Do You Need a Literary Agent for Your Non-Fiction Book?

It's a question that I am often asked by fellow writers- when do you need an agent? In the world of fiction novels, the answer is very clear: yes. Most legitimate publishers will not accept fiction manuscripts from unsolicited sources and prefer that reputable literary agents do their screening for them. They know that a good agent will not present them with a book they don't think the publisher will want.

In non-fiction, however, things aren't so cut and dried. Most non-fiction (with the exception of creative or narrative non-fiction) is sold with a book proposal rather than the whole manuscript. With a non-fiction book, it is easier for a publisher to get a sense of what the book is all about. Many non-fiction publishers accept un-agented proposals from writers. I sold my first series of small business books without a literary agent. I do, however, now have an agent and I would never go back.

There are many good reasons for you to seek out an agent for your non-fiction book:

1. Literary agents have access to more publishers than you do.

Some publishers, especially large ones like Harper Collins and Random House, do not accept unsolicited proposals. An agent with a track record of sales to these publishers is worth his or her weight in gold as your proposal will get past the gate-keeper at these houses.

2. Literary agents know the business.

Even if you think you have a good head for numbers and can probably negotiate your own contract, agents can get your proposal in the right hands more quickly than you can. They know the publishers to whom they are shopping your book. They know what the publisher has already bought, what's selling for them, and what they are likely to buy in the future. They won't waste time submitting to publishers who won't be interested in your book. And they know the best angle from which to pitch your book.

3. Literary agents can be the bad guy.

Publishing contract negotiations can be intense on both sides. They sometimes involve one or both sides digging their heels in the sand and can be argumentative. The benefit of a literary agent here is that he or she knows how far to push the publisher and can act like the bad guy on your behalf. If you negotiate your own book contract- and if you do it the right way- you will be starting your relationship off with your new publisher on a potentially sour note. Let your agent take the punches and you can walk in with a smile.

4. Literary agents understand the money.

An experienced literary agent negotiates your book contract from a position of strength. He or she knows what is standard in the industry in the way of advances and royalties, as well as the trends. Your agent also knows how much the publisher in question has paid other authors recently for similar work. All of this knowledge is vital in contract negotiations to ensure that you get every penny you can. Your agent makes money only when you do.