AALA literary agents—some things that were previously required of literary agents are no longer required. Understanding that will cause you to look differently at which literary agents you decide are good, great, or not so great. If you’ve ever researched literary agents, you’ve probably seen the term “AALA” or “AAR.” What that means has changed.
A literary agent’s AALA membership status can be helpful when you’re evaluating literary agents—but it’s not the only thing that matters. It’s not even the most important thing that matters. AALA membership can be useful—but only if authors understand what it does and doesn’t mean. You should also consider an agent’s experience, sales, agency, clients, genre fit, and overall compatibility with your book and career goals.
Most important, you should understand how the AALA has changed or relaxed some of its requirements. As a result, membership status these days doesn’t mean what it used to. This guide will help you understand what the AALA is, how it relates to the former AAR, and what AALA membership actually means so you can better research literary agents. This information about AALA literary agents is part of our free guide for writers of all genres about How to Get a Literary Agent.
Quick Summary
AALA stands for the Association of American Literary Agents. It’s the professional organization for people working at literary agencies in the United States, and it was formerly known as the AAR, or Association of Authors’ Representatives.
AALA membership can be a positive sign when researching literary agents because members agree to follow the organization’s Canon of Ethics. However, AALA membership doesn’t automatically mean an agent is the best match for your book. It also doesn’t mean every excellent literary agent is a member. Authors should consider AALA membership as one factor—along with the agent’s experience, sales, agency, clients, genre fit, reputation, and overall compatibility.
Key Takeaways
- AALA stands for the Association of American Literary Agents.
- The AALA was formerly known as the AAR, or Association of Authors’ Representatives.
- AALA membership can be a helpful credibility signal, but it isn’t the only factor authors should consider.
- The AALA has changed its membership model, so membership today doesn’t mean exactly what AAR membership once meant.
- The AALA Canon of Ethics gives authors a useful benchmark for professional literary agent behavior.
- Not all good literary agents are AALA members.
- Authors shouldn’t query only AALA literary agents.
- The no-cost Directory of Literary Agents™ can help authors research AALA and non-AALA agents.
Table of Contents
- What Is the AALA?
- Why Should Authors Care About the AALA?
- Does AALA Membership Mean a Literary Agent Is Legitimate?
- Are All Good Literary Agents AALA Members?
- Is the AALA the Same as the AAR?
- Why Did the AAR Change to the AALA?
- How Is the AALA Different from the AAR?
- Why Do I Promote the AALA?
- What Has the AALA/AAR Done for Authors and Publishing?
- What Notable Issues Has the AALA/AAR Been Involved In?
- Are Literary Agents Licensed?
- Should I Only Query AALA Literary Agents?
- What Are the AALA’s Professional Qualifications?
- What Are the AALA Membership Types?
- Why Do AALA Membership Types Matter to Authors?
- What Is the AALA Canon of Ethics?
- What Does the AALA Canon of Ethics Require?
- What Does the Canon Say About Client Money?
- How Quickly Must AALA Members Pay Clients?
- Can AALA Members Charge Client Expenses?
- Can AALA Members Charge Reading Fees?
- Can AALA Members Offer Paid Editorial Services?
- Why Did the AALA Change Its Rules About Paid Editorial Work?
- What Does the Canon Say About Conflicts of Interest?
- What Does the Canon Say About Secret Profits?
- What Does the Canon Say About Confidentiality?
- Can AALA Members Be Disciplined?
- Can AALA Members Be Suspended or Expelled?
- How Can I Find AALA Literary Agents?
- Does AALA Membership Tell Me What an Agent Represents?
- Can I Query an AALA Agent Through the AALA?
- Does the AALA Recommend Specific Agents to Authors?
- Should I Mention the AALA in My Query Letter?
- Does AALA Membership Protect Authors From Scams?
- How Can I Tell If Someone Is Really an AALA Agent?
- Bottom Line: Should You Query AALA Literary Agents?
