Getting your writing project in tip-top shape is just half the battle. The second half, and for some, seemingly more complex endeavor, is getting it into the hands of readers. If you choose to self-publish, the path may be more accessible and swifter—though much hard work and help is required. But if you decide to publish traditionally, it’s an uphill climb.

Authors and writers understand this. Readers may not.

So, here’s the hard truth—getting your work in front of a publisher is almost impossible without the help of a literary agent. Agents are just about opening doors. They are your business partners. In other words, they help you navigate “the business of” becoming a successful author. Yes, launching your platform and keeping books selling is a business, and much of it falls on the shoulders of an author. Literary agents have a lot to offer their author clients in addition to opening doors and partnering in their success. They want you to do well, invest in your achievements, and have your back.

But it’s not up to your literary agent to do all the work. It’s a partnership. Please don’t take my word for it. As always, I turn the mic over to my friends and experts…

“I love authors who have lots of ideas. I’m a career agent and like to work with authors throughout their careers, so knowing we have lots of projects we can do together makes me really excited.” ~ Ann Rose, Literary Agent with The Tobias Literary Agency 

“Today’s literary marketplace is so, so challenging. Literary agents must present outstanding, out-of-the-box proposals to editors for non-fiction projects. As an author, you need to have a superb proposal. Many sites explain what that entails: Overview, About the Author, Competitive and Comparative Ties, The Market, PR, and Publicity Annotated TOC. This also includes a sample chapter or two.

I want authors to be passionate about their work but be aware of the reality of the marketplace. They need to be able to sell their work in a few provocative soundbites. As they have heard a million times over, their social media platform and sales track (if they have one), along with their credential, are critical today. It is not enough to simply write extremely well. Authors also need to be willing to take direction and edits” ~ Laura Yorke, Literary Agent, Editor, and Founder of Laura Yorke Literary Services.

“I love when a new author client comes prepared with a marketing plan in advance and has already started networking, building contacts, and has a strategic platform in order to entice a book publisher. Obtaining quotes from leading or best-selling authors (along with the submission of the complete manuscript), an author website, and 250,000 connections of potential book buyers is vital today, especially for nonfiction projects. You must get known before the book deal.  Fiction requires the same dedication because once you are published, time for this task will be limited. Black Hawk Literary Agency will shortly mandate that a writer must have 250,000 contacts (not a purchased email list) before this agency submits a manuscript to publishers.”  ~ Jan Kardys, Literary Agent, Black Hawk Literary Agency.

“For me, a strong partnership between a literary agent and author (and/or illustrator) is a collaborative one. In order to be successful, it must be built on trust, open and honest communication, and working together to send out the very best work.” ~ Sera Rivers, Literary Agent at Speilburg Literary Agency.

There you have it. It’s about a great read, a clean proposal, and many, many, many followers.

It truly is a business. Of course, not all literary agents have the same “loves” and have a wide range of “asks” of their authors. But one thing remains constant. They’re hungry to work with motivated authors. Like finding the perfect publisher to take on your book project, acquiring the right literary agent takes time and effort. To make the relationship fruitful, ask them what they love in their authors, then strive to make it a win-win.

To find the best literary agent for you and your work, visit the Association of Author’s Representatives or their public roster of experienced and ethics-abiding literary agents.