Last month, I told you I signed with a literary agent to represent my next fiction project.
Unless you live and breathe publishing as some of us do, you may be wondering what this means, why it matters, and what happens next.
What It Means to Have a Literary Agent
In simplest terms, literary agents work as liaisons between authors and publishers.
During this contractual relationship, agents will represent their authors’ work, contacting publishers on their behalf, negotiating book contracts, and helping ensure that publishers honor their obligations to their authors.
Landing a literary agent is not easy, but for me, having one matters.
Why Having a Literary Agent Matters
While it’s possible to get published without an agent (as I have done up to this point), there are some potential drawbacks to this approach.
For one thing, top publishers only work through agents, so representing your own work narrows your possibilities to small (“boutique”) or mid-size publishers.
In representing your own work, you also have to handle every step on your own, from quereying to pitching to contract negotiation.
Speaking from experience, it’s a lot.
But fortunately, I’m no longer in this alone.
What Happens Next
At this point, my agent and I have reviewed the state of my completed manuscript to ensure it’s ready to pitch. (It is!)
She’s gone through my book proposal and tailored it according to her in-house agency format and standards.
We’ve agreed on the first round of publishers we’re targeting and the best approach to take.
Now she pitches my book on my behalf.
And together, we wait.
I can’t wait to tell you more about this book. It’s different from anything I’ve written before.
You’re going to love it.
I’ll keep you updated as I can.
Keep your beady eyes peeled.