- FAQ
What Is the AALA?
AALA stands for the Association of American Literary Agents. It’s the professional organization for people working at literary agencies in the United States—one that supports literary agents through education, networking, mentorship, community, advocacy, and professional standards. One of its most important functions—especially for authors—is maintaining a Canon of Ethics that outlines how members are expected to conduct business.
Why Should Authors Care About the AALA?
Authors should care because publishing is complex, and it can be challenging for writers to evaluate and prioritize agents. AALA membership is one indicator that an agent has agreed to follow professional standards. It doesn’t guarantee that the agent is the best fit for your book, but it can help you separate more credible agents from questionable ones.
AALA membership is one important positive sign—but it isn’t the whole test.
Does AALA Membership Mean a Literary Agent Is Legitimate?
No organization is perfect, and no member is perfect. But the AALA/AAR has helped create professional expectations in an industry where authors can feel overwhelmed, underinformed, and vulnerable. AALA membership means the agent or agency professional has gone through the organization’s membership process and agreed to follow the Canon of Ethics. Think of AALA membership as one important positive sign. However, you should still consider the agent’s experience, agency, sales, clients, online presence, and fit for your type of book.
Are All Good Literary Agents AALA Members?
No. Many excellent literary agents aren’t members of the AALA. An agent might not be a member because they’re newer, because they’ve chosen not to join, because their role or agency situation is different, or because they simply haven’t pursued membership. You shouldn’t automatically reject a literary agent just because they aren’t an AALA member.
Not all good literary agents are AALA members, and not every AALA member is the right agent for your book.
Is the AALA the Same as the AAR?
Mostly. The AAR changed its name to the AALA in 2020. The AALA is the current name for the organization formerly known as the AAR, the Association of Authors’ Representatives. You’ll still see that name in older articles, blog posts, and industry discussions. If you’re researching literary agents and see references to “AAR literary agents,” “AAR members,” or the “Association of Authors’ Representatives,” those references usually mean the organization now known as the AALA.
Why Did the AAR Change to the AALA?
The new name is clearer. “Association of Authors’ Representatives” made sense inside the publishing industry, but it wasn’t immediately obvious to many authors. “Association of American Literary Agents” makes the organization’s focus easier to understand. The new name also uses the phrase most authors are already searching for: literary agents. That makes the organization easier to find, easier to understand, and easier to connect with the profession it represents.
How Is the AALA Different from the AAR?
The AALA isn’t just a new name. The organization has updated its membership model and Canon of Ethics. Under the older AAR model, membership was limited to literary agents and required at least 10 book sales within an 18-month period. The AAR also required recommendations from existing members.
As a new agent, it can take a while to get to that point, and many agents never get there. That’s one reason I was proud to be part of the AAR—and it’s also why membership status means less today than it used to. One upside of the relaxed membership requirements is that more agents are members now than before.
The AALA has also broadened its membership criteria so more people working in “author care” at literary agencies can join, including professionals involved in contracts, accounting, permissions, and foreign rights. Authors often think only of the agent pitching their book, but many people can be involved in the author-agent relationship.
Why Do I Promote the AALA?
Since I’m no longer a literary agent, I’m no longer a member of the AAR/AALA, and my past membership doesn’t mean the AAR or the AALA sponsors or endorses me in any way. However, I still recommend paying attention to the AALA because it can help authors make smarter decisions.
I promote the AALA because the more reliable ways there are for authors to evaluate literary agents, the better. The literary agent profession isn’t government-licensed. That means there’s no official gatekeeper ensuring that every agent operates ethically or professionally.
AALA membership isn’t a guarantee—but it’s something. Members agree to follow a detailed Canon of Ethics that addresses things like transparency, conflicts of interest, client funds, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
What Has the AALA/AAR Done for Authors and Publishing?
The AALA/AAR has played an important role in shaping professional standards in literary agenting.
