Literary Agents: Are They Your Fairy Godmother or Just Another Villain in Disguise?

Alrighty, buckle up, y'all!

We're gonna talk about literary agents.

Are they a must-have for authors? Or are they just a pain in the ass?

​Well, let's break it down with a pros and cons list.

PROS:

1) Industry Knowledge: Okay, so let's start with the obvious one. Literary agents know the publishing industry inside and out. They know the right editors to pitch to, the trends in the market, and what makes a good book sell.

If you're a newbie writer, having a literary agent can give you a major leg up.

2) Connections: Along with their industry knowledge, agents also have connections.

They know editors, publishers, and other people in the biz who can help get your book in front of more eyes.

And let's be real, as a self-published author, you're probably not going to be able to get those same connections on your own(or not as quickly).

3) Negotiation: Another benefit of having an agent is that they can handle negotiations for you. They can get you a better deal on your advance, your royalties, and any other contract details.

Negotiating can be stressful as hell, so having someone who knows what they're doing can take a lot of pressure off.

CONS:

1) Cost: Okay, so one major drawback of having an agent is that they take a cut of your earnings 😭.

Typically, they'll take anywhere from 10-15% of your advance and royalties.

And while that might not sound like a lot, it can add up quickly.

So if you're self-publishing to make a full-time living, that extra percentage might not be worth it.
2) Finding the Right Agent: Another downside is that finding the right agent can be a major pain in the 🍑.

You have to research them, query them, and hope they even respond.

And if you do get an offer of representation, it might not be from someone you vibe with or who really understands your work.

So finding the right agent can take a lot of time and effort.
3) Lack of Control: Okay, so this one might be a bit controversial, but hear me out.

When you have an agent, you're giving up some control over your work.

They might want you to make changes to your book that you don't agree with.

Or they might want you to write in a different genre or style to make it more marketable.

And while that can be helpful in some ways, it can also be frustrating if you feel like you're not in control of your own work.

So there you have it, folks.

The pros and cons of having a literary agent as an author.

Is it worth it? Well, that's up to you to decide.

But hopefully, this list has given you some things to think about.

And if you do decide to go the agent route, just remember to do your research and find someone who really gets your work.

​If you're looking for an agent tune in tomorrow because I've got a special gift for you 🎁