| Contemporary wisdom among the writing community | | | | sometimes they now sugar-coat it and call it |
| is that a literary agent is absolutely necessary if your | | | | "partnership publishing" with a small publisher. In this |
| book is to have any chance of being published. | | | | case I would seriously advise that you'd be better |
| Though an agent can certainly help, you don't need | | | | off self publishing, at least then you are in control of |
| an agent to publish a book. For example, John | | | | your intellectual property and marketing; not to |
| Grisham and Tom Clancy both published their first | | | | mention you will save yourself a stack of money. |
| novels without an agent, and so can you. | | | | Remember, the average book author who publishes |
| It partially depends on where you are submitting your | | | | through a traditional publisher only sells 18 books, so |
| book. If you want to publish your book with a | | | | depending on your circumstances, you may be better |
| big-name publishing house, you definitely need an | | | | off self publishing than going down the route of |
| agent. The big companies are so overwhelmed with | | | | "partnership publishing". |
| submissions, they need agents to be their partners | | | | New writers may feel rebellious when people say |
| finding books they want to publish. If you want to | | | | they need an agent. Agents take a percentage of |
| publish a book, but would rather not need an agent, | | | | your book's profits as their payment for helping you |
| find a smaller publishing company, or a self publishing | | | | publish your book. However, if an agent can get you |
| company. | | | | a better deal than you could get alone, even after |
| A good agent will help make sure your book is as | | | | paying the agent's fee, it would make sense to get |
| good as it can be, and work to get the best deal | | | | an agent if you're going to publish a book. |
| they can get once a company decides to publish | | | | If you decide you need an agent, take time to find a |
| your book. A bad agent will be so overwhelmed with | | | | reliable one. Get references and case studies of what |
| books and writers that he won't work to make sure | | | | they have done with their clients, so you can get a |
| you and your book are taken care of. You need an | | | | good assessment of their capabilities. Also find out |
| agent who will work for your best interests, if you | | | | what contacts they have, and if they have overseas |
| want to publish your book. | | | | contacts if that market appeals to you. |
| Beware of agents who will accept anyone's | | | | Finally, the intention is that your relationship is long |
| manuscript over the Internet, chances are they are | | | | and profitable, so make sure you get along! |
| trying to sell you a self publishing product, or | | | | |