In the most recent issue of Writer’s Digest magazine, you’ll find my feature article, “The Evolving Agent.” I discuss how literary agents’ business models and services are changing to fit the needs of their clients, who are increasingly self-publishing or choosing hybrid paths.
The article covers:
- the value of agent-assisted self-publishing
- what happens when agents use third parties to assist you (e.g., Argo Navis or Amazon White Glove)
- specific agencies that assist with self-publishing and what their terms are
- what questions to ask an agent before having them assist with self-publishing
Regarding that last point, here are a few of those questions to ask:
- Who covers the costs associated with self-publishing? In most cases, the author covers the cost, but sometimes the agent will cover expenses and deduct them from the author’s earnings.
- Who controls the rights to the self-published work? (It should be the author.)
- How long must you commit to giving the agent 15 percent of sales on the work? (It shouldn’t be indefinitely.)
- How/when can the agreement be terminated?
To read the full article, buy the October 2014 issue of Writer’s Digest, available in print or as a digital download.
For additional context, I also highly recommend reading:
- Agent-Assisted Self-Publishing and the Amazon White Glove Program by Melissa Foster
- Why I Left My Agent and New York Publisher by Claire Cook
Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. Her latest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing.
[…] Writer’s Digest (October 2014) In the most recent issue of Writer’s Digest magazine, you’ll find my feature article, “The Evolving Agent.” I discuss how literary agents’ business models and services are changing to fit the needs of their clients,… […]
You are everywhere, Jane Friedman! I’ll be at Barnes & Noble tonight and plan to buy a copy there. As always, thanks for your great insights.
It’s an interesting time in the book and music industries. Everything is changing.
[…] Writer’s Digest (October 2014) In the most recent issue of Writer’s Digest magazine, you’ll find my feature article, “The Evolving Agent.” I discuss how literary agents’ business models and services are changing to fit the needs of their clients,… […]
Definitely submit to pinebasil.wordpress.com!
[…] The Evolving Role of the Literary Agent by @JaneFriedman via @WritersDigest […]