Getting published is one of the most exciting experiences for any author. And whether you’re new to the traditional publishing world or have already published multiple works, you should be aware of the costs of traditional publishing.

Publishing the traditional way can help broadcast your book to the world. A strong publishing company can produce a beautiful print book and help establish your name with large book retailers. This increases your potential readers—and potential book sales!

But traditional publishing does have expenses, and you have to be aware of your costs throughout the entire publishing process. From book preparation and printing all the way through marketing and distribution, you should educate yourself on the costs associated with traditional publishing.

Steps to publish a book the traditional way

So you’ve finished your book. You can feel your first book sale coming. And you can picture your very own book launch event! You worked hard on your book and are excited for the world to read it. And when you decide to sign a book deal with a traditional publishing company, you know you’re on your way to becoming a successful author.

But publishing is a process. And it starts with research and ends with patience.

What steps should you take to publish a book the traditional way?

The first step in publishing your book the traditional way is to familiarize yourself with the publishing process. One main aspect to research is your genre. Publishers often specialize in specific genres. So if you’ve written a poetry book, search for poetry-specific publishers. If you’ve created a children’s picture book, find a publisher who focuses on younger ages. And if you write across different genres, you can find a hybrid publisher.

Here are a few additional questions to ask yourself while you research the process:

• If you’re an indie author, do you want to work with a self-publishing company, or will you only look at traditional publishers?
• Are you focusing on domestic publishing, or are you branching out internationally?
• Should your publishing company offer additional services such as a marketing coordinator or a book cover designer?

The next step in publishing your book the traditional way is to find a literary agent. Many publishing companies only work with agents rather than directly with an author—so you often need a literary agent to even convince a publisher to read your manuscript!

What do you need to prepare in order to publish a book the traditional way?

Each publisher and literary agent will require you to formally submit your work for their review. This is known as a book proposal. Your book proposal will include things like a query letter, a one-sentence pitch of your manuscript, and a sample of your work.

Preparation is the key to successful publishing! As you research publishing companies and literary agencies, take notes on the information and documents that they request. Take your time preparing these items and submit your full book proposal when you’re ready!

What are the other components of traditional publishing that you should be aware of?

There is one major component of the publishing process that many authors overlook: patience. Whether you’re an established writer or an indie author just starting out, it will take time to hear back about your publishing deal. Every publishing house and literary agent receives a lot of manuscripts from authors, so it’s common for them to take weeks—or even months—to respond.

Patience—or lack thereof—is a reason that some authors choose to self-publish their books. It’s true that the traditional publishing process can take a while. But be patient—it’ll be worth it when you sign a great book deal!

Costs of preparing a book for publishing

If you’re a new author, you might not be aware of all the costs involved with preparing a book for publishing. From editing all the way through creating your book’s back cover text, you should have a strong grasp on the services you’ll need to prepare your masterpiece for the world.

How much does it cost to format a book with a traditional publisher?

Traditional publishing carries different costs depending on what services you need. Your publishing house might have a book editor on staff to make sure there are no continuity gaps or typos in your manuscript. But here are a few lesser-known services that you might need to pay for:

• Book cover design. Your print book needs an eye-catching cover to draw in potential readers.
• Book jacket text. You might want to consider hiring a professional to write a stunning synopsis and pitch for your book.
• Printing cost. Hardcover books cost more to print than paperback books. So if you have a strong preference for hardcovers, prepare yourself for a higher printing cost.
• Audiobook formatting. Even if you’re starting with a print book, you might want to consider also publishing your manuscript as an audiobook. E-books are extremely popular and will help your book be available to a lot more people than just a print book.

How much do proofreading services cost when going through a traditional publisher?

Proofreading is an essential part of the traditional publishing process. Every word in your book—from the book cover all the way through your acknowledgments—needs to be proofread by a professional.

Your proofreading cost will really depend on the length of your work. For instance, if you’ve created a children’s book with a lot of illustrations and just a little bit of text, your proofreading cost will be quite low. But a full-length novel that is several hundred pages long will cost more to proofread.

The best way to manage your proofreading cost is to ask how your publisher and proofreader charge for this service. Some proofreading and editing professionals charge by the word, and others by the hour. They can provide you with an estimate so that you’re prepared for their final invoice.

What other costs go into preparing a book for publishing in the traditional method?

Some of your printing costs will be covered in your overall book deal. Your publisher might absorb some of these costs because they’re confident that your book will earn both them and you a lot of money. It’s common for a traditional publisher to cover the cost of editing, proofreading, and even printing your book.

