How to Find a Literary Agent – A Guide for New Authors

Literary agents hold 80% of the market of publishing sales by New York houses. They’ve made their mark in the industry and fervently represent the welfare of their clients and authors. Literary agents are privy to inside information and contact with exclusive publishers. They know which editors are most prone to buy a specific piece.

First and foremost, agents are required to obtain the most beneficial book deal for you, negotiate a decent contract, safeguard your rights, guarantee your compensation precisely and reasonably, and be the middleman between you and the publisher. Select someone you can envision yourself being managed by spanning your career.

Agents traditionally get paid once they sell your manuscript, with a 15% commission rate on everything you earn (your advance and royalties). It’s in your best interest to avoid agents who charge different rates and stick to the customary 15%.

Do Authors Need a Literary Agent?

Depending on your desire to be published by one of the major New York houses, for example, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Beacon Publishing Group, Workman Publishing, Skyhorse Publishing, and Macmillan, as well the content you’re looking to publish, it’s a lifesaver having a literary agent in your corner.

Writing for a niche market, for example, financial articles or an educational piece, might allow you to avoid commissioning an agent. Agents take their business seriously and, like most tycoons, are driven to appoint you based on the size of the advance they might collect. They won’t think twice about ditching your manuscript if the advance amount isn’t attractive enough.

Agents are professionals at considering different levels of profitable viability; some novels aren’t “big” enough and weren’t destined to be published by the Big Five traditional publishers (e.g., Penguin Random House, HarperCollins). Other books are considered “quiet” books, better suited for mid-size and small press houses.

The best thing you can do is to be honest with yourself about your work’s potential. You have confidently drafted your best work, but not every book is meant to be published by a New York house; you may not even require an agent. You may choose to self-publish.

Here are some indications about what types of books a Big Five traditional publisher would be riveted by:

• The obvious mainstream fiction spans the usual, including fantasy, mystery/crime, romance, thriller, science fiction, and young adult, to name a few.

• Attention-grabbing nonfiction books would display well on a Barnes & Noble or independent bookstore rack. These demand a robust hook and writer platform.

New York publishers won’t engage a nonfiction book unless it forecasts retailing 10,000 to 20,000 publications minimum. To gain knowledge on what sells, consider a month-long subscription to PublishersMarketplace.com and investigate the announced deals.

In the event your manuscript doesn’t appear to be a good contender for a New York house, there are many mid-size houses, independent publishers, small presses, university presses, and digital-only publishers who’d be interested in publishing your piece. It’s your entitlement to discover them.

How to Find a Literary Agent

Finding an author a suitable agent can be likened to matrimonial matchmaking; it’s tricky, to say the least. It’s safest for you to find someone who suits you because you know you best, which will be revealed to you by the end of this article.

PublishersMarketplace.com hosts many agent member pages and a search engine permitting you to search the publishing deals database by genre, category, and/or keyword to isolate the best agents for your work. Other similar resources to review and implement in your writing include QueryTracker (free and paid versions) and Duotrope.

What Must Authors Submit to a Literary Agent?

Assuming fiction authors are unpublished or unproven, they’ll be obliged to present a full manuscript. For nonfiction writers, your concept and platform must have a bearing as much as, if not more, than your writing. Preparing a book proposal is a business plan. It motivates selling points based on the current market. Round your manuscript off well before submitting it.

Many writers are excited about their story concept unless they’re in a place where timing is everything; complete the work first. Don’t rush; take your time and confidently believe you’ve done all you can to submit your best work. You’ve got to put in the effort to complete the manuscript; it’s not your agents’ job. Most agents prefer proposals with little to no editorial work required.

Okay, let’s assume you’re ready to rumble. Every agent is unique and therefore has special requirements when submitting your materials. Here are the most common materials you’ll be asked for with your query letter.

The Details of a Compelling Query Letter

A single-page letter or proposal briefly detailing your work to get your foot in the door. Generally, a short synopsis, although there’s no industry standard.

• A Brief Synopsis of Your Novel
• A two-page summary of your chronicle in its entirety, briefly touching on the ending.
• Sample chapters.

Select the most compelling sample chapters from your novel or memoir, starting in literal chronological order. It’s often best to leave the middle chapters out of the query letter, as saucy as it is. For nonfiction authors, any chapter is adequate.

Honestly, no agent accepts full manuscripts off the bat. When reading submission guidelines, you’ll come across “no unsolicited materials.” Entire manuscripts are a fine example of unwelcome material. Virtually all agents welcome a one-page query letter unless otherwise specified in their guidelines. Their market is closed if they are not accepting query letters.

What Responses Can You Expect from Reaching Out to a Literary Agent?

Please don’t freak out when the proposals you’ve distributed get no response; it’s completely normal. Learn to accept rejection. It’s inevitable; the important thing is to not let it crush your dreams and find alternative ways of publishing. Shape a more impactful query letter perhaps.

Requests for a partial manuscript, possibly a synopsis, or hopefully a full manuscript means you’ve made an impact with your query letter. Don’t pop the champagne just yet. You still stand a chance of being rejected because there may be a weakness in the manuscript or proposal.