Need a New York
Literary Agent?

A New York literary agent represents writers in addition to their written works to publishers and film producers and supports the sale and deal negotiation. New York literary agents usually represent novelists, screenwriters along with sizable non-fiction authors. They are paid a confirmed percentage (ten to twenty percent; fifteen percent is typical) of the proceeds of sales they haggle on behalf of their clients.

Authors in many instances turn to agents for many and various purposes: a number of popular, dominant, and profitable publishing houses do not accept unagented submissions. A wise New York literary agent knows the marketplace, and might be a source of important profession advice and education. Being a publishable writer doesn't instantly make you an technical adviser on modern publishing contracts and practices, especially where television, film, or foreign rights are concerned. Many novelists think best to have an agent navigate these cases. The reasons are varied. Some writers don't want to lose focus with monetary matters.

Literary agencies may range in size from a single New York literary agent who represents perhaps a dozen authors, to a large firm with senior partners, sub-agents in addition to clients numbering in the hundreds. Most agencies will take on certain genres like history books, western novels or business books. Nearly no New York literary agents will represent short stories or poetry.

Any person may well label himself/herself an agent in the book world, along with can only legally take up to 20% of the customer's fee (15% is the norm).

Genuine New York literary agents along with agencies in the book world are not required to be members of the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR), but most are. Outstanding professional agents almost always learn their trade while working for another agent, however some cross over to agenting following working as editors. It routinely takes a long time for entry-level employees to turn out to be sub-agents as well as acquire their own string of marketable writers. They may ultimately decide to move forward on their own and form a new agency, or they may remain with their original agency in hope of rising to the top.

Authentic New York literary agents do not charge reading fees, demand retainers, bill authors for the expenditure of submissions or other operating fees, or otherwise gain proceeds from any source other than the sales they make on their clients' interest. They in addition will not place their clients' work with a vanity press or subsidy press. Both these practices may indicate that the writer is dealing with a fraudulent New York literary agent. An added untrustworthy practice entails referring the writer to a so-called "professional editor" or "manuscript doctor" who is in alliance with the agent. The resulting edit may or may not be suitable, or of professional quality, and is virtually often costly.

A customer typically establishes relationships with an New York literary agent through querying, albeit the two may meet at a author's conference, through a contest, or in other ways. A query is an unsolicited proposal for representation. Various agents request different parts in a query packet. It typically begins with a query letter that explains the purpose of the writings along with any writing qualifications of the writer.

If an New York literary agent is interested in a work, they will request a partial, which is typically a couple of chapters of your work. Frequently, contracts between agents and clientele are simply verbal; however, an increasing percentage of New York literary agents are turning to written contracts to make the deal explicit. Routinely, if you get a rejection letter it will be a form letter.