Can I trust a literary agent?

There’s a high level of trust involved in an agent-author relationship — on both sides. Authors have to trust that their agent is doing their best, and agents have to let authors write. Don’t micromanage your agent by telling them how to do their job. Sign with an agent you trust and respect from the start.

Who is the best literary agent in the world?

Best Literary Agents for Fiction | Arranged by Book Genre

• Robert Gottlieb (Trident Media Group)
• Kimberly Whalen (The Whalen Agency)
• Marly Rusoff (Marly Rusoff & Associates)
• Jenny Bent (The Bent Agency)
• Russell Galen (Scovil Galen Ghosh Agency)
• Steven Axelrod (The Axelrod Agency)
• Kevan Lyon (Marsal Lyon Agency)

How much does a literary agent make per book?

While there are a few exceptions, the most common commission for a literary agent is 15%. If an agent places a book with a publisher and negotiates a $25,000 advance, that agent will take out their 15% (or $3,750) and send the rest (or $21,250) to their client.

Does it matter who your literary agent is?

People in the industry should recognize the name of your agent. Again, publishing is relationship driven, so editors and publishers should know who your agent is. If you can’t find any online mention or reference to your agent, and they’re not a member of AAR, that’s a red flag.

Can a publisher steal your manuscript?

Here’s why reputable agents and publishers are not going to steal from you. They can’t steal it wholesale because you can show that you wrote it and submitted it. By writing it, you automatically own the copyright to those words. (Not the ideas, that would require a patent.)

Do literary agents edit manuscripts?

A good literary agent will often edit or critique a manuscript and offer valuable suggestions to increase its marketability.

Do you pay literary agents?

Agents generally are paid a fee of between 10 and 20 percent of sales that they help negotiate on behalf of the writer they represent.