Ask the Book Doctor: About Literary Agents

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by Bobbie Christmas

Q: Do I really need a literary agent if I want to sell my book to a publisher?

A: The answer depends on your manuscript. Some publishers—it seems mostly smaller publishers of nonfiction—accept submissions directly without the need of an agent. Most bigger publishers and publishers of fiction accept submissions only through agents. Their logic is that the agents do the hard upfront work of reading through hundreds of submissions and picking only the best to submit to the publisher. 

Research the publishers you’re interested in and see if they accept unagented submissions. If they don’t, then yes, you need to find an agent, and no one claims that the process of finding an agent is easy.

Q: What’s the best way to find a literary agent?

A: You’ll find listings for agents and their preferences on several websites, including Reedsy and others. Some websites claim to list agents but want you to pay for or subscribe to something or other to get their lists. Don’t fall for gimmicks when the same information is free elsewhere. 

Finding a list is just the beginning. You’ll next need to go to agents’ websites to see if they’re accepting submissions and what genres they prefer. Sending a mystery novel to an agent who represents only nonfiction would be a waste of time, for example. Once you have a list of a few agents who represent the type and genre of your manuscript, you must then read and follow the exact way each one wants to receive submissions. Most agents these days no longer accept submissions through the mail. Some accept email submissions; others accept submissions only through Submittable, a digital way for writers to connect with potential agents and publishers. Some agents have a form to fill out on their own websites.

The vital thing is to know exactly what agents want in a submission. Some want only a query letter. Some want a query letter and ten sample pages. Some want a query letter, a proposal, an outline, and thirty sample pages. Agents’ requirements differ, so you must be sure to follow the method each agent wants. 

The next step is patience. Most agents need a month or two to wade through the many submissions they receive every day. In addition most agents won’t get back to you unless they are interested, so all you get in return is silence. A few have automatic email responses that at least reassure you that they have received your submission.

Q: Is it okay to submit my manuscript to more than one agent at a time?

A: In the old days when agents received only printed submissions, it was standard to include the mention that it was a multiple submission. Some agents didn’t accept multiple submissions. Now that we’re in the digital age it’s become common to submit manuscripts to multiple agents, but with a few courtesies in mind.

If more than one agent requests the full manuscript, let both or all of them know that you may be considering multiple offers. You may even set a deadline for when you will make a decision. 

Some agents will ask for exclusivity when they request a full manuscript. Respect that agent’s request and don’t submit your manuscript elsewhere until the end of the exclusivity period. 

Q: How much do I have to pay a literary agent?

A: If an agent asks you to pay a fee before representing you, run! You’ve found a scammer. Legitimate literary agents don't charge upfront fees. They work on a commission basis, usually taking 15 percent of any royalties the publisher pays. They are able to get your manuscript in the hands of publishers you couldn’t have reached on your own, and they work hard to negotiate the best deal on your behalf. They definitely earn their fees. 

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Bobbie Christmas is a book editor, author of Write In Style: Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing, and owner of Zebra Communications. She will answer your questions too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or BZebra@aol.com. Read Bobbie’s Zebra Communications blog at https://www.zebraeditor.com/blog/ or visit https://www.zebraeditor.com/.