Discover how to find, pitch, and work with literary agents to kickstart your publishing career in this ultimate guide.

Introduction

If you have a book-length work of fiction or creative nonfiction that you’d like to sell to a commercial publisher, securing a literary agent is essential. Agents act as professional advocates, connecting authors with editors who trust them to deliver polished, marketable manuscripts tailored to their publishing preferences. This representation significantly boosts your chances of landing a publishing deal.

Agents play a critical role beyond submissions—they negotiate contracts, handle rights sales, and manage long-term career development. To find agents specializing in fiction and creative nonfiction, visit our Literary Agents database.

Most literary agents take a standard commission of 15 percent from the sale of your book, ensuring they are invested in your success. While agents typically do not represent poets, this trend has been shifting as poetry gains commercial traction. Read "Agents for Poets: An Investigation" from the July/August 2020 issue of For The Writers Magazine for more on this evolving market.

What a Literary Agent Can Do for You
Finding the Right Literary Agent
The Query Letter
What You Should Know Before Signing a Contract
Literary Agents and Poets
Fee-Charging Agents
Understanding Different Types of Literary Agents
How to Handle Agent Rejections and Revise Accordingly
Career Management Beyond the First Deal
Conclusion: Turning the Page on Your Literary Journey

What a Literary Agent Can Do for You

A literary agent is more than just a middleman—they’re your career partner, guiding you through the complex world of publishing. Here’s what a great literary agent brings to the table:

1. Editorial Expertise

Provide in-depth editorial feedback to strengthen your manuscript before submission.
Help refine the story arc, pacing, and character development to make your book irresistible to publishers.

2. Publishing Industry Connections

Use established relationships with top editors and publishers to pitch your manuscript effectively.
Stay updated on industry trends, helping you adapt and target the right market for your work.

3. Contract Negotiation

Advocate for the best possible publishing contract, including royalties, advances, and subsidiary rights.
Ensure key clauses like reversion of rights, option clauses, and deadlines are fair and clearly defined

4. Rights Management

Handle foreign, film, TV, and audio rights sales, maximizing your book’s revenue potential.
Partner with sub-agents specializing in international and media rights.

5. Career Development

Offer strategic advice on future projects and long-term career goals.
Help build your author brand through publicity and marketing collaborations with the publisher.

With a skilled agent in your corner, you’ll navigate the publishing world with confidence and focus on what you do best—writing great books.

Finding the Right Literary Agent

Finding the right literary agent is about more than just sending queries—it’s about building a professional relationship that aligns with your career goals. Here’s how to identify the perfect match:

1. Research Books Similar to Yours

Make a list of recent, successful books in your genre or style.
Look up the authors’ acknowledgment pages, websites, or social media to identify their agents.
Consider literary awards and bestseller lists as sources for discovering agented works.

2. Compile a Targeted Agent List

Use reputable agent databases like Publishers Marketplace, AgentQuery, and our Literary Agents Directory.
Review agents' submission guidelines and areas of interest on agency websites.
Prioritize agents with a strong sales record and clients whose careers you admire.

3. Personalize and Send Query Letters

Tailor each query letter by referencing the agent’s past work or notable sales.
Mention specific reasons why your manuscript is a good fit for the agent’s list.
Send out 5-10 personalized queries at a time and track your submissions carefully.

4. Engage Professionally

Follow agents on social media to stay informed about their preferences and latest announcements.
Attend writers’ conferences, workshops, or literary festivals where agents may be available for one-on-one meetings.

5. Be Persistent but Strategic

Reassess your query letter and manuscript if you’re not receiving requests.
Consider mentorship programs or manuscript evaluations to improve your submission materials.

By conducting thorough research and crafting personalized submissions, you’ll increase your chances of finding an agent who believes in your work and is excited to champion your writing career.

Understanding Different Types of Literary Agents

1. Full-Service Agents

Full-service agents guide authors through every stage of the publishing process, from manuscript development to long-term career management. These agents provide editorial feedback, submit manuscripts to publishers, negotiate contracts, and secure subsidiary rights like foreign and film adaptations.

Example: ICM Partners, a leading global agency, represents bestselling authors such as Patricia Cornwell and Michael Chabon, managing not only book deals but also film and international rights.

2. Boutique Agencies

Boutique agencies offer a personalized, hands-on approach but may have fewer industry contacts or financial resources compared to larger firms. They focus on developing strong, individualized relationships with clients and tailoring submission strategies.

Example: The Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency (JVNLA) is a boutique firm known for nurturing long-term author relationships and representing award-winning authors like Alice McDermott.

3. Specialist Agents:

Specialist agents focus on specific genres or literary markets, including poetry, children’s books, memoirs, or graphic novels. These agents deeply understand their chosen niches, often having professional backgrounds in those areas.

Example: The Andrea Brown Literary Agency specializes in children’s and young adult literature, representing acclaimed authors like Laurie Halse Anderson and Jay Asher. By understanding these distinct types of literary agents, authors can better determine which agency aligns with their publishing goals and career vision.

How to Handle Agent Rejections and Revise Accordingly

Receiving rejections from literary agents can be disheartening, but it’s also an essential part of the publishing journey. Understanding how to process rejections and revise effectively can increase your chances of success. Here’s a practical approach:

1. Tracking Feedback

Stay Organized:

Keep a detailed spreadsheet or document listing the agents you’ve queried, submission dates, and responses.
Categorize feedback into specific themes, such as plot issues, character development, or pacing.

Why It Matters:

Identifying patterns helps distinguish isolated opinions from common concerns.
Even a generic “not a good fit” could signal a need for revision if repeated frequently.

