4 Tips For Finding The Right Literary Agent
Discover how experts always find the right literary agent - A step-by-step guide!
Finding the right literary agent is often a critical step on the path to getting your manuscript published. However, with the publishing world evolving, knowing where to start and what to look for is essential. This article highlights invaluable tips to help aspiring authors find the perfect literary agent they need to bring literary dreams to life.
Look for Authenticity
Anyone can declare themselves as a literary agent in the publishing world. There's no requirement for specific qualifications, membership in a governing body, or even relevant experience. Scammers impersonate well-known agents and request fees for various services. If you pay, they'll continue asking for more, creating a never-ending cycle.
Some warning signs of problematic agents are classic, such as charging reading fees, lacking knowledge about the market, or refusing to submit your work to places you couldn't submit yourself. If you find anything during your interaction questionable, paying attention to those warnings is crucial.
Evaluate Track Record and Background
It's essential to conduct thorough research when considering a literary agent. Check if the agent has a suitable background and a successful book sales track record. You can avoid potential pitfalls by making responsible and thoughtful choices. Look closely at the authors the agent represents and the books they have successfully sold. Assess whether your work aligns with the existing body of work they represent.
The agent's track record doesn't necessarily need to be extensive. Depending on the manuscript you're presenting, signing with a younger and less experienced agent at a mid-sized or large agency is more advantageous. Such agents are often diligently building their client list while benefiting from guidance from senior agents. Therefore, it's not always the wisest choice to immediately approach the most prominent names in the world of literary agents. Even if they are open to new clients, their schedules are frequently filled with established authors.
Match Categories and Potential
Approaching a literary agent with work in a category they don't typically represent isn't a productive move. Even if you feel a strong connection with an agent or had a great encounter with them at an event, they may not be the best fit to market your work. It's far more advantageous to approach agents who handle categories that align with your work and have a track record of successfully selling that material to publishers.
You should have a comprehensive understanding of the categories your work belongs to, identify successful authors within those categories, and determine which publishers are releasing the works of those authors. Consider whether major publishing houses or independent presses publish successful books in your genre or if they are self-published.
Consider Your Compatibility
Compatibility is the key that ties everything together. While creating a delicate balance between your work, the literary agent, and the publisher is difficult, it's crucial for your long-term success. Therefore, choosing the right literary agent for your career is essential.
This decision should be made with the long term in mind, as frequently changing agents can harm your career and professional reputation. Once you engage with a highly enthusiastic literary agent for your work, ensure you align on other critical aspects. The agent should be confident in their ability to sell the manuscript you've presented and broadly agree with your vision for your career.
Row House is a disruptive publishing company offering a new, transparent, and equitable model to publish groundbreaking books in wellness, community, health, psychology, memoir, politics, spirituality, children’s literature, parenting, business, LGBTQIA+, and other genres. We offer an equitable publishing model that represents the values and diversity of the authors and audience we embrace. To learn about our publishing process, visit our website.