You've done it: You have written a stand-out story, worked out the kinks and have a good-to-go manuscript in hand ready for reader consumption.

Or so you think.

Ahead of you is a long and winding path, and for those seeking to publish traditionally through a publishing house the competition for attention has never been more difficult - even if you have a stellar book in your hands! It is at this point a basic Google search will present you with a shortcut: get yourself a literacy agent.

A little more digging and you will discover that for the privilege of having an agent, you will likely be agreeing to give around 15% of your book's earnings to them.

15%?! I hear you cry in outrage. I wrote the book, why should someone who isn't even a publisher themselves get an easy chunk of my financial gain?

To be fair, it is important to know where your potential earnings may slip off to in the publishing process and weighing up your options sensibly will stop you losing out. So, the question remains: is finding a literacy agent worth it?

To answer this, you would need to understand the role these agents will play in getting your manuscript into the hands of excited readers worldwide. Let's take a good look at what you would be paying for and ask the all important question: should you pair up with a literacy agent?

The Basic Job Role

In short, you can detail a literacy agent's job as the following: finding high-quality works and helping their authors achieve the highest level of success possible. These agents will have contacts in the publishing business and can be your middle man (and often your foot in the door) to major publishing houses. They take care of the business side of things so that you can focus on what you're best at, namely, being an author. This would free up your time drastically, leading to more opportunities to expand on your creativity. An agent would also be looking for long-term prospects and helping you make decisions you'll benefit from further down the line.

Sounds pretty good, right? But let's roll back a bit.

How Do You Secure An Agent?

I'll be upfront: to secure a fantastic agent will take more than most writers have. Its statistics. Julia Churchill, a successful and talented literary agent currently working under A. M. Heath, is blunt:

'Some of my clients came to be as established authors wanting to take their careers up a gear, but most have come via my slush pile, as debut authors. I get well over 100 submissions a week, and I may take on a new writer every few months (if I'm lucky).'

This puts a bit of pressure on you - are you ready to reach out to as many agents as possible, manage expectations and be prepared to potentially join a mountain of manuscripts just for the representation? For some, this is where the hassle becomes too much. However, it is important to remember that overcoming this hurdle will make the rest of your path a good deal smoother! Another important note is this: if you are picked up by an agent, you can be confident your work has quality and promise. After all, someone is willing to work for your and your book on its potential. Reputable agents do not charge upfront for their efforts, earning via commission rather than through fees. Whilst you take a risk in entrusting your book's success in the hands of the agent, the agent arguably takes a higher risk working for free until you start seeing returns!

How To Sell Your Book To An Agent

But what if an agent passes up on representing you - does that mean you failed as a writer? No! An agent may have many reasons not to take you on that have nothing to do with your talent:

• Some literary agents specialise in certain fields or genres, even sub-genres, and if you aren't within their niche it is only natural you both seek a better partnership elsewhere.

• Responsible agents know their own limitations: it may be they do not feel qualified enough to lead you the way you deserve.

• The world of fiction and non-fiction are no strangers to trends, and an agent who places a lot of importance in them will question if your book will ride a trend wave or go against its current

• Your story is not 'evergreen', meaning it will not have longevity. This is often the case with books connected to movements, social agendas and fads. Ample success is still 100% possible, but some agents will feel better with some long-term relevance.

• Your manuscript still needs a little too much work for them to get a good sense of its potential.

The good news is that agents typically give honest reasons why they pass on a piece of work so you are unlikely to be left in the dark as to how to proceed. So, you have chosen to go down the route of finding a literary agent. You sent out your manuscript and managed to grab the attention of someone ready to take you and your book on. After a little back and forth, you are both ready to go on this adventure together. Now what?

What specifically will they do now? Let's dissect.

Working Out Kinks

They may have loved your manuscript's potential, but you may still find yourself being at the receiving end of an agent's constructive critisism. To be fair, this is to be expected: agents will be putting their reputations on the line for your book when they approach publishing houses on your behalf and it is in their best interests to make sure it is pristine.

Be prepared for editorial notes, outside help being brought in to tighten up areas, and perhaps some serious re-writes before you can step back. A decent agent will likely have a good idea how they will market the book - think literature trends and company wish-lists - and together you should agree how you will iron out the creases. Agents want to bring out the best in your piece for both your sakes: listen carefully to their recommendations. Churchill comments:

'Every edit is different. We may sit down together for a cup of tea and talk through the book, exploring such questions as: What does the writer do best? Where does the story lose focus? How can we keep raising the stakes? Why does this section not work? Is it needed? Is the story pulling in too many directions? What is the book about, in both small and big ways?'

