Literary Agents: Meaning Of Literary Agent and What They Do

What is a literary agent? What does a literary agent so? How to become a literary agent. Learn more about literary agents to writers and publishers.

Literary Agent

What is a literary agent? What does a literary agent do? How to become a literary agent? are some of the few questions that writers are likely to come across very often. Often times, there has been some misconception about the concept, literary agent and the actual role they perform as a representative of the writer.

Finishing a novel or other creative works, the hurdles don't end there. There comes the hurdle of finding the right publisher to publish one's book to the public. And that's where a literary agent comes in— they might be found at Literary Festival sometimes

In the same stance, getting hold of a good literary agent might prove difficult.

Going further through the article, you'll learn what a literary agent do, who they are, and how to become one if you have interest.

What Is A Literary Agent?

Literary Agent Meaning — A literary agent is a representative of the writers and their written works. They actually represent the business interest as well as present manuscript to potential publishers. 

The primary duty of a literary agent is to sell a book to a publisher, negotiate contracts between publishing houses theatrical or film producers by acting as an intermediaries between the writers and the publishers. 

How Are Literary Agents Paid?

Literary agents are often paid 10 to 20 percent of the sale of the written work he negotiated on behalf of the writer.

Industry standard for agents is a 15% commission on all book advances and royalties, and a 20% commission on overseas sales.

Is It Worth Getting A Literary Agent?

In a traditional publishing scenario, literary agents are essential and appears invaluable. Getting a literary agents makes it more probable to getting an editor to look at your manuscript.

 Aside this, there are some notable functions that literary agents perform that might positively affect the sales or the proposed contract.

What Does a Literary Agent Do?

If you're wondering what the roles of a literary agents are, here are some of the roles literary agents perform as a representative of the writers.

1.  Literary agents field new projects or submission.
2. They act as a representative to the writer.
3. They negotiate contracts between the writers and the publishers
4. They might also serve as a first-hand editor before submitting your manuscript proposal to a potential publisher. Thus, they review manuscripts.
5. They also act as a liaison between the writers and the publishers.