3 Things No One Tells You About Getting A Literary Agent

[@AnneStewart-oe7rj]

Love this. My book is done, it’s fabulous and I’ve got an intro to a major agent from a mutual friend who’s a celeb. But, OMG, this whole proposal, query letter thing! Nightmare. Conflicting instructions which are BEYOND confusing. Seriously, WTH. I can’t help but wonder how many great works never saw the light of day because their authors were paralyzed by the process.

[@WillN2Go1]

I think Robert McKee once wrote, (I paraphrase), 'Don't worry about getting an agent. If in complete secrecy you wrote the most amazing script, told no one about it, then buried it under concrete in your basement; the next morning your basement will be full of agents, directors, producers and studio execs gnawing through the concrete."

[@MrRosebeing]

@@WillN2Go1 I think I once wrote "If your book is fabulous and you've got an intro to a major agent from a mutual friend who's a celeb", then that's the way to go". Other people just write.

[@TheEccentricRaven]

Great insight thanks ❤

[@maryadkins]

Glad it was helpful!

[@maguffintop2596]

Thank you for saying it could take months even years. Good lord I hope it doesn't take that long but at least it's not unheard of.

[@maryadkins]

It takes a long time for so many of us! :) Keep it up!

[@jeannemoore6610]

It took me 3 years and over 300 queries before I received an offer of a ontract from a small publisher. They wanted ALL worldwide rights and the royalties rhey offered were extremely low - only 2% of the wholesale price. I decided to self publish. I'm 74 years old. I haven't got years to spend on looking for an agent and an acceptable publishing deal.

[@maguffintop2596]

@@jeannemoore6610 yesSP ia the way to go. The same idiots putting out unwatchable entertainment are the same ones rejecting good literature. They are simply propagandists. I read recently 50% of all published works are now SP.

[@TheWinningWordGiver]

Thank you for the valuable information.

[@bruceryba5740]

Thank you, excellent!

[@maryadkins]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jlwcrafts]

I just found your channel. I was very impressed, your advice is realistic and very practical. Thank you.

[@maryadkins]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@jcurrin1904]

Thanks for posting this! Very helpful and most appreciated.

[@maryadkins]

Glad it was helpful!

[@flatdude4667]

Excellent video, very informative. I'm nearing the end of my debut novel, so this helps. Thank you.

[@tomevans9152]

Great video, very informative, I just finished my first book and this helped a lot, thanks Mary!

[@maryadkins]

Glad it was helpful!

[@freedomthroughspirit]

Your agent is your business partner. Thanks Mary, new subscriber here, appreciate your content.

[@maryadkins]

So glad you're here - and thank you! :)

[@alyssadsb9106]

where is the link? I don't see it. Thank you for the tips.

[@Cross1013]

I have a question if you dont mind. I have a book that I wrote a while back and self published, but couldn't really afford marketing so its almost completely unknown to the world. Is that something a literary agent could help with, or should I just discard and finish a different one?

[@maryadkins]

Thank you so much for your question and for sharing your journey! While I'm not able to give specific advice on individual projects, I encourage you to explore options that feel right for your goals. Literary agents typically focus on new manuscripts rather than those already self-published, but each situation is different. Keep going with your writing-every book is a step forward!

[@gelisherpa6159]

would you pz help me to publish my philosophical book from usa ?

[@advancedraymondology2914]

Once an agent has agreed to rep you, do they make "suggestions" or demands, as in they won't try to sell your book if you refuse to make the changes? I've thought about my book, its characters, its plot, to near obsession. I can't stand the idea of an agent monkeying with it. And once they sell it, then some editor at the publisher has THEIR notes. I'm not so deluded as to think individual PASSAGES couldn't be made better. And perhaps some of the dirtier parts could be more implied rather than explicitly shown. But what I really don't want is someone gutting the story, and having me add or change things to make the characters more likable. There is not a single thing that happens, nor a line of dialogue, that isn't there to tell the reader WHO these people are and what happens with them. I feel it's how I want it, and anything that's cut would be a real loss. I know I'm getting way ahead of myself. I mean, shoot, it's not like anyone is clamoring to sign me, haha In fact, I think getting representation is going to be quite difficult. But I worry that if and when I do find someone willing to take it on, I'll be so happy, the dream so close, that I'll just let them do what they want. And I'd hate myself for that. It'd be better if the book never comes out than having some anodyne version of it published. I don't know. I guess I could just listen, see what happens. Maybe I won't totally hate their insights. I think it depends on what their motives for those changes are, what they are trying to accomplish. If they understand the characters and are truly trying to serve the story, that's one thing. If they are trying to change who these characters are, that's another. Helpful video, by the way. Thank you.

[@maryadkins]

Such good questions. It can be a delicate balance, but ultimately, an agent is there to help make your book the best it can be. So you don't need to fear their feedback! You have the ultimate vision for your book and the agent can work with you to make that a reality! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@yardsalestanleyplayers24]

my book is so so ... the size twice that of war and peace . when i wrote for grade school assignment , my paper . "your mom helps you out" . no she didnt ! my paper always got read . if somebody else wins the contest ? then somebody's mom does junior homework .

[@caseymasters8801]

What?

[@doreekaplan2589]

Seems the successful way nowadays is to self publish, especially for genres like mine, being adventure .

[@maryadkins]

Self-publishing can definitely be a great option for some writers!

[@MrRosebeing]

Number one: You will not make any money from your writing. Do it for the love of writing. Number two: What he said.