How do I get an agent and how much do they cost?

To find your ideal literary agent you need to be very clear on what you want for yourself and for your book. Making sure you do your research on who represents your genre by using the various search engines.

Another way of finding your agent is to sign up for publications such as The Bookseller, Writers and Artists Yearbook or Publishing Weekly. These will have listings for the different agents and are filled with publishing news, which will also help you out in a number of ways.

You’ll then need to craft a compelling query letter, along with a book and business proposal, following all submission guidelines. Just be aware that if an agent already has a similar story to yours already in the pipeline, it won’t matter if your book or proposal is better, the agents won’t drop the other author.

You may also find networking at writing conferences, in online writing communities such as the #writingcommunity on LinkedIn, TikTok or X will help.

Depending on what your perception of cost is, the amount the literary agents will cost you will vary. If you are talking financially, agents typically work on a commission basis, earning a percentage of usually around 15% of the earnings from your book sales. They may also take commissions on other deals such as merchandising and translation rights into other countries. 

If you’re talking about costs in terms of control, sleep and other intangible aspects of book publishing and distribution, then make sure the agent communicates their ‘why’ for being a book agent.  

Do bear in mind though, what an agent takes for their hard work and expertise is why you are hiring them in the first place. It is sometimes better to take 85% of something than 100% of nothing or a lot less. 

If you really want to get published and be successful without needing the permission of an agent, then consider investing in yourself and your vision with my 7 Week Author Course, author coaching and publishing services!