What does it take to be a Literary Agent?

Question

I'd like some information on this subject because anyone can claim to be a literary agent. I don't want to find myself going through that hassle of frauds as a writer, so if I could represent myself and others it would save me and countless others from dealing with situations of fraud.

Answer 1

Journalism should be part of your background.

The best way to become an agent is to join a literary agency at the lowest level possible, and work up towards becoming an agent. You need to prove yourself first, before they can make you an agent - no one just walks in and becomes an agent suddenly without years of experience in the industry and field (as an editor, assistant, etc.. anything BUT an agent). Some agents might approach you in your other literary-like job and say: You've got the skills to be an agent, what do you say? It's partly luck, and mostly a lot of contacts.

Best thing to do, is to find a literary agent to shadow and ask them to help give you an idea on how to become a good, solid literary agent, not one of those scam artists.

You should definitely learn the business, and learn how to see agents from a writer's perspective.

Here's a great website to read about how an author would get an agent, and he points out what constitutes a fake agent (things you can avoid).

http://www.sff.net/people/dan.perez/writing/agents.htm

You can also go to NYU and take the ONLY course in the world on how to become a literary agent.

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/peterrubie/

Answer 2

in case your e book is going to do properly, no agent will desire income advance.....it truly is until eventually they are paying it to you. It sounds like vanity publishing. Get a reproduction, or borrow from library, a reproduction of Writers and Artists yearbook, or visit them on-line. they are going to advise the properly desirable publishers that you ought to deliver your MS to. ignore about this organization. in case your e book is worth examining, you get the money, no longer them!