2. Revising Your Pitch

Refine Key Materials:

Query Letter: Ensure your query is compelling, free of errors, and personalized.
Synopsis: Craft a clear, engaging synopsis highlighting the stakes, conflicts, and resolution.
Manuscript: If feedback points to recurring issues, consider deeper revisions or working with a professional editor.

Pro Tip: To strengthen your query, study successful examples within your genre to understand what grabs an agent’s or editor’s attention. Pay close attention to tone, structure, and how key story elements are highlighted. Additionally, join writing groups or connect with critique partners for valuable feedback and fresh perspectives. A second (or third) set of eyes can catch nuances you might overlook, helping you refine your query and boost your chances of success.

3. Knowing When to Move On

Evaluate Submission Progress:

If you’ve sent 50+ queries with no requests for more material, it’s time to reconsider your approach.
After extensive querying, explore alternative routes like smaller presses, contests, or self-publishing.

Stay Open-Minded:

Some authors find success by pitching a different project while reworking their current manuscript.
Consider querying new agents who have recently entered the industry and are actively building their lists.

Final Thought: Rejections are part of every writer’s journey. Use them as learning tools, refine your work, and persist. Every “no” brings you closer to the right “yes.”

Career Management Beyond the First Deal

A successful publishing career extends far beyond signing your first book deal. Managing your literary career requires strategic planning, adaptability, and ongoing collaboration with your agent.

1. Long-Term Strategy

Working with your agent on long-term career goals ensures you’re not just chasing one-off deals but building a sustainable writing career.

Develop a Multi-Book Plan: Collaborate with your agent to map out sequels, companion novels, or thematic series that can keep readers invested in your work.
Explore Diverse Publishing Opportunities: Consider expanding into new formats, such as audiobooks or serialized content on platforms like Kindle Vella.

Example: Brandon Sanderson’s career skyrocketed due to a long-term strategy involving interconnected book series and multimedia adaptations. His agent secured major publishing deals while negotiating multimedia rights, including film and TV adaptations.

2. Rebranding or Genre Shifts

Switching genres or rebranding as an author can be both exciting and challenging. A supportive literary agent plays a vital role in guiding this transition, helping you navigate new markets and reshape your author brand while ensuring continuity in your career.

Exploring New Genres:

Adapting Your Voice: Transitioning genres involves more than changing subject matter—it may require adjusting tone, narrative style, and pacing. Positioning Your New Work: A knowledgeable agent can redefine how your work is pitched, identifying the right editors, publishers, and marketing strategies. Example: If you’ve written literary fiction and want to explore psychological thrillers, your agent can advise on market trends, highlighting crossover appeal or suggesting revisions for broader commercial success.
Creating a New Author Brand: Pen Names and Market Strategy: Consider adopting a pen name if your new genre targets a distinct readership. This avoids market confusion while giving you creative freedom.

Example: J.K. Rowling successfully writes crime thrillers under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, keeping her fantasy legacy separate while building credibility in a different genre.
Brand Cohesion: If you prefer using your real name across genres, your agent can help maintain consistent branding by emphasizing thematic similarities or unique selling points in your work.

Success Stories:

Tana French’s Genre Evolution: French transitioned from literary fiction to acclaimed crime thrillers, with her agent securing tailored publishing deals that respected her evolving literary identity.
Neil Gaiman’s Multigenre Mastery: Writing across fantasy, graphic novels, and children’s literature, Gaiman’s consistent author branding showcases how a strong literary voice can transcend genres with the right representation.

Key Takeaways:

Communicate Goals Early: Be transparent with your agent about genre shifts or rebranding ambitions. Research the Market: Study genre expectations and trends, ensuring your new work aligns with current market demands. Stay Flexible: Be open to agent feedback on how best to position your work, whether through pen names, brand evolution, or project diversification.

With the right agent and a clear strategy, rebranding or shifting genres can unlock new creative possibilities while expanding your author career.

3. Negotiating New Contracts:

Contract renegotiation is essential as your career evolves. Your agent should actively pursue better terms as you gain experience and market visibility.

Renewal & Extension: If your original publishing contract included multiple books, discuss improved royalty rates and higher advances when renewing.
Reversion of Rights: Ensure that out-of-print works revert to you, allowing for potential republishing or adaptation deals.

Example: Neil Gaiman renegotiated terms for his works like Good Omens, ensuring creative control and lucrative adaptation deals for TV and film productions.

By managing your career proactively and working closely with your agent, you can adapt to industry changes, expand into new genres, and ensure the longevity of your writing career.

Conclusion: Turning the Page on Your Literary Journey

Securing a literary agent is more than just landing a book deal—it’s about finding a professional ally committed to your creative vision and long-term success. By understanding the role agents play, mastering the query process, and staying vigilant against scams, you’ll position yourself for publishing success. Remember, your writing journey doesn’t end with a signed contract—it evolves through strategic career management, adapting to industry shifts, and nurturing the relationship with your agent.

Looking for help with crafting a standout query letter? Revisit The Query Letter for expert tips. Curious about long-term career planning? Explore Career Management Beyond the First Deal for actionable advice on growing your writing career.

Whether you're crafting your first manuscript or renegotiating a major publishing deal, the right literary agent can turn your publishing aspirations into reality. Keep refining your craft, stay informed, and be persistent. With determination and the right representation, your literary career can thrive in a competitive, ever-changing industry.

Your next chapter awaits—start writing it today.

FOR THE WRITERS

Breaking Into Publishing: The Only Guide to Literary Agents You'll Ever Need