literary agent

Literary Agents provide the bridge between the writer and the publishing business. A good literary agent will be your champion and advocate, and you will trust their feedback, judgement and recommendations implicitly.

The job of a Literary Agent is multi-faceted and includes contract negotiation, editorial feedback and support for writers, financial management of advances and royalties, and publicity and marketing for their writers. Many writers remain with the same Literary Agent for their entire careers, with the relationship being as crucial as that of a business partner or spouse.

Juliet Pickering Blake Friedmann Literary Agency

Juliet started out as a bookseller at Waterstones after University, and became aware through meeting writers that they had Literary Agents. She did a few weeks’ work experience at a Literary Agency, and then applied for a role as Agent’s Assistant. After a few years learning the role, she began building her own list of writers and gradually became a Literary Agent in her own right after five or so years at the agency.

“Most often the way into the industry is to do an internship – many of which are paid, and some come with help towards accommodation if you don’t live in London. It doesn’t have to be in an agency, it can be at a festival, a bookshop, a library…. You’ll get to see how the industry works, and what the job is like, as well as become aware of job vacancies you might want to consider.”

You can find more links to organisations which advertise graduate roles, internships, and help with accommodation if you’re not based in London, on the back page of this booklet.