Keep in mind that book marketing costs are not always covered in a book publishing deal. While your publisher might inform large retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble of your book, they might not cover additional advertising expenses.

If you’ve signed on with a literary agent, find out how they can help create a book marketing campaign. This might include a book launch event, a social media push, or even Internet, television, or radio coverage. This is a chance to introduce yourself and your book to the world. So be creative, have fun, and set aside a healthy marketing budget!

Printing costs in traditional publishing

Whether you choose to work with a traditional publishing house or a self-publishing service, getting published is likely your ultimate goal. But before you sign that book deal or publishing contract, you should be aware of the printing costs that you can expect.

How much are average printing costs when traditionally publishing a book?

Your printing cost will depend on your book deal and your publishing house’s process. There might be a book quantity specified in your publishing contract—and the contract might also detail the hardcover and paperback book quantities.

The printing method that your publishing house uses might also affect your printing cost. If your book printer is going to produce a huge quantity of books using a method like offset printing, your printing cost will be different from a demand publishing house that will only produce copies of your book as they’re ordered.

How can you cut back on printing costs when publishing a book traditionally?

Printing costs can add up. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can keep your printing costs low. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when you negotiate your publishing contract:

• Consider printing more paperback books and less hardcover copies. Hardcovers are more expensive to print than paperback.
• Ask your book printer if they use large-quantity print methods like offset printing to keep the costs low.
• Research the actual paper that will be used for your book. Paper comes in different thicknesses and qualities, so this very basic element of your book can really affect the cost.
• Find out if your traditional publisher works with e-books. Since these are entirely digital, there is no actual printing cost

Why does it cost more to print a traditionally published book?

Book printing is one of the highest costs in the traditional publishing industry. One main reason is the quantity of books that they print. A large publishing house might print thousands of copies of your book that they sell to retailers. And this costs money! From the labor to set up the printing machines to the actual paper and ink, book printing can be an expensive process.

If you choose a self-publishing service instead of a traditional publisher, your printing costs might be lower. But so will your quantity of books and exposure to large retailers. If you self-publish, you can have your books printed on demand. This means that your book is only printed when someone buys a copy.

Your book is an investment. You’ve worked hard to complete your manuscript, and the world is ready to read it! Although printing your book with a traditional publishing company might cost a little money, a traditional publisher can also make your book accessible to a much wider audience. And that means more book sales for you!

Marketing and other costs associated with traditional publishing

Whether you’ve been publishing books for years or are making a name for yourself as a new author, you should be aware of all of the costs associated with traditional publishing. You already know that printing your book can be expensive. But you’ll also need to look out for costs associated with marketing, editing, and distribution.

What are the marketing costs associated with traditional publishing?

Book marketing costs vary depending on the marketing methods you choose. If you want to keep your costs low, you can create a book-specific website and new profiles on your social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. But marketing your book is an investment. And if you want to put your masterpiece in front of as many potential readers as possible, you might want to consider a larger book marketing campaign.

Your publishing contract might include a marketing budget. Your publishing house and literary agent can help you create a marketing campaign that includes all kinds of advertising. They can even help you navigate through gender discrimination in the publishing industry by crafting a strong book marketing strategy.

Marketing your book can be fun and exciting. It’s another chance in your book process to be creative. You might even get to travel on a book tour or hold a book launch event! These larger-scale marketing methods cost money, but they’ll also help you ring up those book sales.

What are the editing costs associated with traditional publishing?

Many traditional publishing houses have editing resources. Even a small independent publisher might have an editing staff available to you, even if the editors aren’t part of the publishing company itself. The editing process has several steps, including the developmental edit, line edit, and copyedit phases.

The largest factor that will affect your editing cost is the length of your book. The longer your book, the longer it’ll take to edit. But the editing style that your book requires can also affect the price. For instance, a nonfiction book will require a different editing style and process than a fictional children’s book.

Set yourself up for publishing success

Your book deserves to be seen by the world. And a traditional publishing company can help! But first you need a partner to help you prepare your book for the publishing process. Elite Authors can help polish your book so it’s ready for publishing success.

We offer a range of services, including editing, cover design, marketing, book trailers, and book formatting. Visit our website today to get started on your way to a successful book publishing experience!

The post How Much Does Traditional Publishing Cost? appeared first on Elite Authors.