In addition to its Canon of Ethics, the organization has an Ethics Committee that reviews complaints against members and can recommend disciplinary actions such as reprimand, censure, suspension, or expulsion.
The AALA also provides practical support for agents through committees and professional resources. For example, its Contracts Committee has developed and updated contract checklists and addressed issues such as morality clauses, advance installment structures, and delays in contract drafting.
It also offers professional education and industry programming for agents, helping members stay current as publishing continues to evolve.
And it’s worked to address diversity and access in literary agenting. Literary Agents of Change, a nonprofit that grew out of AALA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, was created to help reduce barriers to entry for people from historically underrepresented groups who want to become literary agents. Its programs include fellowships and mentorship opportunities.
What Notable Issues Has the AALA/AAR Been Involved In?
The AALA/AAR has been involved in several publishing-industry issues over the years.
- The Canon of Ethics revision
AALA’s updated Canon of Ethics drew attention across the publishing industry, especially because it clarified how members may offer paid editorial services while avoiding conflicts of interest. - The Internet Archive controlled digital lending case
The AALA was among the author and publishing organizations supporting publishers and authors in the legal case involving the Internet Archive and its controlled digital lending practices. The case raised major questions about copyright and digital access. - The Amazon–Hachette dispute
During the highly publicized dispute between Amazon and Hachette, the AAR publicly criticized Amazon’s tactics, arguing that authors were being harmed.
Are Literary Agents Licensed?
No. In the United States, literary agents aren’t licensed in the same way attorneys, doctors, accountants, therapists, or real estate agents are. That makes professional standards more important. The AALA isn’t a government agency, but its Canon of Ethics gives authors a helpful benchmark for what ethical literary agent behavior should look like.
The AALA is not a government agency, but its Canon of Ethics gives authors a helpful benchmark for ethical literary agent behavior.
Should I Only Query AALA Literary Agents?
No.
The best strategy is to query agents who are the strongest match for your book. AALA membership can be a positive factor, but it shouldn’t replace the more important question: does this agent represent your type of book, have the ability to sell it, and seem like a good professional fit?
If you only query AALA members, you’ll miss strong agents at reputable agencies, newer agents building their lists, and agents who may be a perfect match for your work but aren’t members.
You shouldn’t query an agent only because they’re an AALA member—and you shouldn’t ignore every agent who isn’t.
What Are the AALA’s Professional Qualifications?
Anyone working at a literary agency in the United States can apply, but applicants must meet the AALA’s professional qualifications, agree to follow the Canon of Ethics, and go through the organization’s membership review process.
Unlike the old AAR model, which required agents to meet a strict sales threshold, AALA membership today is based more on agency employment, experience, and role.
What Are the AALA Membership Types?
The AALA has several membership-related categories.
Members with five or more years of literary agency experience pay one dues level, while members with less than five years of experience pay another. Internships don’t count toward experience for dues purposes.
The AALA also offers Educational Access for people with less than two years at a literary agency, excluding internships. Educational Access includes access to programming and community, but it doesn’t include board eligibility or a public member profile.
The organization also offers Emeritus Membership for members who have retired or are in the process of retiring from active practice as literary agents. Emeritus Members retain access to select benefits, but they don’t retain voting rights, board eligibility, or a public member profile.
Why Do AALA Membership Types Matter to Authors?
Not every AALA member is a senior agent. Some are newer professionals or work in roles that support authors behind the scenes. For authors, the key takeaway is that membership indicates affiliation and ethical commitment—not identical experience levels. A newer AALA member may not have the same track record as a long-established agent. An Educational Access participant may be learning and building a career. An Emeritus Member may no longer be actively taking on clients.
What Is the AALA Canon of Ethics?
The Canon of Ethics is the AALA’s code of professional conduct. It explains what members are expected to do—and not do—when working with authors, clients, colleagues, publishers, and others in the industry. Since literary agents aren’t licensed by the government, the Canon of Ethics gives authors a practical reference point for what ethical agent behavior should look like.
