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Great news: you’ve finished your book. After months (or years) of writing, revising, and obsessing over every word, it’s finally done.
But now comes the big question. How do I get this thing published?
If you’ve researched traditional publishing, you’ve probably heard people say you need a literary agent to get your foot in the door.
But is that really the case? Do all writers need literary agents, or are there other ways to get published?
The short answer is maybe.
The truth is, not every writer needs an agent. While literary agents are essential for breaking into major publishing houses, there are plenty of paths to getting your book into readers’ hands—and many don’t require an agent at all.
In this post, we’ll break down what a literary agent does, whether you need one, and how to decide the best publishing path for you.
What Does a Literary Agent Do?
A literary agent isn’t just someone who sends your book to publishers, writes queries, and does all the busy work so you don’t have to. They’re your advocate, career strategist, and deal negotiator. Here’s what they bring to the table:
Access to Traditional Publishers – Most major publishers (like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins) only accept submissions from agents, so this is often the only way to get your manuscript in front of them.
Negotiating Power – Publishing contracts are complex. An agent ensures you get the best advance, royalties, and rights protections.
Industry Knowledge – Agents know the market, understand what publishers want, and can guide your writing career in the right direction.
Opportunities Beyond Books – Some agents also negotiate film, TV, and foreign rights, expanding your book’s reach beyond its initial release.
Sounds pretty great, right? But here’s the thing: not every writer needs an agent.
How to Know If You Need a Literary Agents
The answer depends on your publishing goals. Some writers absolutely need an agent to achieve their publishing dreams, while others can find success through different routes.
Below, we’ll look at the most common publishing scenarios and whether a literary agent is necessary.
You DO Need a Literary Agent If…
You Want to Work With a Major Publisher
If your dream is to be published by a Big Five publisher—Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Hachette, or Simon & Schuster—you almost certainly need a literary agent. These publishers do not accept un-agented submissions.
Agents serve as the gatekeepers to these publishing houses. They have relationships with editors at major imprints and know who is looking for what type of book. Without an agent, you won’t have access to these publishers.
You Write Fiction or Memoir
For fiction writers (especially those writing literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, or middle grade), an agent is almost always necessary for securing a traditional book deal.
Memoir is another category where an agent is essential—most major publishers will only consider memoirs that come through an agent.
Why? Because fiction and memoirs require strong storytelling, agents can help ensure manuscripts are polished and marketable before they reach an editor’s desk.
You Want the Best Possible Contractual Deal
Publishing contracts are complicated. Advances, royalties, subsidiary rights, reversion clauses—there’s a lot to negotiate. Literary agents advocate for authors, ensuring they get the best possible advance, fair royalty rates, and rights protection.
Without an agent, you’re negotiating independently, leaving you vulnerable to lousy contract terms that might limit your book’s potential earnings.
You Want to Sell Foreign, Film, or Audio Rights
As mentioned earlier, literary agents don’t just negotiate book deals—they also handle foreign rights, film and TV options, and audiobook deals. If you want to maximize your book’s potential beyond its initial publication, having an agent can open up these additional revenue streams.
You MIGHT NOT Need a Literary Agent If…
You’re Self-Publishing
If you plan to self-publish, you do not need a literary agent. Instead, you’ll act as your own publisher—hiring editors, cover designers, and marketing professionals to produce and promote your book.
Many authors choose self-publishing because it offers complete creative control, faster turnaround times, and higher royalty rates (Amazon KDP, for example, pays up to 70% royalties, compared to traditional publishing’s 10–15%).
That said, self-publishing requires significant marketing, distribution, and production effort. If you’re willing to take on those responsibilities, an agent is unnecessary.
You Write Poetry or Short Stories
Most poetry collections and short story anthologies are published by small presses and literary magazines—many of which accept direct submissions from writers. In this case, an agent isn’t required.
Some small presses even hold annual book contests where the winning manuscript gets published. These opportunities allow poets and short fiction writers to publish traditionally without an agent.
You’re Publishing with a Small or Niche Press
Many independent publishers and university presses accept submissions directly from authors. If your book fits into a specific niche—such as academic books, regional fiction, or specialized nonfiction—you can work directly with a publisher without needing an agent.
Small presses often have more flexible contracts and may offer better royalties than larger publishers. The trade-off? They typically have smaller marketing budgets, so authors must take on more promotional work.
How to Get a Literary Agent (If You Decide You Need One)
If you’ve read up to this point and think your goals as a writer might warrant an agent, here’s how to start the process.
Finish and Polish Your Manuscript – If you’re writing fiction or memoir, your book must be complete and revised before you query. For nonfiction, you’ll need a well-crafted book proposal.
Research Literary Agents – Find agents who represent books in your genre. Check out resources like QueryTracker, Duotrope, Manuscript Wish List, and agency websites.
Write a Killer Query Letter – Your query letter should hook the agent, introduce your book, and highlight your credentials. Keep it concise and compelling!
Be Ready for the Long Haul – Querying takes time. Rejections are part of the process, but persistence is key. Keep refining and submitting.
Not Sure Which Publishing Path to Take? Let’s Talk.
Deciding whether to query agents or take another publishing route can be overwhelming—but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Schedule a complimentary Virtual Meetup to explore your options and choose the best path for your project.
On this free 30-minute Zoom meeting, I’ll answer your questions, help you understand what your project needs right now, and discuss how Inkling Creative Strategies can help.
Click here to learn more and grab an appointment!
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