Many an author and aspiring author has asked themselves whether they should put all their efforts into securing a conventional book deal from a traditional publisher, or whether they should proceed with the self-publishing process. But what if it’s not a question of self-publishing versus traditional publishing? What if it’s a question of both? Finding a literary agent is not easy; you have to research literary agents, write a synopsis of your book, write a query letter, and send in your submission package to the literary agent.

And after all that, there’s no guarantee a literary agent will even take a serious look at your submission package. But what if you’ve already established some success for your book through self-publishing? Now, that’s a different story. This article will look at some of the reasons to publish a book traditionally after self-publishing it, when to seek out a publishing house after self-publishing, and some steps to transition from self-publishing to traditional publishing.

Reasons to publish your book traditionally after self-publishing it

Authors often spend weeks, if not months, fretting over whether they should self-publish their book or try to secure a traditional book deal. If an author has finally made the decision to self-publish a book and gone through with it, why should they then be thinking about traditional book publishing?

Can you even get a traditional book deal after having self-published a book?

Yes, you can pursue the traditional publishing route even after self-publishing. And it’s not all that rare of a process, either. There are several great reasons to consider self-publishing a book. One big reason for a lot of writers is simply that it’s their only option. Comparatively few people who set out to write end up with a traditionally published book. You must accept that authors who finish their work do it primarily to satisfy their own creative passions.

But even if you try unsuccessfully to secure a traditional book deal and then opt to become a self-published author, this is not the end of your dreams to become a (traditionally) published author. Many books began their lives as self-published works and after having garnered success in that realm, graduated to a traditional book deal.

Why publish your book traditionally after self-publishing it?

There’s no rule that states every book must or should secure a traditional publishing deal. Many authors are perfectly happy using self-publishing platforms. Perhaps you simply wanted to share your expertise on a niche topic with the relatively few people out there who would want to read a book on said topic. Or maybe you just wanted to write a novel for the sake of writing a novel and enjoy the journey, not the destination.

The publishing industry is tough, but your book will almost certainly reach more people if it is published by a big publisher. Furthermore, it’s less common for self-published books make any significant money. If you want as many people to enjoy your work as possible, or if you want to see if you can actually make some money for all your trouble, then you want to be a traditionally published author. If you want to reach as many eyeballs as possible or to achieve a high number of book sales, then it makes sense to pursue a traditional publishing contract even after you’ve gone the self-publishing route.

Should you seek out a literary agent after self-publishing your book?

Many authors feel like they can’t get their foot in the door with a traditional publisher without having a literary agent. And, as mentioned above, getting a literary agent is not always easy. However, it will be easier to get a traditional book deal with a literary agent on your side, and it will be easier to achieve that if you can demonstrate a modicum of demand for your work.

This means your self-published book needs to look professional. And self-publishing is rarely cheap. However, if you’re serious about your long-term goal of securing a mainstream publisher, it’s worth it. One expense that’s highly advisable is hiring a book editor before you approach a literary agent or publishing company.

Reasons to publish your book traditionally after self-publishing it

As mentioned , it’s often a good idea to secure a traditional book deal after self-publishing a book. There are a couple of good reasons for doing this, but ultimately it boils down to this: a self-published book is often more appealing to a literary agent or even a traditional publisher because they have a better idea of the potential for success with your book, and because some of the initial hard work is already done.

Will traditional publishers really consider publishing your book more after you’ve already self-published it?

Yes, they might! Many writers who seek out a publishing house for a traditional book deal after already self-publishing their book had also tried contacting big publishers before they self-published. They just couldn’t secure a traditional publishing deal then. But if your goal is a traditionally published book, it makes no sense to give up. The publishing industry is full of gambles, but if you can demonstrate there is a demand for your book via self-publishing and, perhaps more importantly, that you’re serious about your writing goals, literary agents, small publishers, and big publishers alike will be more inclined to give your book serious consideration.

Is traditional publishing even worth it? What are the benefits?

Some self-published authors don’t see the value in giving a traditional publisher a cut of their revenue, and that’s fair enough. But while you should never let pessimism derail your artistic output, it is important to be realistic. Most published authors don’t make a lot of money on their books, and that number is considerably smaller for self-published authors. A traditional publisher can promote your book much better than you can, and they get it into many more bookstores.

How can self-published writers become successful through traditional publishing?

Even if your self-published book has exceeded all your goals for success, it’s still likely that a traditional publisher could sell far more copies of your book. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with writing a book to satisfy your own artistic needs and getting great pleasure from the small number of people who read your self-published book. But many authors would define success in monetary terms or simply by getting their books into as many hands as possible, and a traditional publishing house is far likelier to be able to do that than you can by self-publishing.

