By: Shanna Hovley
When starting authors think about publishing their novels, they often think about their dream publishing house. What many don’t realize is there is now the need for an agent.
What is a Literary Agent?
Literary agents are the go-between for authors and publishers. Publishers like them because they act as a quality control for submissions, ensuring that what makes it to their desk is polished and potentially publishable. Authors like them because they are familiar with the industry and have an already established network of who they can pitch the books. Not every publishing route needs an agent, but authors should be familiar with who they are and what they do anyway.
What do they do?
Agents field new submissions and some will even provide feedback on a manuscript to help it have the best chance of publication. Just because they offer suggestions and edits doesn’t mean you should try and pitch to an agent without completing and polishing your book. They are still looking for quality manuscripts they can use to pitch to publishers.
An agent will also represent an author and negotiate publication contracts on the author’s behalf. They should be familiar with these kinds of contracts even if they don’t have a legal background. They will never take money upfront or purchase the rights to your books. They will contract for a portion of royalties or other money you’ll receive upon actually selling your work. If they don’t sell to a publisher for you, they don’t get paid.
How do you get one?
Finding the right agent can be a challenge, similar to finding the right agent to list your house. Do research and find an agent who’s a good match for you. Check their sales numbers, communication style, enthusiasm, and their understanding of the industry. Remember, just because an agent is new and doesn’t have the same numbers as an established agent doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be a good match. Often new agents are more aggressive and harder working to make their mark in their field.
You can find them on places like the Publishers Marketplace or local writing conferences. Social media is also a great place to find and connect with agents. Check their sites for submission details and don’t try to submit when they are closed to submissions, even if they are your most favorite.
What do you submit to them?
If good has happened and you’ve found an agent, how do you take this good and make it the best? Start by submitting the right things. An unfortunate way to disqualify yourself from a potential agent is by submitting more or less than they asked for. Don’t even send a full manuscript in an initial email.
Query letters are a standard way to reach out to an agent. They include information on your genre, word count, and book comparisons. This is where you pitch your story and yourself as an author.
Novel synopsis are something you should also prepare to submit to an agent. They are a breakdown of the plot of your novel.
Sample chapters can be trickier. If you have a request for sample chapters for a fiction novel, only send chapters from your beginning. They aren’t looking for the middle or the end, even if you think they are some of your best work. If you are submitting for nonfiction, you can send any chapter you’d like.
Full manuscript requests are rare as an initial message exchange, but they can still happen. Make sure your novel is as polished and ready as possible before submitting. Remember, don’t query an agent before your novel is ready. If you take too long getting it finalized, they may close their inbox, and you’ll have lost that chance to submit to them.
Submitting to agents can be intimidating, and many authors aren’t sure if their work is ready. Editors often offer services for checking a book's publishability or even going over query letters or synopsi. They also are able to help edit a book’s plot or polish for submission. Working together, you can get your book in front of the right people.
“There is nothing more refreshing for an editor than to meet a writer or read a query that takes him completely by surprise.” Betsy Lerner