If you are reading this, it means that you have or are about to complete your manuscript and are ready to enter the publishing world. As any smart writer, you may also understand the importance of having a literary agent by your side.
While many literary agents offer their services, it is important to know that you cannot rely solely on the great words they have to say for themselves.
As an author, you only want to trust the best professional with your work. It can take some effort and time to find the right literary agent for your book.
Here are some tips you need to recognize the real literary agent for yourself.
- Be Wary of Scammers
Finding the ideal literary agents in Texas or anywhere else in the world can be more challenging than you may think. While you may see many advertisements for literary agents offering their services at unbelievable rates, you cannot believe everything you see.
Scammers are always looking for vulnerable individuals. Hence, authors, especially those without experience, are ideal targets for them. They may try to lure you in through different forms of advertisement and benefits.
Remember that a good literary agent does not rely on cheap advertisements on the back of a magazine or pushy ads on different websites. Instead, they define a proper journey for authors seeking a personal agent to find them.
- Avoid Paying Upfront
One of the biggest mistakes you can make while finding a literary agent is paying upfront fees under any title. If someone asks you to pay upfront fees using different excuses, such as contract fees, administrative fees, editing fees, or any other excuse, they are likely trying to scam you.
Most reputable literary agents in the industry work on a commission basis. It means that they cannot charge you anything until the time your book is sold to a publisher and share any royalties that you earn afterward.
Currently, the standard commission for domestic sales is 15%, while foreign sales often have a standard commission in the range of 20-25%. You can predetermine these percentages before finalizing the contract with your literary agent.
- Skim Through Agented Work
The next important step in finding the right literary agent is to look for work they have agented on their website. Literary agents are proud of the publishers they mainly work with, so they have no reason to hold their names back.
When you look at the names of publishing houses your agent has worked with, you will see some recognizable names that will give you confidence about the legitimacy of the literary agent that you are considering.
If your agent claims that they do not want to share the names of their writers due to confidentiality reasons, you may want to be extra careful when working with them. Take your time to review their credentials and validate their professional claims.
- Seek AALA Membership
AALA (Association of American Literary Agents) is an organization for every professional working with a literary agency. If the literary agent you are considering is a member of the AALA, this is a good sign.
An AALA membership represents that your agent has a track record that helped them qualify for AALA membership. However, it does not mean that you put your complete trust in the first literary agent that you see with the AALA membership.
Take your time doing your research, and do not forget to listen to your gut. Look at their credentials and track record of sales. If your gut tells you to explore more options, go ahead. It is better to have the right agent by your side, even if it takes a bit of time.
- Insist on Different Communication Modes
One of the most important signs that tell you about the legitimacy of the literary agent that you are considering is that they do not hesitate to use different modes of communication. While most conversations start electronically, they do not have to stay limited to that.
If you feel a literary agent is becoming a better match to promote your book, try asking them for a phone number exchange. Have a conversation with them over the phone instead of waiting for their next mail to arrive.
If you find the opportunity, you can also consider arranging a quick in-person meeting with your literary agent. Meeting them in person and learning about their expertise can be very reassuring for the author. This way, they will make the right call confidently.
- Ensure Free Edits
If a literary agent tries to charge you for editing or generally polishing your work, they may be trying to take advantage of you as a new writer. Such literary agents are not worth trusting or working with. They may try to take advantage of you whenever possible.
Be sure that a literary agent will help you polish your manuscript for free to boost its chances of being published. Instead of charging for this service, they will get paid for their services at the predefined commission rate between you and them.
- Look Out for Adjunct Services
Many novice authors rely on the vast network of their literary agents to boost the potential of their work. They can help you meet several important professionals, such as illustrators, book cover designers, and genre-relevant publishers.
While these connections can be very useful for novice authors, remember that none of these services can be imposed on you. A literary agency cannot try to sell you a service as a part of their package. The final choices always lie on your end.
An agent’s primary responsibility is to assist you in making money, not squandering it on different purposes. Since an agent’s earnings are solely dependent on your earnings, their focus must be ensuring your satisfaction and success.
Surely, they can get you in touch with brilliant professionals, and many of them will be able to help you. However, make every choice carefully and trust your instinct at every step you take.
