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Back Do you need a Literary Agent? by Jim Wilson A literary agent represents writers and their written works to publishers and film producers and helps the offer in addition to deal negotiation. Literary agents usually represent novelists, screenwriters as well as big-name non-fiction authors. They are paid a defined percentage (ten to twenty percent; fifteen percent is normal) of the cash they deal with contracts on behalf of their clientele. Writers oftentimes look to agents for various reasons: a couple of popular, formidable, and profitable publishing houses do not accept unagented submissions. A wise agent knows the market, and may well be a wellspring of valuable profession advice and thought. Being a publishable author doesn't routinely make you an expert on the latest publishing contracts and practices, especially where television, film, or foreign rights are arranged. Very many writers prefer to have an agent respond to these cases. The reasons are varied. Some writers don't want to lose focus with monetary discussions. Literary agencies could range in size from a single agent who represents conceivably a dozen authors, to a large firm with senior partners, sub-agents along with clientele numbering in the hundreds. Most agencies will work at certain genres like cookbooks, horror novels or business books. Nearly no agents will represent short stories or poetry. Anyone may perhaps label himself/herself an agent in the book world, and can only legally take up to 20% of the customer's fee (15% is the norm). Legitimate agents in addition to agencies in the publishing world are not required to be members of the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR), nevertheless most are. Competent professional agents just about always learn their trade while working for another agent, however some cross over to agenting subsequent to working as editors. It routinely takes years for entry-level employees to turn out to be sub-agents in addition to procure their own collection of money making writers. They may someday think fit to strike out on their own and form a new agency, or they may settle down with their old agency to seek a promotion. Genuine agents do not charge reading fees, demand retainers, bill authors for the charges of submissions or other operating charges, or otherwise glean proceeds from any source other than the sales they make on their clients' service. They as well will not place their clientele' writings with a vanity press or subsidy press. Both these practices may indicate that the author is dealing with a dishonest agent. An added unsavory practice consists of referring the writer to a so-called Author's Biography: You can get a list of over 350 literary agents free at
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