Generally, indie publishers will accept direct submissions from authors, so you may choose to forgo working with a literary agent in this case. The exception is indie publishers, by which we mean small independent publishers who publish only a certain number of titles per year and generally have smaller distribution networks. While some do, the reality is that most will put significantly more weight on a submission from a literary agent. Which route should you choose?ĭepending on your manuscript and the publishers you’re targeting, you may not have a choice: Major publishers, including the “Big Five,” rarely accept unsolicited submissions directly from authors. Many authors feel more comfortable knowing they have the support and knowledge of a literary agent on their side. This process can prove intimidating, especially for new authors, and you may need to hire a lawyer to run through contracts with you.Ĭonversely, if you hire a literary agent, she’ll work with the publisher on your behalf, and you can rest easy knowing an industry expert is fighting for you. If you choose to go without a literary agent, you must query publishers yourself and then work directly with the publishing house to negotiate the best offer for your book. If you want to publish your book traditionally, you will have to work with a publisher. Publishers polish the text, design the book cover and interior layout, and may make other changes to your manuscript to make it more commercially viable before sending it to the printing presses and distributing it to readers. What’s a publisher?Ī publisher is the company that prints your book and gets it stocked in bookstores. ![]() This means agents have a clear incentive to work hard to get your book published. Their only payment is a commission, generally around 15%, of your advance and royalties. Honest and reputable literary agents never take an upfront fee. Your agent can also negotiate foreign publication rights, adaptation rights, and other opportunities connected with your manuscript. They often query several publishers at once, and if multiple publishers are interested in your manuscript, your agent can initiate a “bidding war” to make sure you get the best possible offer. Literary agents use their specialized industry knowledge to determine the most suitable publishers to approach. Your agent remains by your side throughout your publishing journey, negotiating offers, fighting for your rights, and providing moral support. The key differences What’s a literary agent?Ī literary agent will serve as your professional representative in the harsh world of publishing. Let’s take a look at the differences to help you decide the best path. One of the key dilemmas an author faces when trying to break into the publishing industry is whether to seek representation from a literary agent or query publishers directly. For the purposes of this post, however, we’ll focus on the traditional publishing industry. Some authors avoid the woes of traditional publishing by choosing to self-publish, which is a viable option worth considering. Now it’s time to show the world the masterpiece you’ve crafted.Ī warning: Getting published is difficult, and the publishing industry can be harsh on debut authors. Finishing a manuscript is an impressive feat, and you deserve to be proud. Take a moment to bask in the glory of this achievement. ![]() If you’re considering publication, that means you’ve finished your manuscript. This is a guest post by Luke Palder of Query Letter.
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