What Does the AALA Canon of Ethics Require?
The Canon requires members to act with integrity, accountability, loyalty to clients, and honesty in professional relationships. It also addresses conflicts of interest, client money, confidentiality, referrals, payments, professional conduct, and abuse of power. In other words, the Canon is meant to help ensure that AALA members don’t mislead authors, mishandle author funds, abuse their position, hide conflicts of interest, or put their own interests ahead of their clients’ interests.
What Does the Canon Say About Client Money?
Members who control agency finances must handle client funds responsibly. That includes keeping client funds separate from agency operating funds, depositing funds promptly, accounting accurately, and paying clients promptly. This matters because literary agents often receive money from publishers before paying the author. If that money isn’t handled properly, authors can be harmed financially.
How Quickly Must AALA Members Pay Clients?
The Canon says members should use reasonable best efforts to pay clients within about 10 business days after funds clear and are attributed, and no later than 21 days unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Can AALA Members Charge Client Expenses?
AALA members can pass along certain expenses incurred on a client’s behalf, such as copyright fees, postage, photocopies, messenger fees, or other approved expenses. But the client must agree to reimburse those expenses. Members are also expected to provide clear and honest accounting of services, fees, charges, and commissions before work begins.
For authors, the key distinction is between legitimate, agreed-upon expenses and questionable upfront charges. A reputable agent’s main compensation should come from commission when money is earned from the author’s work.
Can AALA Members Charge Reading Fees?
Charging reading fees is subject to serious abuse and reflects poorly on the profession. That’s important because reading fees have long been associated with questionable or predatory agent behavior. Reputable literary agents typically don’t charge authors simply to read or evaluate their manuscripts. Authors should be cautious if an agent asks for upfront money before offering representation, submitting work, or making a sale.
Can AALA Members Offer Paid Editorial Services?
Members can provide paid editorial services to authors who are not clients, but they must make clear in writing that providing those services doesn’t mean they will represent the author. And if the member later agrees to represent that author, the member must return all payments received for those editorial services before submitting the work and waive future payments for those services for that author.
In addition, AALA members can’t respond to an author seeking representation by steering that author into paid editorial services offered by the member or anyone financially associated with the member or agency.
Why Did the AALA Change Its Rules About Paid Editorial Work?
Many literary agents struggle to support themselves through agenting alone, especially earlier in their careers. The revised rules acknowledge that reality while still trying to protect authors from conflicts of interest and pressure tactics. For authors, the key point is this: paid editorial work by an AALA member isn’t automatically unethical, but it must be handled carefully, transparently, and separately from representation.
What Does the Canon Say About Conflicts of Interest?
Members must avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with loyal service to clients. That means an agent should not put personal gain, hidden financial relationships, or outside business interests ahead of the author’s interests. This matters because authors rely on agents for advice about offers, contracts, rights, publishers, editors, and career strategy. If an agent has a conflict of interest, the author may not be getting fully objective guidance.
What Does the Canon Say About Secret Profits?
The Canon says members can’t receive a secret profit in connection with a client transaction. That means an agent shouldn’t quietly receive money, benefits, referral fees, or other compensation connected to a client’s work without the client knowing and agreeing. For authors, this is a major ethical issue. You need to know whether the person advising you has any hidden financial reason to push you toward a particular deal, service, publisher, editor, or business arrangement.
What Does the Canon Say About Confidentiality?
Members must treat clients’ financial affairs as private and confidential, except for information customarily disclosed during the rights-placement process, information required by law, or information the client has agreed may be disclosed. That’s important because agents often know sensitive information about an author’s advances, royalties, contracts, negotiations, career plans, and personal circumstances.
Can AALA Members Be Disciplined?
The AALA has an Ethics Committee that considers complaints against members involving alleged violations of the Canon of Ethics, bylaws, or other association standards. That doesn’t mean the AALA is a court or a government agency. But it does mean membership comes with at least some professional accountability.
