How to Know Whether a Literary Agent is Reputable
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- There has been a lot of recent controversy and discussion about agents and how to know whether the ones you're querying are reputable and ethical. Jessica Faust and James McGowan discuss their best tips on how to know this, and how to confidently query.
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Jessica Faust’s love for books is what first brought her to open BookEnds Literary Agency. It is her desire to be an advocate for all authors that pushed her to create her blog, the BookEnds TH-cam channel and to maintain a vibrant presence on Twitter.
Jessica is proud to have grown BookEnds to an agency that represents authors of all genres for children and adults, allowing her to reach more readers and help more authors and illustrators achieve their dreams.
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Since interning at BookEnds as an undergrad in the summer of 2015, James has (basically) never left. He's just continuously level-up-ed inside of BookEnds. Now he is the Literary Assistant and Social Media Manager for the team. He’s been a reader since his mom gave him the first A Series of Unfortunate Events book and ordered the sequels regularly through Scholastic book orders.
James is currently growing his own list and is actively seeking submissions in adult literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense. He is also actively building his picture book list.
Connect with BookEnds!
Twitter: bookendslit
Instagram: bookends_literary
Website: www.bookendsliterary.com
Connect with Jessica: bookendsjessica
Connect with James: jmcgowanbks
I love what Jessica said about it being the agent's job to "earn" their 15% not just "take" it.
Yessssssss!! I was like, "I need THAT agent!"
Yes!
Writers Beware SFWA was a great suggestion, especially because they're my genre. I didn't know I could say, I'll get back to you in 2 weeks, or ask if they read the book. I felt powerless. All good advice.
Every video of yours has instructed me, entertained me,and convinced me to keep writing. Inspirational and a real gift, so thank you!
You two are HILARIOUS 😂😂 and I truly enjoy your banter. This episode was extremely helpful to me. Thank you 🙏💫✌ !
Thank you for these videos! on another note I was wondering why the "6 figure deal" is so specifically mentioned on pmp? Id love to see a more in detail video on PMP.
Phenomenal video. Extremely helpful information that every writer should have. Huge thank you to both of you for this video and all the other wonderful videos you post here! Loved the five warning signs! "They're supposed to hate us." 😂
I just remembered that y’all used to do these from work not home. 🤞soon🤞
Ha! Who knows
Thanks again for yet another great video. Is fifteen percent therefore the industry standard for the most part? Is say, twenty percent or ten a bit of a red flag to some degree as well?
Yes, for print rights that is usually the standard. Subsidiary rights can be 20-25%.
I want you guys to become my agents...I can't write a query for the life of me...In fact, I hate the whole marketing thing that indie publishers have to do. I didn't even think of that until I was finished with my third novel. I loved writing the novels, and loved reading them even more, but marketing...that's a golden goose laying chicken eggs. I've seen other agents on YT, but I think you two are a cut above.
Thank you!
When it comes to film/TV rights, do authors get paid when their book rights are sold to studios or do they not get any cut of that since the book was sold to the publisher already?
What about an agent giving you an offer and you accept but waiting weeks to actually get and sign the contract??? Is this normal???
Do you copyright your work before submitting to a possible agent
Hi! By writing your work, you automatically have the copyright to your work. Once a book is published, however, that copyright can be registered (which is what we typically think of as copyrighting the work, and is what grants you legal protections). The publisher will almost always take care of copyrighting the work on your behalf, so you do not have to register your copyright before you submit to agents!
I was sucked into two "agents" but backed away when they wanted $1,000 up front, even though they knew I couldn't afford it, then told me to get a loan. That's bull***t.
We're glad you recognized that this was likely a scam! Agents should not ask for money up front, since they work off commission after a sale!