The times, they are a-changin’. Gone are the days when publishers paid authors based on how many copies of their book they sold. Now, the industry has shifted to focusing on content creation and curation. If you’re passionate about literature, you may have noticed that obtaining an agent is no longer a necessary step to publishing your book. Thanks to platforms like Amazon’s Kindle and Apple’s iBookstore, which act as virtual publishing houses, anyone with a good enough idea and the ability to string words together can become a freelance writer. Or, at least, they can attempt to monetize their passion for literature through affiliate sales or even just by selling their own books independently.
The rise of the self-published author has meant that literary agents have had to adjust their approach to better suit the needs of their clients. Gone are the days when a single novel, typically categorized as a “short story,” would suffice as a complete manuscript. Today, aspiring authors are more likely to put out a collection of linked short stories or novelettes rather than focus on a single work that may or may not be published.
If you’re looking to enter the literary world, the question is: how can you do so without getting scammed? Here are some things you should avoid and some things you should do to ensure you emerge unscathed from this lucrative yet treacherous industry.
Don’t Get Led Astray By The Promise Of Easy Money
Paying a team of people to help you write your book may seem like a convenient shortcut to getting your manuscript published, but believe it or not, there are still wolves in sheep’s clothing out there who will use your naivety to get rich off your dream of becoming a writer. It’s happened to all of us, so it can happen to you. Even now, as you’re reading this, there are probably people who want to scam you out of your money and steal your manuscript.
If you see a link on social media that looks suspicious or if someone sends you an email asking for your help to “finish” a book, stay away. Learn to recognize the red flags and do your research before getting involved with any literary agent, content creator, or intermediary.
LITERARY AGENTS
Anyone can set up an agency website, register with an online service, and start taking on clients. But is that all it takes to succeed as a literary agent? While it’s relatively easy to open up an agency and start taking on clients, becoming a successful agent is a totally different matter. And it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of honing your skills and establishing yourself as an expert in your field.
A literary agent’s job isn’t just to get your manuscript published. They are also responsible for marketing and promoting your work, negotiating with publishers, and ensuring that your voice is heard by the right audience. All of this comes with a steep learning curve, and it doesn’t come cheaply. The majority of literary agents will charge you somewhere between $25,000 and $45,000 for an initial consultation, and they will then charge you an hourly rate of $200 to $300 for the rest of the year. While this may seem like a lot of money, keep in mind that without the fees, you’re looking at a potentially life-changing event for which you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
Content CREATORS & MARKETERS
If you’re looking to monetize your writing, you have a couple of options beyond publishing your book. You can create and curate content for platforms like Amazon’s Kindle or Apple’s iBookstore. Alternatively, you can try your hand at affiliate marketing, where you’ll be paid based on the revenue you generate from advertisers.
If you can pull in enough revenue, you can eventually surpass the income you’d make from just selling your books. With some effort, you can become a full-fledged content creator, able to sustain yourself solely through the amount of revenue you generate.
Get A Limo Driver, NOT A SENTRIES WINGER
If you’re serious about publishing a book, you’ll need to find a limo driver to take you to your interviewers’ appointments, parties, and other events where you’ll be seen by people who can help you market your book. But, even then, you shouldn’t go with the popular option of getting a rideshare driver. Instead, go for a classic sedan, or a luxury vehicle. It will add that extra touch of sophistication to your life. You’ll also want to make sure that the person you’re contracting with is a professional, who will take care of your belongings and ensure you arrive home safely. If you’re going to be attending networking events, coffee meetings, or other social gatherings, consider renting a private party bus so that everyone can get in on the action. You’ll find plenty of luxuries on the road to becoming a successful literary agent, but you won’t find them in the form of gimmicks. It takes hard work, dedication, and education.