Can AALA Members Be Suspended or Expelled?
If a complaint is not resolved through correspondence, the Ethics Committee can recommend that the Board reprimand, censure, suspend, or expel the member. If the Board decides to pursue one of those outcomes, the member is offered an opportunity to appear before the Board before a final decision is made. For authors, this matters because AALA membership isn’t just a logo or directory listing. Members can face consequences if they violate the organization’s standards.
How Can I Find AALA Literary Agents?
Although the AALA website lists member agents, you can see which agents are members and find everything you need to query all agents using the no-cost Directory of Literary Agents™. That literary agent database allows you to search for agents by category, genre, and other criteria—making it as easy as possible to build a targeted list.
Does AALA Membership Tell Me What an Agent Represents?
No. AALA membership tells you something about professional affiliation and ethics. It doesn’t tell you whether an agent represents memoir, romance, literary fiction, picture books, business books, fantasy, self-help, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, or any other category.
You still need to research each agent individually. That’s why I recommend using the Directory of Literary Agents™.
Can I Query an AALA Agent Through the AALA?
The AALA can help you identify member agents, but you still need to follow each agent’s individual submission guidelines—and you can’t query member agents through the AALA website.
Does the AALA Recommend Specific Agents to Authors?
Not in the way most authors hope. The AALA is a professional organization and resource, not a personalized literary agent matchmaking service. It can help you identify member agents, but it won’t replace the work of building a strategic query list based on your category, your book, your credentials, and the current marketplace.
Should I Mention the AALA in My Query Letter?
No. Your query letter should focus on your book, your hook, your category, your credentials, and why the agent might be interested. Mentioning a literary agent’s AALA membership—or lack of it—in a query would be a waste of space that could be better used to make your book sound more compelling.
Does AALA Membership Protect Authors From Scams?
AALA membership is a sign of credibility, but scammers sometimes impersonate real literary agents, agencies, editors, publishers, producers, and film company representatives. That means you still need to verify who you’re communicating with.
These scams often use fake email addresses, fake contracts, fake offers, or pressure to pay for services. Sometimes scammers impersonate real agents, which is why you should always verify email domains and contact information through official agency websites.
Read this article about the latest Book Scams.
How Can I Tell If Someone Is Really an AALA Agent?
Check the AALA member directory. Then check the agent’s official agency website. Then compare the email address, domain name, submission instructions, and any payment requests. If something feels strange, don’t rely on the email you received. Contact the agency through its official website. Real literary agents don’t need you to pay suspicious upfront fees, wire money, buy services from a connected vendor, or rush into a deal without normal professional communication.
Bottom Line: Should You Query AALA Literary Agents?
Yes, you should absolutely consider querying AALA literary agents who are a strong fit for your book. But you shouldn’t query them only because they’re AALA members—and you shouldn’t ignore every agent who isn’t an AALA member.
The best literary agent for you is someone who’s legitimate, ethical, experienced or well-supported, interested in your type of book, enthusiastic about your work, and capable of helping you move your writing career forward.
The best literary agent for you is legitimate, ethical, experienced or well-supported, interested in your type of book, and capable of helping you move your writing career forward.
Get 1-on-1 Support to Find the Best Literary Agent for You and Your Book
AALA membership can help you evaluate literary agents—but it’s only one part of the bigger picture.
As a former literary agent, former Marketing & Licensing Manager of a well-known book publisher, and author coach/consultant who has helped 400+ writers get literary agents and/or traditional publishers, I can help you identify the best agents for your book, improve your query materials, and create a smarter submission strategy.
FAQ: AALA Literary Agents
What does AALA stand for?
AALA stands for the Association of American Literary Agents. It’s the professional organization for people working at literary agencies in the United States. The organization was formerly known as the AAR, or Association of Authors’ Representatives.
Is the AALA the same as the AAR?
