent, you’re able to get your manuscript in front of editors at major publishing houses that you would not have had the opportunity to work with otherwise. This can significantly increase your chances of being published.
Market Expertise: A literary agent is always on top of the latest trends, has specialized knowledge of the market, and knows what publishers are actively looking for. Therefore, they are able to help you position your book in the most effective way possible, taking the current market into consideration. Their market expertise can help you refine your manuscript and determine which publishers would be the best fit for your book.
Professional Advocacy and Negotiation: Literary agents are highly skilled at negotiating contracts that are advantageous to their clients. They can help you negotiate deals, ensure you are paid as promised and fairly, and run interference between you and your publisher as needed. This can result in more favorable financial terms and copyright provisions than you may have been able to secure on your own.
Career Development and Networking: A good literary agent isn’t just thinking in terms of one book – they take your long-term career as an author into consideration. Consequently, they can provide you with guidance on building your brand, advise you on future projects, help develop a strategy for your growth as a writer, and help you connect with other industry professionals.
Agents have well-established networks within the industry and can introduce you to editors, publicists, and marketing experts, which can be crucial for the success of not only your book, but your career as an author as well.
Literary agents can also provide you with moral and professional support, editorial guidance, time and stress reduction, and so much more. For many authors, an agent is a key partner in their writing career. So, how do you find the right one?
Finding The Right Literary Agent
Finding the right literary agent can be daunting; however, if you’re up to the task, it tends to pay off. One thing to note before you begin looking for a literary agent: becoming an agent doesn’t require any certification or training, so be sure to research their background and experience before committing to working with one.
Here are a few ways to begin your search:
Guidebooks and Directories
One reliable way to research available literary agents is by looking through up-to-date guidebooks and agent directory websites. I recommend consulting the Guide to Literary Agents or the Writer’s Market guidebooks. These publishing guidebooks are updated and published annually.
To begin your online search, I recommend starting with the following agent directory websites:
www.duotrope.com (more for poetry, short stories, essays, and literary novels)
Expand and Use Your Network
Reach out to fellow authors, especially those who have successfully published in your genre. These authors can provide valuable advice and introductions. Expand your network by going to writing workshops, conferences, and other literary events. These gatherings are often attended by agents and other industry professionals. I also encourage you to engage in writing communities, both online and offline. A recommendation from a mutual contact can often open doors that cold querying cannot.
Furthermore, don’t overlook the potential of social media platforms like Twitter, where many agents and authors interact publicly. Following and engaging with agents in these spaces can give you insight into their preferences and approach, which will help you tailor your inquiries more effectively.
Find Out Who Works With Whom
Finding out who agents work(ed) with can give you a better idea as to whether or not you will fit well within their current client roster. It can also give you valuable insight into their background and previous experience.
In a recent article, [HERE] Christopher Hoffmann of Copy Write Consultants mentions doing this via QueryTracker’s Who Reps Whom list or via the Publishers Marketplace. Using these sites, you can see details about recent deals that have been made as well as who reps specific authors.
Check the Acknowledgement Page
On the flip side, you can start with authors in your genre. Go to their books and flip to their Acknowledgements page (usually at the back of the book but occasionally toward the beginning). See if they list their agent (and, if you can, gauge their experience working with them by how they thank them). Then Google the agent and do your research on them.
Hopefully, these strategies will help you feel well-equipped to compile a shortlist of suitable agents.
Once You’ve Got Your Short List
Now that you’ve compiled a list of agents you think may be a good fit for you and your book, it’s time to start reaching out. But before you do, be sure to check out their websites and make sure they’re taking submissions in your genre, check out their submissions guidelines so that you can ensure that you follow them, and compile whatever materials you’ll need in order to approach them. This may include the following: A query letter, chapter samples, a book proposal, a full manuscript, or other examples of your writing.
Remember, you are pitching to them! You need to be able to make a compelling argument as to why they should want your book. Make sure you’ve done thorough research and are well prepared before submitting.
Before Agreeing to Work With Them
You’ve gotten a response from your dream agent and you’re probably feeling tempted to say “yes, yes, 1000 times yes” to working with them. However, I encourage you to pause, take a moment, and really take time to ensure that they are a good fit for you before committing.
Your agent will be going out on your behalf to secure your book deals – the very thing that your future as an author relies on. So it’s very important to make sure that you are aligned, have a rapport, communicate well, and are able to trust them. In order to do this, I highly recommend meeting with them in person first, if at all possible. This relationship is vital, so don’t underestimate the importance of finding a good match.
Once You Have Found The Right Literary Agent
First, congratulations on finding and hiring the right literary agent for you and your book. Now your agent will act as your advocate, using their expertise and industry connections to find the best publishing deal for your work. While this is exciting, it’s also important to understand how agents are compensated, as this affects their motivation and approach.
Most agents work on a commission basis, meaning they won’t receive any payment upfront. Instead, they earn a standard commission of about 15% on all income you receive from your work, including both your advance and ongoing royalties. This payment structure ensures that your interests are aligned.
That being said, be cautious of agents who charge upfront fees or include additional charges as this is not standard and can be a red flag.
Remember, a good agent believes in the potential of your work and is motivated by the size of the advance they think they can secure. If an agent doesn’t believe your book will fetch a sizable advance, they might not agree to represent you, regardless of your book’s quality.
With the right agent by your side, you will be able to confidently navigate the publishing landscape and focus on your writing while your agent handles the business of bringing your book to the market.
Final Thoughts on Literary Agents + Help
Hopefully, this blog post has given you a more comprehensive understanding of the critical role that a literary agent plays, not only in the publishing process, but also in your long-term career as an author. The right agent can be a valuable partner in your journey to success.
If you aren’t sure yet if the traditional publishing route is the right path forward for your book, my self-paced course Choose your Publishing Path offers a comprehensive exploration of traditional and self-publishing options. It empowers you to make informed decisions about your publishing path and includes bonuses on finding agents and recommendations for transformational non-fiction authors.
Lastly, if you’re looking for support in writing or editing your book proposal or query letter to book publishers or agents, I also offer these services. Please complete this interest form and I will be in touch to discuss in more detail how I can help.
Wishing you well in your authorship adventures!
