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Getting a Literary Agent

Your complete guide to how to land a literary agent for your book, screenplay, or writing career.

What Does a Literary Agent Do?

A literary agent represents writers to publishers. They sell your manuscript to publishing houses, negotiate advances and contracts, manage subsidiary rights (film, translation, audio), and guide your career strategy.

For most traditional publishing deals, you need an agent. Major publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts directly — they only work through agents they trust.

Types of Literary Agents

Fiction Agents

Represent novels across genres — literary, thriller, romance, sci-fi, etc.

Non-Fiction Agents

Handle memoirs, self-help, business books, and narrative non-fiction

Screenwriting Agents

Sell scripts to studios and production companies

Children's/YA Agents

Specialize in picture books, middle grade, and young adult

Literary Agent Commission Rates

  • Domestic rights: 15% standard
  • Foreign/translation rights: 20% (often split with co-agent)
  • Film/TV rights: 15-20%
  • Never pay reading fees — legitimate agents only earn on sales

How to Land a Literary Agent

Understanding how to land an agent in publishing requires mastering the query process. Here's how successful authors do it:

1

Finish Your Manuscript

For fiction, your novel must be complete and polished. Non-fiction authors can query with a proposal and sample chapters.

2

Research Target Agents

Use resources like QueryTracker, Publishers Marketplace, and agent interviews to find agents who represent your genre and are open to queries.

3

Craft Your Query Letter

Your query is your pitch — a one-page letter with a hook, brief synopsis, your bio, and comparable titles. This is crucial.

4

Prepare Supporting Materials

Have your synopsis (1-2 pages) and first chapters ready. Different agents request different materials.

5

Submit in Batches

Send to 8-10 agents at a time. Wait for responses before next batch. Track everything in a spreadsheet.

What Literary Agents Look For

Green Flags

  • • Compelling, unique voice
  • • Strong hook in your query
  • • Clear genre positioning
  • • Polished, edited manuscript
  • • Platform (for non-fiction)
  • • Professional, patient attitude

Red Flags

  • • Agents who charge reading fees
  • • Require you to use their editor
  • • No verifiable sales record
  • • Accepting everyone who queries
  • • Very long response times (1+ year)
  • • Vague about their commission

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