Demystifying Publishing Part 4 with @readwithriver
Literary Agents:The Fairy Godparents of Publishing
A very practical Cinderella story.
What does an agent do? Why do you want one? How do you choose one?
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A very practical Cinderella story.
Once upon a time there was a writer who could not get to the publisher’s ball to have her manuscript read. “Oh how I wish I could go to the ball.” Then one night after many years of wishing one of her queries* was answered! An agent appeared.
*See part three on How to Query.
Pumpkins and Glass Slippers
Her Fairy Literary Agent used her editing magic to dress up her manuscript and get the writer past the gates into the publisher’s ball to dance with the editor. Most editors especially at big houses will only look at manuscripts brought to them by agents. These editor-agent relationships are cultivated over many years. Even for publishers that accept open submissions (see part 3) manuscripts submitted by agents are seen faster and are given a response even if it is a reject. Instead of six months, you can expect half of that time frame or less for a response.
Once the writer’s work was past the gates, it was up to the writer to make the editor fall in love with her work. A Fairy Literary Agent can help you streamline your work, they can get you an audience with the best editors but, they can’t force an editor to love it or to like you. That’s your job. Editors call a meeting with the author before an offer is made to see if they will be easy to work with. You CAN talk yourself out of a book deal.
Not every publisher is one you want to work with. Agents look for skeletons in editors’ & publishers’ closets and steer their clients away from sketchy partnerships. They have a history of working with various editors and teams and they will know who will be the best fit for you and your work. Traditional publishing is a team sport.
Standard contracts are NEVER in the author’s best interests. Your agent negotiates for you until it is. Beforehand: financial matters like royalty percentage &, production matters like cover approval. During: intervening in decisions that negatively affect the integrity of your work. After: making sure your work continues to be in print and if it is not, fighting to revert rights back to you to resell. This is just a fraction of what they negotiate.
Agents usually make 15% of the author’s cut, from advance and royalties. They only get paid if you do.
This is NOT lucrative. Agents sometimes have second jobs, or take on more clients than they can reasonably handle to make a living wage. This is a career people choose because they love doing it, not because they’re trying to make a mint. A good question to ask an agent before working with them is how many clients they have and how much time they will have to work with you personally. No one is more personally invested in your success than your agent, their livelihood depends on it.
Having an agent is a relationship that ideally will last many years. It’s important you get along well. Often agents will take a client on for only one manuscript as a trial period. It is vital you have an agent who you trust & who shares the same editorial vision you do. Head to readwithriver.ca for resources in finding an agent & querying.
Resources to help you find Literary Agents:
US Literary Agent Listings
https://www.writersunion.ca/literary-agents
http://www.ardorlitmag.com/literary-agents.html
https://literaryagencies.com/literary-agents-childrens-books/
Read With River 