When to seek out traditional publishing after self-publishing your book

For all the reasons above, many self-published authors will consider it worth their time to try to secure a traditional publishing deal even after self-publishing their book. But just how does one go about doing that?

When is the best time to seek out traditional publishing after self-publishing a book?

There’s no golden time, like six months or two years, for example, after self-publishing to seek out a traditional publisher. What’s important is waiting long enough for your self-published book to have some success. With online booksellers and e-books, it’s never been easier to have success as a self-published author. You want to wait until you can demonstrate that you have had success with your self-published book before you reach out to literary agents or traditional publishers.

How can the success of a self-published book help you get a traditional publisher?

It’s pretty simple: if you can demonstrate that your book can sell, even at the modest self-publishing level, then publishers will be interested. If your self-published book doesn’t sell, then, unfortunately, it seems like you’ll have to retool your book or try another idea to get published.

How can sales of a self-published book demonstrate the marketability of your work to a traditional publisher?

While some self-published books have sold like hotcakes, most successful self-published books still do modest numbers. But even this can demonstrate marketability. This is especially true if you can demonstrate that your book appeals to a specific demographic, such as sports fans, young women, gardening enthusiasts, or elementary school children. This lets the publisher know they’ll have a clear plan for marketing your book. It’s all about demonstrating that you have a successful platform, which is something you can also do with consistent blog writing.

Pros and cons of traditional publishing after self-publishing your book

As with everything else in life, there are both pros and cons of going the traditional publishing route after self-publishing your book.

What should you consider when publishing your book traditionally after having self-published it?

Many authors dream of signing a deal with a traditional publishing company, but it’s no guarantee of happiness or success. You’ll have much less control and ownership of a traditionally published book than a self-published e-book. Consider that you’ll make less money off each copy sold and you’ll have much less influence over things like book cover design.

What should you expect when having your book traditionally published?

It’s reasonable to expect more copies of your book to be sold. That’s the primary benefit of a traditional publishing house: their marketing muscle. But also expect them to want full rights to your work. If you initially published your book with a hybrid publisher, this could be a problem. Carefully review the contract you signed with your hybrid publisher.

What is the publisher’s responsibility in traditional publishing?

The publisher’s responsibility to you will be outlined in the publishing contract you sign with them, so a literary agent can really come in handy here. Basically, you can expect the publisher to handle distribution, marketing, warehousing, and, unlike how it sometimes in hybrid publishing, the publishing house will probably also provide a proofreader and editor.

Steps to transition from self-publishing to traditional publishing

Let’s say you’ve self-published your book and you’ve seen some success. What’s next?

How can you find a literary agent after self-publishing a book?

Finding a literary agent after self-publishing is not all that different from finding one with just a finished manuscript. As an indie author, you will need to assemble a submission package, and this might include your self-published book or merely an acknowledgement of and information about your self-published book. Then, you’ll need to do some research on which literary agents or agencies fit your needs. That is to say, if you’ve written a gritty, hardboiled crime novel, an agency that specializes in publishing children’s books is probably not the right fit for you.

How can you get the attention of a traditional publisher after self-publishing a book?

Some literary agents will recommend you pull your self-published book from the market before seeking a traditional publishing company. But this is not universally accepted. If you have your own agent, ask them. Whatever you do, don’t hide the fact that you’ve self- or indie published. Hopefully, you’ll be able to demonstrate some previous success, so it will be good to make that known.

What are the best ways to market your self-published book to a traditional publisher?

The publishing industry is vast and varied, so there’s no one way to market yourself to a mainstream publisher. Try to show them that you know your target audience, and, above all else, be professional. You can’t afford to submit a book full of errors, which is another reason why book editors are so valuable.

There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to traditional publishing after self-publishing. From self-publishing companies and vanity publishers to mainstream publishers, there are many options and lots to learn for aspiring authors. Ultimately, you lose nothing by at least looking into traditional publishers and seeing what they think of your book. But getting to that point can be a confusing process. Elite Authors can help. We’ve helped countless aspiring authors achieve their publishing dreams. Could you be next? Contact us today and let’s find out!

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A literary agent can catapult your book to success. They can help establish you as a professional author—and a good agent can even make a name for you on the global market!

Most publishing companies won’t even look at unsolicited manuscripts. If you submit your book to a publishing house without being represented by an agent, chances are your work will land right in the slush pile. And that’s just a more friendly term for the garbage!

