Literary Agents are the link between the author and medium and large (and the more prestigious academic) presses. If your book does
not fit one of those categories, you may not need a literary agent. Agents walk the author through the publishing process, helping with
crafting the materials, positioning it for the marketplace, submitting it to the publisher, navigating through the often-labyrinthine world
of publishing, and generally holding the author’s hand and providing both a cheering section and a sounding board. They also sell the
book to foreign markets, where appropriate, as well as dramatic (TV and film), audio, and other rights. They charge between 15%-
20% for their services.
Research the Agents: Find reputable agents through Literary Marketplace, Writer’s Digest, agentresearch.com,
literaryagents.net, publisherslunch.com, and a variety of other hardcopy and electronic sources. Members of the
“AAR” (Association of Authors’ Representatives) are preferable.

Step #6: Learn Submission Guidelines

Whether you’re approaching a direct-submission publisher or a literary agent, the process remains the same.
1. Begin by learning what materials the publisher/agent wants to see. Generally, most publishers/agents don’t want to see
the entire book (or even proposal) if they haven’t asked for it – that’s called an “unsolicited submission,” and is frowned
upon in the industry.
2. You’ll start by submitting a “query” – asking the publisher/agent if s/he wants to see your materials. When you research
the publishers and agents, the research guides you use will tell you their submission guidelines for these “queries”.
3. Most queries consist of a cover letter +
• Sample materials (especially if fiction);
• Proposal (especially if nonfiction)
• Clips of previous work.
But do your research ahead of time – find out what the publisher / agent wants to see.
Step #7: Submit Your Materials
Send the publisher / agent the materials listed in Step #7. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope (“SASE”).

Step #8: Wait

How long is too long? For fiction, the wait can easily be up to 6 months, or more, to hear from both publishers and agents; but it’s often much sooner than that. As a general rule, give the publishing professional two months to respond. If you don’t hear from them, send a polite follow-up letter. It’s always best to have something (new, exciting, wonderful) to report – an award won, a prestigious speaking engagement confirmed, and so forth.

Step #9A: ACCEPTANCE!: Publisher/Agent Responds Positively

If the Agent/Publisher is interested, s/he may ask to see the rest of the materials (either exclusively or nonexclusively). If s/he remains interested, find out:
1. Assess Publisher/Agent: is the publisher/agent reputable?
• Direct Submission Publishers: Talk to other authors, see the quality of other books they’ve done, discuss distribution,
how often the books are reviewed, and by whom, and what kind of publicity (if any) you can expect.
• Literary Agents: Talk to other authors, check out agentresearch.com, find out if the agent is reputable, and if you feel
that the agent’s style is compatible with your own.
2. Review Contract.
• Direct Submission Publishers: be sure to have a qualified attorney review your contract. All publishing contracts are
not created equal.
• Literary Agents: many literary agents offer “retainer agreements”, but not all do. If they do, have a qualified attorney
review the agreement. If they don’t, draft one yourself.
3. Publishing Process Begins.
• Direct Submission Publishers: your project goes through the editing/production process.
• Literary Agents: you work with the agent, perhaps, to edit the project; the agent submits the project to medium, large,
and academic presses. If accepted by the publisher, your agent negotiates the contract and your project goes through the
editing/production process.

Step #9B: REJECTION!: Publisher/Agent Does Not Respond Positively

Don’t take it personally – there are a lot of would-be authors, and fewer and fewer publishers to publish them. If you’re not having much luck, here are some suggestions:
1. If you’re receiving all “form” rejections, start over at Step #1 – be sure that the writing is strong, your platform is strong,
and the book can be classified into a specific genre.
2. If you’re receiving personalized rejections, review Step #3 to be sure that your book is going to the right venue. If you
continue to receive rejections, start over at Step #1.
3. Remember: the rejection shouldn’t be taken personally. Publishing’s a very subjective business.
4. Be persistent. Try to figure out what’s wrong with your presentation, and fix it.

© Jeff Kleinman 2003

Jeff Kleinman is one of the principal agents of Folio Literary Management, LLC . He’s a graduate of Case Western Reserve University (J.D.), the University of Chicago (M.A., Italian), and the University of Virginia (B.A. with High Distinction in English).

As an agent, Jeff feels privileged to have the chance to learn an incredibly variety of new subjects, meet an extraordinary range of people, and feel, at the end of the day, that he’s helped to build something – wonderful book, perhaps, or an author’s career. His authors include Yolanda King, Philip Gerard, Barbara Holland, and Ron McLarty.