The bottom line is that anything the agent can do to stand a better chance of a book deal - no, a good book deal - they will strive to do when they agree to represent a writer.

Matchmaking

With your manuscript stunning, it is still for you as the writer to step back and let the agent work their magic to find you the perfect publisher. This matchmaking process can take many forms but here are some elements broken down:

One or many? - The agent may have an editor or publishing house already in mind, knowing your work would be best served in specific hands. This is likely to be the case if they are aware of the current desires of different places or if your book meets unique criteria. On the other hand, your story may be desirable to many, and it is the agent's responsibility to get the attention of as many potential 'buyers' as possible to see where they can get you the best arrangement.

Your first fan - Once they have an editor's attention, your agent will be an objective voice in the room, explaining why they think your book deserves their support. This is often why agents are picky about what writers they represent: they have to truly believe in your story and sell it like your number one fan would. Along with industry know-how, professional connections and awareness of what editors want, they are in a much better position than you to stir up excitement.

Heading to auction - This does not happen with every book, but it is a normal part of some processes. If a book garners multiple editor eyes, the agent will then conduct an auction between all parties to put their best offers forward. You will be kept in the loop, and together you will select from proposed contracts. Your agent will explain why one deal betters another, and will likely want to go with the best long-term prospect even if it is not as prosperous upfront.

The Best Contract Possible

Whilst most agents love their job because it allows them to celebrate good literature and demonstrate raw enthusiasm for a good manuscript, it is not all tea and passionate pitches. The more mundane truth is that their time is mostly taken up by painstakingly working out contracts. Transforming a publisher friendly contract into an author friendly one requires effort, experience, and rigour. Negotiating a contract is multifaceted and not all about increasing advances, pushing for the best royalty and discount rates. Protecting the author is paramount and key if the book does better (or worse) than expected. An agent will ensure that in every eventuality the result will tilt in the author’s favour, and rights are restored to them when possible.

Now – more than ever – it is important to be be prepared for different media forms to be discussed. Movie and TV relationships, as well as international teams, will ensure that your work is both protected and used to its fullest. Remember that just because you live in one country does not mean your book will perform best there: many American and British authors see dramatic success in non-English speaking countries, only possible with having incredible contracts and teams in place.

Holding Your Hand

The writer will likely face a multitude of decisions, from the small and inconsequential to the big important-to-get-right choices. With many forks in the road, this can be a very intimidating experience. Enter: The Agent. The role of the agent is to be informed, guiding each of their authors to make the best decisions for them. On the author’s behalf, an agent is responsible for talking through grievances, ensuring that publishers deliver what has been promised, feeding into conversations about strategy regarding their work, saying no when it's appropriate, finding work, and pushing back. In essence: dealing with the scary stuff.

A literary agent is your partner who does all the heavy lifting after you type 'THE END' into your book. Navigating through the publishing world is no easy feat, but with a professional in the industry at the helm, you stand a far better chance at seeing success - and securing the best deal!

Does that mean everyone should seek out an agent?

Going back to the numbers game, the facts are clear: not every writer who wants one will get an agent. Certain factors will need to work in your favour, no less having a solid book as your bargaining chip. That said, even those who have the goods may still choose to go it alone.

There is no right or wrong answer here, and the decision is most definitely down to you. Here are some questions to ask yourself, though, before you rule out the prospect:

• Do you have a thorough understanding of the publishing market and its dynamics?

• Do you know who are the best publishers for your book and why? Can you evaluate the pros and cons of each? Do you know the best editors within these publishers?

• Are you up to navigating the fast changing - and fast growing - world of digital publishing? And evaluating self-publishing versus traditional publishing?

• Are you financially numerate and confident of being able to negotiate the best commercial deal available in current market conditions?

• Are you confident of being able to fully understand and negotiate a publishing or other media contract?

• Do you know the other opportunities for your work beyond publishing and how these might be exploited? Could you deal with the complexities of a franchise? Or ongoing development of intellectual property

• Do you enjoy the process of selling yourself and your work, and dealing with business affairs?

If you are answering 'no' more often than not, it is a good idea to consider partnering with a literary agent who will deal with all these aspects and more on your behalf - with no upfront cost to you. At the end of the day, your success will reflect your choices, and not everyone will see success by doing the same thing. However, if you are still unsure if an agent would have your best interests, consider Julia Churchill's personal remit:

'While everyone concerned in the publishing process wants a book to succeed, my interests as an agent are the same as those of my client. It's my job to have the necessary conversations to look after my authors, to do everything I can to ensure they have the career they want. We are in it together.'

Considering a literary agent? Find out how to secure one by checking out How To Sell Your Book To An Agent!