How to Become a Literary Agent

1

Obtain a bachelor's degree in English or any reading-heavy discipline.

Obtain a bachelor's degree in English or any reading-heavy discipline.

2

Take some publishing courses to familiarize yourself with the industry.

Take some publishing courses to familiarize yourself with the industry.

3

Read a lot of books in a variety of different fields.

Read a lot of books in a variety of different fields.

4

Attend writer's forums and readings to submerge yourself in the field.

Attend writer's forums and readings to submerge yourself in the field.

5

Spend a few years working in sales, law, or marketing for an alternative path.

Spend a few years working in sales, law, or marketing for an alternative path.

6

Apply to work at a bookstore if you're still in school.

Apply to work at a bookstore if you're still in school.

7

Scope out editing or publishing positions if you have literary experience.

Scope out editing or publishing positions if you have literary experience.

8

Apply to be a literary agent assistant or intern to get in the door.

Apply to be a literary agent assistant or intern to get in the door.

9

Develop your skills and learn the business as an assistant or intern.

Develop your skills and learn the business as an assistant or intern.

10

Work your way into a position as a literary agent over time.

Work your way into a position as a literary agent over time.

11

Let the world know that you're accepting submissions.

Let the world know that you're accepting submissions.

12

Scour submissions and accept manuscripts you think you can sell.

Scour submissions and accept manuscripts you think you can sell.

13

Pitch books to publishing agencies to generate interest.

Pitch books to publishing agencies to generate interest.

14

Negotiate contracts for the authors that you represent.

Negotiate contracts for the authors that you represent.

How to Become a Literary Agent

Steps

Obtain a bachelor's degree in English or any reading-heavy discipline.

Take some publishing courses to familiarize yourself with the industry.

Read a lot of books in a variety of different fields.

Attend writer's forums and readings to submerge yourself in the field.

Spend a few years working in sales, law, or marketing for an alternative path.

Apply to work at a bookstore if you're still in school.

Scope out editing or publishing positions if you have literary experience.

Apply to be a literary agent assistant or intern to get in the door.

Develop your skills and learn the business as an assistant or intern.

Work your way into a position as a literary agent over time.

Let the world know that you're accepting submissions.

Scour submissions and accept manuscripts you think you can sell.

Pitch books to publishing agencies to generate interest.

Negotiate contracts for the authors that you represent.

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How to Become a Literary Agent

Steps

Obtain a bachelor's degree in English or any reading-heavy discipline.

Take some publishing courses to familiarize yourself with the industry.

Read a lot of books in a variety of different fields.

Attend writer's forums and readings to submerge yourself in the field.

Spend a few years working in sales, law, or marketing for an alternative path.

Apply to work at a bookstore if you're still in school.

Scope out editing or publishing positions if you have literary experience.

Apply to be a literary agent assistant or intern to get in the door.

Develop your skills and learn the business as an assistant or intern.

Work your way into a position as a literary agent over time.

Let the world know that you're accepting submissions.

Scour submissions and accept manuscripts you think you can sell.

Pitch books to publishing agencies to generate interest.

Negotiate contracts for the authors that you represent.

Rate This Guide

Comments (0)

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