Publishers generally don’t want to hear directly from you as the author. Instead, they rely on your agent. Your literary agent’s role is to sell your work to a publishing house so that your book can be mass produced and mass marketed. Their goal is to make you a huge success. That means that they earn money from your book—and so do you!

What a literary agent does

Whether you have a small target audience or are hoping to market your book globally, you might want to consider hiring a literary agent. An agent can help establish you as a successful author—and help you make good money in the process. But before you decide whether to partner with an agent, it’s important to understand what they can and cannot do.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a literary agent?

As an author, your job is to create interesting and well-written works of art that the public wants to read. And your literary agent’s role is to show your art to the world. Agents are experts in the ins and outs of the publishing industry so that you don’t have to be.

Good book agents stay on top of industry trends. They know what people want to read and want publishers want to see. This helps them guide you and your work to success. Here’s a short list of ways your agent can help you become a renowned professional writer:

• Act as a liaison between you and the publishing industry
• Help create your query letter and book proposal so that each publishing house takes your work seriously
• Negotiate contracts with your publisher to make sure that you get the best deal
• Market your book to attract as many readers as possible

What should you expect when working with a literary agent?

Most publishing houses won’t even look at unsolicited submissions. But they will read manuscripts that agents bring to them. So if you’re determined to become a well-known author, it’s time to start the search for a good agent. In short: if a good agent signs you as a client, you can likely expect success!

Your book agent is your partner. And when you succeed, they succeed! Most agents get paid a commission based on the contract with your publisher and your overall book sales. Because your agent’s paycheck is directly tied to your success, you can expect them to work very hard to make a name for you.

What are the limitations of a literary agent’s responsibilities?

In your search for a literary agency and your specific agent, it’s important to ask the right questions. This will help ensure that you hire a reputable agent who can really help you become a successful author. It’ll also educate you on what your agent can and cannot do.

One of the biggest limitations to a book agent’s responsibilities is to help you finish your work. Although it’s possible that your literary agency will have an editor or copyeditor on their staff, it really is your responsibility as the author to complete your book. Your agent will want to see the finished product before they decide whether to sign you as a client.

Pros and cons of hiring a literary agent

Writing a book is a process. And so is hiring a literary agent! Your book deserves to be published and marketed to the public. A good agent can help establish you as a professional writer and help guide you through the publishing industry. But you will have to pay them a commission based on your book deal and sales.

The best way to determine whether to hire an agent is to decide how far you want your book to go—and to weigh the pros and cons of hiring an agent.

What should you consider when determining whether to hire a literary agent?

Literary agents are not all created equal. And it’s important that you find the right fit. Here are a few things to consider in your search to find a literary agent:

• Be sure to identify your target audience and use that information to search for an agent. One literary agency might specialize in children’s books, while another agency focuses on science fiction novels. Narrow your search by genre so that you can find the right agent to fit your book.
• Are you just looking for a good agent to help you navigate the publishing process and sign a book deal? Or do you need additional services such as editing, proofreading, or even graphic assistance like designing your book cover? Different agencies offer different services, so make sure that you’ve created a list of your needs before you start your agent search.
• What are your ultimate goals for your book? Are you hoping for an international book deal to cement your status as a professional author? Or do you prefer to work with a smaller independent publisher? Literary agencies have relationships with different publishers, so you’ll need to identify your overall goals before you start talking to potential agents.

How can you navigate the publishing industry without the help of a literary agent?

The publishing industry can be daunting. It’s not entirely set up for writers to navigate. Even if you’ve had previous success as a self-published author, you might need some assistance to learn the publishing process.

In general, a traditional publisher will not accept an unsolicited manuscript. Publishing houses receive a great deal of book samples and query letters from unknown authors. And they just don’t have the time and resources to review each one. But your agent can get your foot in the door with the publishing industry. When your agent submits a query letter and your manuscript to a publishing company, there’s a much better chance of your book getting the attention that it deserves.

There is a lot of work ahead of you if you try to publish without hiring a literary agent. You’ll need to create a very impressive submission package. You’ll have to spend a lot of time contacting publishers. And be prepared for rejection! This can be a frustrating process with a lot of negative feedback. So if you’re determined to navigate the publishing industry without an agent, you’ll have to develop a thick skin and a strong determination to find a publisher on your own.

What are the benefits of working with a literary agent?

