Looking for a Literary Agent Articles

Most articles about author income streams or how authors make money beyond book sales simply provide a list of options. This article goes beyond that. It explores all opportunities but also which ones suit different authors, what they require, how they might...

Discovering how to write chapters that move your book forward is essential for writers of all genres: fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. It's just as important as having a strong opening page. I discuss what agents notice, and where writers often lose them, in...

This updated guide about book-to-screen adaptation explains how books become movies and television shows, when screen interest can occur, who handles film and TV rights, what being optioned really means, where authors can find credible opportunities, and when a...

Most writers who ask how to copyright a book aren’t simply asking how to complete a government form. They’re asking: Can someone steal my manuscript? Should I register it before querying literary agents? Will a literary agent copyright it for me? Will a traditional...

Learning how to write chapter summaries for literary agents sounds simple. After all, you wrote the book. You know what happens in every chapter—or what each chapter teaches. How difficult could summarizing it be? Generally, a lot more difficult than most writers...

Many writers have heard the question, "Are you a plotter or a pantser?" but there's more to it than that. In other words, it's not just about whether you outline before you write, or if you write “by the seat of your pants” and discover your book as you go. There are...

Does a writer’s race or ethnicity affect literary agents and publishers? Yes, sometimes. Literary agents are usually looking—first and foremost—for a compelling concept, a clear audience, strong writing, and a book they believe they can sell. But a writer’s background...

Understanding the history of literary agents—and how their role has changed over time—can give you an advantage as a writer. Many writers think of literary agents mainly as gatekeepers or people who decide which authors get access to traditional publishers and which...

Are you a writer who looks at bestseller lists such as the New York Times bestseller list and gets inspired—or discouraged? Either way, there are nine things that writers of all genres can learn from looking at what books are selling. Some writers look at the list,...