In my country, Indonesia, we have a different system to be a novelist. What I mean here is different than in America or Europe. In Indonesia we don’t need literary agent at all, and the major publisher usually told us to send our full work straight to their editor. It will need 1 -3 month to decide whether our novel received or not by them. Just as simple like that?. But America, the dream land of uncle Sam, it need more than just a good work to be a good novelist, you really need an agent in almost every job. Well, not really. But you need a good agent to be a good novelist in America.
What is literary agent?
A literary agent is exactly an agent for literary works. Literary agents represent books. They do not represent stage plays, screenplays, or television scripts. You find those agents in Hollywood. What’s important to know is that literary agents function as the middleman between you unknown unpublished writer of a brilliant first book and the Major New York Publishers. Literary agents have the contacts in the New York publishing world (and beyond) to get your book sold. Literary agents negotiate publishing contracts, sell subrights like foreign rights and media and electronic rights, and just plain manage your financial and business affairs so you can focus on your literary business of writing.
Do I need a literary agent to get published?
You don’t need a literary agent to get published in literary magazines or small independent presses. But it helps to have a literary agent if you want your book published by the New York Big Boys. Sure, with networking connections or nepotism, you may not need a literary agent. You may be able to weasel your manuscript onto the desk of a high-level editor, spark her interest, and garner a two-book sale. It’s been done before. We’re sure it’ll be done again.
For everybody else, we recommend getting an agent. We wouldn’t have bothered slaving away on Agent Query if we didn’t think it was imperative. Literary agents have connections you don’t. Good literary agents are one-degree-of-separation away from the editors who decide to buy or not to buy. Good literary agents are tuned into the literary trends. They know which publishing imprints publish which kinds of books. They hobnob with those editors over lunch. They’re like mini-gods running the literary universe. For better or for worse, they serve as the first gatekeepers in the screening process. Okay, it’s true. Too many writers competing for the attention of a small pool of movers and shakers. But write a fabulous timely book, and you’ll shoot right through.
Do I have to be previously published to get a literary agent?
No. Here, we’ll say it again in case we weren’t clear the first time: NO. Write a fantastic heart stopping novel and write it brilliantly. Then, you too my friend, will get a literary agent. Write a viable nonfiction book in a genre that you hold some verifiable credentials, and literary agents will say, Yes, I can sell this. Write a children’s picture book and well, okay, it might help to be previously published if you’re trying to publish a children’s picture book. But hey, anything is possible. Gotta try. Always try.
Do I pay a fee to be represented by a literary agent?
Yes, but never an upfront fee. Literary agents earn their living by selling a book’s publishing rights to various domestic and foreign publishers. Then they charge a commission on the sale. Here’s a more familiar example. Ever work with a real estate agent? They charge you a commission when they sell your house to someone else, right? Literary agents work the same way. Literary agents charge a commission whenever they sell the publishing rights (and various subrights) of a book. Standard commissions range from 10-15% for the sale of domestic rights and 15-20% for foreign rights. Major Publishers pay authors an advance against royalties. A literary agent negotiates the terms of the sale, and then collects a commission for her hard work. So let’s put this in perspective (with a little fantasy thrown in for good measure).
You write a fabulous first novel. Everyone loves it. Ten agents want to represent you. You pick tough-talking, fast-selling Ms. Agent, and she sells your debut novel to a Major Domestic Publishers for a low-six figure advance against royalties. That means you get $100,000 up front guaranteed cold hard cash whether or not your book is a run-away bestseller. Of course, it is. This is fantasy, right? You sell 50,000 copies in its first week’s release. It’s a smash. You’re a star. And the money keeps rolling in. Royalties and all. Every book sold, you get a cut. And your literary agent keeps track of it all, taking her commission in the process. Don’t worry, she’s worth it. She’ll organize your 15 city author’s book tour, your bookings with Charlie Rose, and your interview with the New York Times Book Review. And that’s just the beginning. Ms. Agent will be worth a 1000% commission, and you’ll only have to pay her 15-20%. Pretty sweet deal.
Well… After all you can see that actually my country should follow a very good trend in Uncle Sam dream land. Just contact my agent, because I’m to famous to talk with thousand of fans and publishers that’s trying to know me, to get some dollars by make a deal with me. My agent will do that for me. It sounds fun, very fun. I can concentrate only to write a good novel. Perhaps, I will look for an agent for myself ?
Good luck for you all, the Next Brilliant Novelist!!
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