Demystifying Different Types of Literary Agencies

WORK WITH ME ON YOUR STORY

DOWNLOAD MY FREE STORY SELF-ASSESSMENT!

SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER FEATURING WRITING/PUBLISHING EXPERTS

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

If you're looking for a literary agent to help you get your book traditionally published by a major publishing house, you have likely discovered that there are a number of different types of agencies. But how do they work and what do authors need to know when querying literary agents? In this video, I explore the literary agent side of the publishing industry and discuss how different types of agencies are structured.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

GREAT BOOKS ABOUT WRITING/PUBLISHING:

SOME OF MY FAVORITE NOVELS:

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
RELATED LINKS:

TYPES OF LITERARY AGENCIES:
1. Big Talent Agencies
2. Mid-Sized Agencies
3. Boutique Agencies
4. Individual Agencies

ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with 7+ years of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey—whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.

Feel free to get in touch!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
MUSIC:
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

[cubflyer]

Your videos are absolute gems. I am learning a lot as I embark on the process of publishing.

[nadyap.]

You are literally a godsend!! Thank you so much!!

[FasterThanYou]

Thank you for this. Knowledge is power, and this information goes a long way toward making me more confident about the publishing process. And helping me avoid mistakes.

[rainsmom]

Your channel has information I haven't found in other places. Thank you so much -- I'm learning a lot! (Nice to meet you!)

[mamasighs]

Really appreciate this and all of your videos. Wondering, if a writer is in the fortunate position of fielding multiple offers from agents belonging to different-sized agencies--one from a gigantic one that recently merged with another big one; one from a biggish mid-sized, and one from a "growing" boutique-- would you recommend one over another? This is, of course, all things other being equal, particularly the agents' passion for the work/you. Should you expect more/less attention from one agent vs another; possible volatility (your agent leaving, etc.) with an enormous agency?

[kenmay]

Alyssa, loved the video. Great content! Here is my question: would it be fair to say that an agent who works with a larger agency would be more likely to have more contacts to possibly be able to get a publisher to pick up a book? What are your thoughts? TIA!!

[OnyieOnyeabor]

Great knowledge. Were you in New York gathering all this knowledge or did you work at another publishing house?

[Redskirt]

What does it mean when you say an agency is more corporate? Does that mean less personal treatment? Less wiggle room for authors (meaning the agency's ways of doing business are less flexible)?

[wielandpa]

After more than a hundred sent without that all elusive "offer call, " I'm beginning to have some suspicions about agent. Namely that some, perhaps many cannot afford to agent full-time and must have side-gigs to make ends meet. Is this true in your experience?

[toughnabeel]

So if a literary agency accept someone's manuscript, they will forward it to a publishing house?