When having a book published, what cut does a literary agent get?

Question

I've written a book-length murder mystery and I'm trying to get up the nerve to submit it to literary agents and/or publishing houses. I'd like to go straight to the publishing houses, but I understand that many don't talk to writers without agents or take unsolicited manuscripts. So I was wondering... what kind of cut would an agent be taking?

Also how do most of the publishing houses pay ... a flat fee, a fee plus royalties, royalties only?!?

Any other advice on getting published would be appreciated as well!

Answer 1

Agents traditionally get about 15% (but, they can negotiate your contract so you end up making much more on your book than you might).

Publishing houses wipay in royalties, however they will pay you an advance first. This money is basically your first royalty check, and once you earn more royalties than that dollar amount you will start to recieve more royalty payments.

Answer 2

15%, used to be less, when people actually read books that weren't written by Pamela Anderson. Oh, well. Agents have to make a living too.

You could also self-publish. In fact, unless you have reason to believe your book is especially marketable, you will have to self-publish. 15% of 3 or 4 books is not a whole lot of money for the agency. They won't be interested.

Answer 3

15%.