Hiring a literary agent can really skyrocket your book’s success—and your success as a professional writer! Your agent can draw publishers’ attention to your work. They can negotiate contracts to get you a strong book deal. And many agents will even help market your book to the public!

Basically, your book agent is your guide through the publishing industry. Your agent can help with just about everything from your query letter and submission package all the way through establishing your book on the global market. You will have to pay them a commission. But it can be worth it when you see the results of their hard work!

How to find a literary agent

You’ve completed your manuscript. And you’ve decided to hire a literary agent to represent you with the publishing industry and help market your book. This is a very exciting time for you as a writer! Now it’s time to find the right agent—someone who will be a great partner for you and a strong advocate for your book.

How can you submit work to a literary agency?

Most literary agencies will require you to send them a formal submission package. This package often includes three main components:

1. Write a short but engaging summary of your book.
2. Query letter. Explain why your book is important and why you want to work with the agency that you’re submitting to.
3. Manuscript sample. Some agencies might require that you submit a sample of your book. So pick your favorite chapter or two and get ready to send it in!

Your submission package is the literary agency’s introduction to you as an author. It should be professional and impressive. You worked hard on your book and you’re excited to get published. So don’t cut corners when you submit to an agency. Give your submission package the time it deserves!

How long does it typically take to find and hire a literary agent?

It might seem like finding a book agent should be easy. Unfortunately, it can be a frustrating process filled with rejection. But don’t let that deter you! Your book deserves to be published. You just have to dedicate some time and energy to finding the right agent.

Keep in mind that your literary agent is your partner. Whether you’re a short story writer or have created a full-length novel, your agent will work hard to negotiate a book deal with a publisher. So you want to make sure that you choose an agent that you feel comfortable with. You have to be able to trust them to do what’s best for your book. And this process takes time. So be patient!

What are the challenges of finding a literary agent?

Agents are busy. Sometimes they’re so busy that they stop accepting new clients for several months at a time. And this is one of the biggest challenges that writers come across in their search for the right agent. Try not to be discouraged if this happens during your search for an agent. The best agents are often the busiest, so sometimes it’s worth the wait.

Another challenge that both nonfiction and fiction writers have to overcome is finding the right agent. Just because an agent is available doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for you and your book. So take your time—this is a big decision! Don’t rush into a partnership with a literary agency just because they’re available. Make sure they’re right for you.

Costs of working with a literary agent

One of the factors you should consider when searching for a literary agent is the cost. How much commission will they take? Will they charge extra for ancillary services such as editing or marketing?

You want to partner with a reputable agent who will work hard and charge fairly. And the first step in achieving that is to understand the costs associated with hiring an agent.

How do literary agents get paid?

For the most part, literary agents are paid on commission. This means that an agent won’t cost you money out-of-pocket. They will instead take a percentage of your earnings from the book deal that they negotiate for you with your publishing house.

They might also take a portion of any royalties that you earn for international translations and television or movie deals. Just make sure that you closely read all of the terms with the agency agreement you sign when you partner for your agent so that you know what to expect.

What does it mean for literary agents to work on commission?

Most reputable literary agents do not charge upfront costs. This is great for you as an author because you don’t have to put down any money for their service. But it does mean that you’ll see less money from your book deal. For instance: your agent might take a 10 percent or 15 percent commission from your book deal. You’ll get the remaining 85 percent or 90 percent.

Always be sure that you thoroughly understand the terms of your contract and agency agreement. You have to be aware of all costs and commissions that your agent is entitled to.

How should you determine whether a literary agent is worth it for you?

Hiring a literary agent is a big decision. You’re basically entrusting your work to a publishing industry professional. And although an agent should not charge any upfront fees, you have to make sure that it’s worth it for you to hire an agent.

If you are interested in self-publishing and are ready to put a lot of time and energy into marketing your book on your own, then you might not need an agent. But if your goal is to be a nationally—or even a globally—recognized author, it’s probably best to hire an agent. Their expertise and hard work will pay off once you have your first book deal and see those sales ringing up.

A literary agent can help you and your book succeed

When you hire a literary agent, you are partnering with a publishing industry expert. An agent can help establish you as a prominent professional writer.

In order to sign with an agent, you first have to impress them with a stellar submission package. Elite Authors understands how important this is. Contact us today to find out how we can help you stand out and sign the right agent!

The post What Is a Literary Agent? appeared first on Elite Authors.

