Literary Agents

If you are a writer hoping for commercial publication, you know how important a literary agent can be.  If you are a reader, the whole realm of commercial publication and agents might be a mystery.  Here are some answers to a few questions I’ve been asked about agents.

Q: What is a literary agent?

     A: A literary agent is a business person who sells his or her clients’ written work to commercial publishers. In general agents charge a percentage commission fee on any advances or royalties that result from a sale.  Agents may perform other services for their clients such as contract negotiation, editing, career guidance, and dispensing legal advice. 

Q: Why do authors need an agent?

      A:  Not all authors do.  Very few poets are represented by agents, and usually agents do not seek clients who write only for magazines.  Authors who write book-length fiction or non-fiction do not need an agent if they elect to self-publish.  However, if an author is interested in commercial publication, especially with a large publishing house, it’s a whole different story.  Commercial publishers usually will not read a manuscript unless it is represented by a literary agent.  This requirement ensures a higher level of quality in the manuscripts publishers agree to read and also cuts down on the publishing company’s expenses in processing manuscripts.  In other words, they don’t have to hire so many “first readers” to cull through the “slush piles” of manuscripts that aren’t of high enough quality for publication.

Q:  What percentage of an author’s earnings do literary agents receive?

       A:  That varies, but nowadays most agents receive 15% on sales to U.S. publishers and an additional 5 to 15 percent on foreign sales and movie right sales.

Q:  How much does an author owe a literary agent if the agent can’t sell a manuscript?

       A:  Nothing.

Q: Does an agent charge other fees besides a percentage of royalties or advances?

      A:  Most agents charge very minimal and reasonable office costs for mailing, shipping or wire transfers, but again, these fees apply only if they sell a manuscript.

Q:  Is a literary agent the same thing as an editor?     

      A:  No.  Some literary agents do edit manuscripts for their clients.  Others do not.  There are two categories of editors who read manuscripts.  A freelance editor is self-employed or employed by an editing service.  These editors are hired directly by the author and are paid (by the author) according to fee schedules based on length of manuscript (word count not page count).  The other type of manuscript editor is employed by the publishing house.  They edit manuscripts purchased by the publishing house for publication.  Most senior level editors actively acquire new manuscripts for their publishing companies.

Q:  If you have an agent does that mean your manuscript will definitely be published?

      A:  Unfortunately, no.  It has a better chance of being published, but no guarantees. 

Q:  Do you have to get a new agent for every manuscript you write?

       A:  No.  As a rule, once an author is accepted by an agent as a client that relationship remains in place until one or both (agent and author) decide to terminate the contract for representation.

Q:  Do all good agents live in New York City?

     A:  No.   Many successful agents and literary agencies are located in NYC, but the advent of the Internet has made communication so much more efficient that many agencies have chosen to locate  in other areas of the US and of the world. 

Q4Y:  Do you have any other questions about literary agents?   I’ll try to answer them. 

Blessings!  Sue