Humor me for a moment as I compare a literary agent to a Realtor.  A Realtor wants to represent a homeowner whose house is immaculate, has dazzling curb appeal and is in a booming community.   If the Realtor lists a tumbled down chicken coop, she’s not going to sell it quickly or maybe at all. She wants one that’s ready to go, right?  

A literary agent wants to represent a writer’s manuscript that is immaculate, will appeal at once to an editor and is in a genre that sells well.  She wants one that’s ready to get to editors who will be nuts for the book.

Make sense?  Does for me. 

So, what do you know, for sure, about literary agents?  Are you aware that not every writer needs one?  

Basically, literary agents only represent book-length writing, fiction and nonfiction.   All bets are off if you’re really rich or famous and then they’ll be flocking to you. They don’t typically handle short stories, articles, essays or poetry.

Why?  Agent charge 15 percent.  If a poem sells for five bucks, well, you do the math.  It makes sense to represent projects that have a good return on the investment.  

How does one find a literary agent?

Ask for referrals.  Agents are busy and some get many hundreds of submissions every month.  If you were in their sneakers, wouldn’t you want to read a query or proposal recommended by someone you already respect and might even be a client?  I would.

Check who represents your favorite writer, if you can.  Check a book’s acknowledgement as the author might mention her agent there.  Author’s websites sometimes have their agent’s contact info. If the agency sells your genre, agent will be open to reading your query.

Attend literary/writing conferences that invite agents, and get a business card.  If you’re not ready to pitch your book, that’s okay. Send the agent a thank you note for chatting with you.  

Study Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents, 28th edition: Who They Are, What They Want, How to Win Them Over, 28th Edition, 2019.  This book gives you the full scoop on agents. 

Keep in mind that many publishing houses, the smaller and “younger” ones won’t require that you have an agent.  This takes some digging to find them, but it’s worth it.

Finally check your literary agent ID with these statements.

• An agent will want to interview you and ask questions about your writing and your process. (Fact.) 
• A writer should never ask agents questions. (Myth. Please interview the agent and check references. If an agent accepts your manuscript sight unseen, that’s a red flag.  Would a savvy Realtor do that?) 
• Agents sometimes work on a project-by-project agreement. Some want exclusive rights to all of your work (Facts.) 
• Once you’ve signed with an agent, you can’t “shop” your book to other agents or to publishers. (Fact.) 
• After you’ve been accepted by the agent or agency, the agent (or an assistant) may ask for some revisions. (Fact.) 
• You should be able to call or email your agent periodically to find out what’s happening. (Fact. Yes, but be patient.) 
• An agent can accept or reject an offer without your approval. (Myth. You will always be in on this decision. Your agent is not only there to negotiate the best contract possible, but on your team if problems occur.)
• When your book sells, an advance comes to the agent. The commission is deducted, and a check is reissued to you. (Fact.)

Questions?  Comments? Conundrums?  Please ask. I’m here for you.

Eva Shaw © 2019