Mostly, yes. The AAR changed its name to the AALA in 2020. The AALA is the current name for the organization formerly known as the Association of Authors’ Representatives. If you see older references to AAR literary agents, AAR members, or the Association of Authors’ Representatives, those references usually mean the organization now known as the AALA.
Does AALA membership mean a literary agent is legitimate?
AALA membership is a positive credibility signal, but it isn’t proof by itself. AALA members agree to follow the organization’s Canon of Ethics, but authors should still research an agent’s experience, agency, sales, clients, online presence, genre fit, and reputation before querying or signing with that agent.
Should I only query AALA literary agents?
No. You shouldn’t query only AALA literary agents. Many excellent literary agents are not members of the AALA, including newer agents, agents at reputable agencies, and agents who simply haven’t chosen to join. A better strategy is to query agents who are the strongest match for your book and use AALA membership as one factor in your research.
What is the AALA Canon of Ethics?
The AALA Canon of Ethics is the organization’s code of professional conduct. It addresses issues such as integrity, client loyalty, conflicts of interest, client money, confidentiality, payments, referrals, professional conduct, and abuse of power. Since literary agents aren’t licensed by the government, the Canon gives authors one useful reference point for ethical agent behavior.
Are literary agents licensed?
No. Literary agents in the United States are not licensed the way attorneys, doctors, accountants, therapists, or real estate agents may be licensed. That’s one reason professional standards matter. The AALA isn’t a government agency, but its Canon of Ethics helps define what ethical literary agent conduct should look like.
How can I find AALA literary agents?
The AALA website lists member agents, but authors can also use the no-cost Directory of Literary Agents™ to research AALA and non-AALA agents. The Directory of Literary Agents™ lets authors search for literary agents by category, genre, and other criteria, making it easier to build a targeted query list.
About
This article about “AALA Literary Agents” was written by a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark Malatesta is the creator of The Directory of Book Agents, host of Ask a Publishing Agent, and founder of Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author.
Mark has helped hundreds of authors get offers from literary agents and/or traditional publishers. Writers of all Book Genres have used our Book Agent Advice coaching/consulting to get Top Literary Agents at the Best Literary Agencies on our List of Literary Agents.
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Established in 2011, The Bestselling Author has helped 400+ authors get literary agents and/or traditional publishers. Writers who’ve worked with Literary Agent Undercover, a division of The Bestselling Author, have gotten six-figure book deals; been on the New York Times bestseller list; had their books adapted for TV, stage, and feature film; had their work licensed in 40+ countries; and sold many millions of books.
Notable authors include Nelson Johnson, author of Boardwalk Empire, which Martin Scorsese produced for HBO; Leslie Lehr, author of A Boob’s Life, which is currently being adapted for an HBO Max TV series by Salma Hayek; and Scott LeRette, author of The Unbreakable Boy, which was published by Thomas Nelson and is now a major motion picture by Lionsgate starring Patricia Heaton, Zachary Levi, and Amy Acker.
The founder of The Bestselling Author, Mark Malatesta, is a former literary agent, literary agency owner, AAR member, and Marketing & Licensing Manager for the gift and book publisher Blue Mountain Arts. He is now an author coach and consultant. Click here to see Mark Malatesta reviews.
About the Author
The founder of The Bestselling Author, Mark Malatesta, is a former literary agent, literary agency owner, AAR member, and Marketing & Licensing Manager for the gift and book publisher Blue Mountain Arts. Mark is now a highly regarded author coach and consultant, dedicated to helping writers obtain literary agents. Drawing on decades of industry experience, he works with writers across genres, offering personalized coaching to navigate the complexities of the publishing world.
Through The Bestselling Author, Mark provides practical tools, industry insights, and motivational support tailored to each writer’s needs to help them do so. In addition to coaching, Mark shares his expertise through speaking engagements and online resources. His dedication to empowering authors has made him a trusted mentor in the writing community, earning him a reputation as a knowledgeable and approachable guide for writers pursuing their dreams. Click here for Mark Malatesta reviews.
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company