If you’re a new writer just getting started in the professional literary field, you probably don’t have a literary agent. But if you want to make a big splash and earn a career as a serious author, you should consider partnering with a literary agency. Literary agents will show publishers that you are serious about selling your work. They will help you create a professional book proposal, earn a book deal, and market your book. Finding a literary agent can be difficult. But don’t worry! When you know what to look for, you’ll be able to find a literary agent. 

How to find your literary agent

You finished writing your manuscript. Congratulations! In order for your book to reach as many people as possible, you’ll want to hire a literary agent to represent you to the publishing industry and to help market your work. There are a few steps involved here.

First, you’ll need to assemble a submission package. Then, you’ll need to research some literary agents to find out which agencies fit your needs. For instance, one literary agency might specialize in children’s books; another might work with short-story authors; and another might focus on nonfiction.

Additionally, one agency might work only with a traditional publisher, whereas others have a network of indie contacts outside of the traditional publishing industry.

The next step is sending your submission package to a handful of literary agents. Once the agents have reviewed your work, you will basically interview each other to make sure you’re a good fit.

Be selective here—make sure that you choose an agent you’re comfortable with.

How does a writer find a literary agent?

There are a few steps involved in finding a literary agent. Each step is very important, so don’t cut corners during this process. You worked very hard completing your book, and it deserves the best attention and care throughout this phase.

Here is a quick look at the four main steps in finding a literary agent:

1. Write a synopsis of your book. This must be an engaging summary of what you’ve written.
2. Write a query letter. Think of this as a cover letter when you apply for a job. Your query letter should have some personal information about you as an individual, as well as why you want to work with the agent you’re targeting.
3. Research some agents. There are resources available all over the internet. Be sure to read reviews about the agents too! Reviews are firsthand accounts of how an agent works.
4. Send in your submission package. Altogether, the submission package includes your book synopsis and query. Many agents will also request a sample of your actual manuscript, so be prepared to submit that as well.

What is the first step in the process of finding a literary agent?

The first step in finding a literary agent is writing a synopsis of your book. It might be a challenge to condense your masterpiece into just a few paragraphs. But keep in mind that literary agents and traditional publishing companies receive countless unsolicited manuscripts—and a synopsis is a way to set your work apart from other authors’ submissions.

Make sure that your synopsis is short and to the point. Give a high-level view of your story. This needs to be engaging—leave the agent begging for more!

How do you assemble a submission package?

Each literary agency that you contact will have differing requirements for how to submit your work for review. Most agencies will require a synopsis and a query letter.

Some of them will also require at least a portion of your manuscript as a writing sample, so be prepared to send in a chapter or two that really showcase your writing style. Pick the most captivating parts of your book.

Your submission package is your book’s formal introduction to each literary agent, so it has to be impressive!

How to write a synopsis

Writing a synopsis is a difficult task for many authors. It sounds simple enough to summarize what you’ve written.

You’ve spent a very long time working on your characters, plot line, subplots, and all other aspects of your book—so much time, in fact, that you can’t see the forest for the trees. But the synopsis is a crucial aspect of your submission package to each literary agency.

What is a synopsis?

A synopsis is a summary. It provides your audience with a high-level idea of what your full manuscript is about. The synopsis is your book’s first impression to your literary agent, your publishing company, and your potential readers. So it needs to draw people in.

When you begin writing your synopsis, ask yourself one question: Why should people read my book?

Many authors have trouble writing synopses. They’ve been buried within their manuscripts for so long that it can be nearly impossible to separate themselves from the details and provide an overall idea of their stories.

If this sounds familiar to you, you might want to consider hiring a professional ghostwriter to create your synopsis. They’ll be able to look at your book with fresh eyes and ideas and create a riveting synopsis for you.

What does a synopsis include?

A synopsis should include a brief description of the overall theme of your book.

If you’ve written a fiction novel, give a brief introduction to the main character and their struggle. If you’ve written a short-story anthology, explain how the different stories tie together. And if you’ve written a nonfiction work, provide a few facts that lead into your main thesis.

Make sure that your synopsis showcases your writing style as well—this must be a good indication of how your full manuscript is written.

Do not include any personal information in your synopsis. Save that for the query letter. Let your synopsis tell your book’s story.

How long should a synopsis be?

Your synopsis should be short and sweet. Literary agents and publishing companies receive a lot of unsolicited manuscripts, so the idea here is to draw them in with a quick overview. Let them fall in love with your writing and your story so that they can’t wait to dive into your full manuscript.

Less is more when it comes to synopses, especially for new authors. Your synopsis is your gateway to a book deal, so spend some time and resources creating the best summary!

