# Literary agent > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Literary_agent > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Literary_agent.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_agent > Source revision: 1349673461 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Type of agent}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2010}} A '''literary agent''' is an [agent](/source/law_of_agency) who represents [writer](/source/writer)s and their written works to [publisher](/source/publisher)s, [theatrical producer](/source/theatrical_producer)s, [film producer](/source/film_producer)s, and [film studio](/source/film_studio)s, and assists in sale and deal negotiation. Literary agents most often represent [novelist](/source/novelist)s, [screenwriter](/source/screenwriter)s, and non-fiction writers. Reputable literary agents generally charge a commission and do not charge a fee upfront. The commission rate is generally 15%.{{Cite web |last=Brewer |first=Robert Lee |title=Do Literary Agents Cost Money? |url=https://www.writersdigest.com/publishing-insights/do-literary-agents-cost-money |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=Writer's Digest |language=en}} == Diversity == Literary agencies can range in size from a single agent who represents perhaps a dozen authors, to a substantial firm with senior partners, sub-agents, specialists in areas like foreign rights or licensed merchandise tie-ins, and clients numbering in the hundreds. Most agencies, especially smaller ones, specialize to some degree. They may represent—for example—authors of science fiction, mainstream thrillers and mysteries, children's books, romance, or highly topical nonfiction. Very few agents represent short stories or poetry. Legitimate agents and agencies in the book world are not required to be members of the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR), but according to ''[Writer's Market](/source/Writer's_Market)'' listings, many agents in the [United States](/source/United_States) are. To qualify for AAR membership, agents must have sold a minimum number of books and pledge to abide by a Canon of Ethics.{{cite web|url=http://aaronline.org/Join|title=Association of Authors' Representatives, Inc. – Join|work=aaronline.org}} == See also == {{main cat|Literary agents}} {{category see also|Literary agencies}} * [Writer's Market](/source/Writer's_Market) * [List of UK literary agencies](/source/List_of_UK_literary_agencies) == References == {{Reflist}} == Further reading == * Curtis, Richard (2003) ''How To Be Your Own Literary Agent: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published''. {{ISBN|0-618-38041-8}} * Herman, Jeff (2005) ''Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents, 2006''. {{ISBN|0-9772682-0-9}}. * Fisher, Jim (2004) ''Ten Percent of Nothing: The Case of the Literary Agent from Hell''. {{ISBN|0-8093-2575-6}} * Glatzer, Jenna (2006) ''The Street Smart Writer''. {{ISBN|0-9749344-4-5}} * Williams, Sheri (2004) "An Agent's Point of View". {{ISBN|0-9748252-5-5}} * Reiss, Fern (2007) "The Publishing Game: Find an Agent in 30 Days". {{ISBN|1-893290-83-2}} == External links == {{Book Publishing Process}} {{Authority control}} Category:Literary agents Category:Literary agencies Category:Occupations in literature Category:Entertainment occupations Category:Talent and literary agencies --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Literary agent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_agent) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_agent?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.