LITERARY AGENT

Get oriented for the course, meet your instructor and classmates, and explore what you'll learn over the coming weeks. Discover how the course is structured, what to expect from assignments, and how each class builds the skills needed to succeed as a literary agent.

• Introduce instructor
• Overview of course and course outcomes

Explore the literary agent's role in today's publishing industry, from discovering authors to closing deals. Learn how agents build careers, earn commissions, and guide books through every stage of the publishing journey.

• Roles and responsibilities
• Payment and commission
• Agencies and freelancing
• Case study: Life cycle of a book

Assignment #1:
Identify a book and author that you would ‘represent’ for this course. Give a short description of the plot, and the reason why you’ve chosen this book and author.

Learn how to spot promising manuscripts by evaluating market trends, reading query letters with a critical eye, and developing the editorial instincts that help agents identify standout projects.

• Understanding industry trends
• How to identify a gem in the slush pile
• Workshop: Read and discuss some queries, assess their potential
• Trusting your taste

Assignment #2:
Evaluate a query letter–look for the essential elements, list what's working and what's not, and state whether you would recommend requesting more material or not.

Discover how successful agents build lasting author relationships, develop strong client lists, and support writers through every stage of their careers—from debut publication to long-term success.

• Identifying author strengths
• Building relationships
• Building your list
• How to resurrect an author's career if their book tanks
• Case study: Managing a career from beginning to end

Learn the legal and ethical responsibilities of literary representation, including contracts, copyright, client advocacy, and navigating conflicts of interest throughout your career.

• The author-agent agreement
• Copyright and intellectual property
• Ethical responsibilities toward your authors
• Conflicts of interest
• Switching agencies

Assignment #3:
Compare and contrast two author-agency agreements. List the differences and whether they’re more favorable for the author or agency.

Develop the editorial skills needed to strengthen manuscripts by identifying weaknesses, distinguishing fixable issues from fundamental problems, and delivering clear, constructive feedback.

• Identifying areas of improvement
• Fixable and unfixable flaws
• Providing constructive feedback
• Workshop: Read and discuss a flawed piece of writing. Where can this author improve?

Assignment #4:
Suggest edits to a short chapter.

Explore how the publishing industry operates, from different types of publishers and imprints to the full publishing process, through real-world industry examples.

• Types of publishing houses and imprints
• Case study: Publishing process

Learn how to position a manuscript for success by writing compelling pitch letters, identifying the right editors, and building strategic submission lists.

• Writing the pitch letter
• Workshop: Create a pitch letter for a book you have read
• Submission list of editors

Assignment #5:
Write a pitch letter for a book.

Explore the fundamentals of publishing contracts and develop practical negotiation skills to advocate for your authors and secure stronger publishing deals.

• Choosing the right publisher
• Contract basics
• Negotiation skills and strategy
• Demo: Editing a contract
• Workshop: In breakout groups, redline a sample contract

Assignment #6:
Review and mark up another sample contract.

Discover how subsidiary rights expand an author's earning potential by exploring international publishing, translation, audio, film, television, and merchandising opportunities.

• Going global
• Audiobooks
• TV, film adaptations, and merchandising
• Publisher options
• Translation rights and process

Learn how marketing, publicity, and industry recognition influence a book's commercial success, and discover how agents help authors maximize visibility throughout a book's lifecycle.

• Cover design
• Marketing campaigns and publicity stunts
• What happens if a book doesn't sell well
• Bestseller lists, trade publication reviews, and reader reviews
• Literary prizes and awards
• Social media presence and use

Assignment #7 (optional):
Look at jacket copy for a book and make suggested tweaks, OR look at a proposed cover and provide feedback.

Build the professional relationships that power a successful literary career by developing your network of editors, designers, publicists, and other publishing professionals.

• Etiquette: do’s and don’ts
• Maintaining relationships
• Building a list

Explore the daily responsibilities of a literary agent while learning practical productivity strategies and examining the trends shaping the future of publishing.

• Tools for time management
• Multitasking tips and tricks
• Being proactive
• Reading to stay on top of the market
• Industry trends

Assignment #8 (optional):
Spend some time on BookTok or Bookstagram to get a feel for the current trends.

Prepare for the next step in your career by exploring agency career paths, freelancing opportunities, interview strategies, and what it takes to launch your own literary agency.

• CV and interview tips
• Freelance editing as an agent
• Agencies: big vs small
• Setting up your own agency