How to query a literary agent

If your synopsis is your book’s first impression as a literary work, then your query letter is your first introduction as an author. The query is similar to a cover letter that you submit with a résumé to a potential job opportunity.

Your query letter will basically state why you want to partner with a literary agent and why the agent should want to partner with you.

What is a query letter?

Your query letter is an introduction of you as an author to a literary agency. First impressions are important, so you really want to perfect your query letter. To help get you started, here are a few questions that you can answer in your query letter:

• Why do you want to work with this particular literary agent? (To answer this question, you will of course need to tailor each query letter for each literary agency.)
• Why should this literary agent want to work with you?
• Why did you choose to write this particular book?

Although it might be tempting to include information about your past work in your query letter, try not to. Let this new masterpiece stand on its own.

How do you begin a query letter?

The best way to begin a query letter is to explain why you want to work with this particular literary agent or agency. Maybe you have met the agent previously. Maybe a friend or family member partnered with the agency for their manuscript. Or maybe the agency focuses on topics that are important to you.

Regardless of the reasons you choose to list, the first section of your query letter should discuss why you have chosen this agency to submit your work. You will have to customize your query letter each time you submit to a new literary agency, so be sure to set aside time for this.

How do you close a query letter?

The end of your query letter should provide some information about yourself. This can include a brief explanation of why you chose to write your manuscript on your chosen topic. Or it can talk about what in general led you to become an author.

Be creative! The query letter is another way to draw in an agent who can help you secure a book deal and a lot of book sales.

This should be the shortest section of your query letter. The majority of the letter should focus on why you want to work with the agent and why they should want to work with you.

Make your query letter mostly about the agent, and sprinkle in some information about yourself as you close the letter.

Final steps in the process of finding a literary agent

There is so much to think about after you’ve finished your manuscript! Will you print, produce as an ebook, or both? Was writing your book a hobby and a labor of love, or are you hoping to make a living as an established author?

Whatever your goals, hiring a literary agent will help you accomplish them. Once you’ve created your synopsis and general framework for a query letter that can be customized for each literary agency, what are your next steps?

How many agents should you submit to?

It never hurts to cast a wide net. After all, it’s better to at least have conversations with several literary agents than to put all of your eggs in one basket. In the process of finding a literary agent, it’s best to start general and then move on to the specifics.

As you research potential literary agencies to submit your work to, keep the following questions in mind:

• Do you want to send your book to a major publisher, or do you prefer an agent who will work with a local or indie publishing house?
• Are you looking for a major book deal that includes public appearances, a social media marketing campaign, and other ways to get your name out there?
• Does your manuscript require a senior agent, or are you willing to work with someone less established?
• Will you need your agent to walk you through the publishing process?

Once you’ve answered the general questions, move on to the specific. Are there literary agencies that specialize in your subject matter? For instance, some literary agents might excel in children’s literature, while others are leaders in the nonfiction world.

Start by submitting your work to three or four specialized agencies. After that, branch out and contact the more general agents.  

Why should you personalize your queries?

Each query letter must be personalized to the individual literary agency that you send your submission package to. If you just include a generic letter without any information geared toward each individual agency, the agents will see that you took a shortcut.

Your query letter is your first impression as an author to an agent.

When you personalize your query letter, the literary agency will see that you took the time to tailor the letter to its specific requirements. The agency will take you more seriously as a dedicated writer and give the rest of your submission package the benefit of the doubt.

You spent too much time writing your book to fall short during this phase. Set yourself up for success by putting your best foot forward to each potential agent.

What happens if you get rejected?

Rejections happen. They are a part of everyday life. All successful authors will tell you that their path to greatness is paved with setbacks and rejections. Writing is not an easy profession!

The important thing to remember is that a rejection is not necessarily a negative reflection of your work—sometimes an author just isn’t the right fit for a literary agent.

So get back on that horse! Keep submitting your synopsis, query letter, and a portion of your manuscript to multiple literary agencies.

Finding a literary agent is not an easy task, and both you and the agent have to be confident that the relationship will be mutually beneficial. You will find the best agent to represent you. But this will require some patience and hard work.

Your book deserves a literary agent

Your book is the result of your hard work. Both you and your manuscript deserve to be successful. And a literary agent can help you achieve that success!

Before you send in your submission package to any literary agency, let Elite Authors help perfect your manuscript. Visit our website today to find out how our range of services will help you put your best foot forward!

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