Do You Need a Literary Agent?: The Writer-in-the-Know Guide to a Literary Agent's Role in the Publishing Industry

by Angie Hodapp

Do you need a literary agent? The answer is…it depends. With so many publishing options available to writers today, figuring out the best way to get your novel into readers’ hands can be overwhelming. If you’re a writer who’s not really sure what a literary agent is, what a literary agent does, or why having a literary agent might be important, then this book is for you. What are a literary agent’s roles and responsibilities? What should agents do for their clients? What shouldn’t they do? How do you know when it’s time to look for an agent to represent you, or when it’s time to sever your relationship with an agent who isn’t your best professional fit? This book provides a deep dive into the traditional-publishing process, giving you a clear view of what to expect from the moment you get an idea for a novel to the moment your novel goes out of print. Topics • How to handle an offer of representation from a literary agent • How to navigate an agency agreement • How to read and audit royalty statements • When and how to request a reversion of rights from your publisher • And more Gain the industry knowledge you need to make informed decisions that will help you build the writing career you want.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2019

Reviews

[David Slayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sage Advice From an Industry Expert.
I first met Angie Hodapp at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, attending one of her workshops. The advice and lessons she brought to that class were some of the best I've received in nearly a decade of attending writing conferences. I attend any workshop of hers I can, sometimes repeating them, and take copious notes. I always deepen my craft by applying her lessons. The one thing I've wished is that she'd start a series of craft/industry books to put down what she knows. And now she has!

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a writer who is aspiring to publish via traditional means, this is a good book to learn what agents do. It's very heavy on the "after securing an agent" part so I don't think it's that helpful prior to that step.

[Nickolas Hight · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are thinking about becoming a professional writer, do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with Angie Hodapp's work. This book is a sobering examination of the role literary agents play in the traditional publication process. It is dense. Packed with information. Potent. I imbibed it in small doses, like powerful medicine.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up the book after seeing her at the Northern Colorado Writers conference. So well organized. Feels like it covers everything I did not know to ask. Get a copy to pass on to your writing friends.

[T. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book on what a Literary agent does. Well worth reading.