The Modern Literary Agent

Abstract

In today’s world of book publishing the mainstream publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts from authors - the so-called slush pile has either moved online (to sites such as Wattpad) or to the offices of literary agents. To win a publishing contract with a publisher, a first-time novelist must first secure an agent to represent them. The agent takes a prominent role in trade publishing, acting as a gatekeeper for new authors, and pitching books to publishers. Agents remain a fundamental part of the ecosystem of trade publishing, and are valued by both authors and publishers. There are significant challenges to the established media gatekeepers: authors may find an audience through social media, podcasting, fan fiction, or through self-publication in e-book form. Yet there remains the cachet of publishing with an established publishing house, plus the publisher has access to high street retail for the print edition. As diversity has become such a live issue in contemporary publishing, questions arise as to how the agent’s gatekeeping role is exercised. Possible threats to the role of the agent come not only from self-publishing but from the continuing consolidation among publishing companies, publishers dealing directly with authors, and the erosion of authors’ incomes.