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Question: Is a literary agent worth it!?
So, as you can guess, I'm (unpublished) author, and I'm split between getting an agent or using a self-publisher!. Why do I need an agent!? Well, I'm not writing romance, and that is basically the only press type that lets in unsolicited submissions!. However!.!.!.15-25% seems high, which is what was quoted to me!. So the question: is it worth it!?
I don't want answers from people who are not willing to keep an open mind to self publishing!. I'm using Lulu!.com so I don't feel promotion is a problem!.
Thanks for all answers!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
To be honest yes, using a self-publisher is ok, but if you are considering writing as a serious career, an agent is a must!. Granted they charge, but in the long term you'll make more then you would on your own, plus if you are looking to be published by a publishing house, they will get you the best price possible, and also ensure that you retain the copyright of your work, which is something many people without an agent lose!. also if you do want to be published by a publishing house, you won't be taken seriously if you don't have an agent!. However, if you are writing simply because you like it, and don't consider it something you would want to do full time, then you may as well self-publish, but if it's something you want to do full time an earn a living from, i'd highly recommend you get an agent!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Yes, 15-25 percent does sound high!. Reputable agents charge more like 10-15 percent!. (Co-agented and foreign sales may run as high as 25 percent, but at this stage of your writing career, that's not an issue that you need to be concerned about!.)
If you're represented by a legitimate agent (in the U!.S!., that probably means somebody who's a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives), you will most likely find that it is worth it!. That means you'll most likely find that 85-90 percent of what you'll earn with a good agent is a lot more than 100 percent of what you'll earn on your own!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I think self-publishing is a very viable option if you're not concerned about making tons of money!. Self-publishing is a great way to get people to read your book!. It's not necessarily a great way to get LOTS of people to read your book!. However, if you want your book to get published by a house and have the benefits of marketing and distribution, then yes!.!.!. an agent is absolutely the way to go!. You have to know somebody to get published in a big way, and agents are the ones who know people!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I think you should go with the agent for the first book publishing!. If you go with self-publishing, this may make it all the more difficult to be taken as a serious author!.
Most first published books sell low!. Its the ones after that where you make the money!.
also be wary of some agents who may not be so honest!.
Read this for more info:
http://www!.sfwa!.org/BEWARE/agents!.htmlWww@QuestionHome@Com
i think you should get an agent!.
the agent is one who helps you get published and helps get your book in the stores!.
i wouldn't recommend self publishing because it will be much harder for the world to find out about it!.
if you want your book to be well-known, i suggest to get an agent :}Www@QuestionHome@Com