A literary agent is an
agent who represents
writer
A writer is a person who uses written words in different writing styles, genres and techniques to communicate ideas, to inspire feelings and emotions, or to entertain. Writers may develop different forms of writing such as novels, short sto ...
s and their written works to
publisher
Publishing is the activities of making information, literature, music, software, and other content, physical or digital, available to the public for sale or free of charge. Traditionally, the term publishing refers to the creation and distribu ...
s,
theatrical producer
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The performers may communi ...
s,
film producers, and
film studio
A film studio (also known as movie studio or simply studio) is a major entertainment company that makes films. Today, studios are mostly financing and distribution entities. In addition, they may have their own studio facility or facilities; how ...
s, and assists in sale and deal negotiation. Literary agents most often represent
novelist
A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living wage, living writing novels and other fiction, while other ...
s,
screenwriter
A screenwriter (also called scriptwriter, scribe, or scenarist) is a person who practices the craft of writing for visual mass media, known as screenwriting. These can include short films, feature-length films, television programs, television ...
s, and non-fiction writers.
Reputable literary agents generally charge a commission and do not charge a fee upfront. The commission rate is generally 15%.
Diversity
Literary agencies can range in size from a single agent who represents perhaps a dozen authors, to a substantial firm with senior partners, sub-agents, specialists in areas like foreign rights or licensed merchandise tie-ins, and clients numbering in the hundreds. Most agencies, especially smaller ones, specialize to some degree. They may represent—for example—authors of science fiction, mainstream thrillers and mysteries, children's books, romance, or highly topical nonfiction. Very few agents represent short stories or poetry.
Legitimate agents and agencies in the book world are not required to be members of the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR), but according to ''
Writer's Market'' listings, many agents in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
are. To qualify for AAR membership, agents must have sold a minimum number of books and pledge to abide by a Canon of Ethics.
See also
*
Writer's Market
*
List of UK literary agencies
References
Further reading
* Curtis, Richard (2003) ''How To Be Your Own Literary Agent: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published''.
* Herman, Jeff (2005) ''Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents, 2006''. .
* Fisher, Jim (2004) ''Ten Percent of Nothing: The Case of the Literary Agent from Hell''.
* Glatzer, Jenna (2006) ''The Street Smart Writer''.
* Williams, Sheri (2004) "An Agent's Point of View".
* Reiss, Fern (2007) "The Publishing Game: Find an Agent in 30 Days".
External links
{{Authority control
Occupations in literature
Entertainment occupations