Smith Myths: 3 Myths About Working with a Literary Agent

by Marissa Eigenbrood, President of Smith Publicity

Whether you’ve watched our latest webinar or read some of my recent LinkedIn posts, by this point, you’re probably aware of the many positives that come when working with a literary agent. Agents have long been viewed as the ultimate member of your book launch team – the highly desired advocate who will get you the best publisher (and publishing deal) for your current book and potentially future books to come. Yet, in reflecting on the many conversations I’ve had with authors over the years, I’ve still found some common misunderstandings and misconceptions around the agent/author relationship. Let’s dive into three of them below:

Myth 1: They won’t take a chance on a first-time author with a smaller platform.

When we think about those authors with multiple books under their belts and a following into the millions, a literary agent is almost always involved (and you may find them thanked in the acknowledgments section of their latest book too). So, as a first-time author with a growing platform, it may feel like the support of a literary agent is out of reach. While the process of finding the right fit may require a bit more patience as you navigate outreach and agent conversations, I’ve seen time and time again an agent’s excitement around representing an up-and-coming author voice. As an author, it’s important to understand that you’re not likely to get the highest advance or biggest publisher with your first project, but having that agent there to help you understand the intricacies of your publishing contract and to grow with you through this experience will be invaluable in the long term. When approaching agents for the first time, keep in mind the advice Donya Dickerson provided in our July webinar: Come prepared to your agent outreach! Be sure to have your proposal and at least some sample chapters ready to share. If you get the attention of an agent, you want to be ready to maximize that connection and keep the conversation moving forward.

Myth 2: They’re only interested in making a deal.

Building upon Myth #1, I think a common misunderstanding around literary agents is that they’re only interested in making their latest and greatest deal. Relationship-building is critical to the success of an agent from both sides of their work: the author side and the editor side. At the 2024 U.S. Book Show, I sat in on a panel of six editors and literary agents, during which they discussed the importance of the editor/agent relationship and how much goes into nurturing that bond. It was eye-opening for me to see how much time and care goes into understanding each other, what their individual process is, and what can cause that relationship to quickly sour. As an author, you will build a very close relationship with your agent, rooted in the same foundational understandings and respect of one another. However, don’t forget about the interactions your agent is having on the other side on your behalf. If they don’t have an immediate response or feedback to share from an editor who has expressed interest in your book proposal, have patience and “trust the process” a bit in giving your agent grace to work through that communication in the best way they’ve come to know with that editor.

Myth 3: You’re guaranteed a deal when working with an agent.

The last thing you would expect in working with an agent is to walk away with a pile of rejections and no deal from a publisher. But there’s no guarantee this will be the outcome, no matter the track record and relationships your agent brings to the table. This response from the publishing world could be a sign that your book’s core themes may need tweaking or that you’re they’d like to see more content built-out around your expert platform. This doesn’t mean your book will never come to life – take this moment to step back and reflect with your agent on what important changes you can make together. This is another beautiful benefit of having an agent on your side: They should be in this for the long haul with you and will work through these changes until you’re ready to go back out to the publishing world once again.

Conclusion

Whether you’re partnering up with an industry veteran, an emerging talent, or an agent who is just launching their career, having this support on your literary journey is a wonderful added bonus. But do keep in mind that a journey without an agent can work out beautifully as well. An agent may not be right for your first book but could be an important part of your future as an author.

Marissa Eigenbrood (she/her), President of Smith Publicity, leads a dedicated team in empowering a wide array of literary voices, from established publishers to innovative hybrid presses, and from independently published debut authors to influential keynote speakers and industry luminaries. With a commitment to lasting impact, she develops captivating book launches while strategically guiding authors towards cultivating a robust and enduring presence in their respective fields. Marissa’s fervor for championing authors and shaping their expert platforms underscores her mission to redefine success in the ever-evolving landscape of publishing. She actively shares this passion, as well as education around commonly misunderstood and evolving areas in the world of publishing, book promotion, and author branding, through her sought-after content on LinkedIn. A graduate of Marist College with a BA in Public Relations and Minor in Business, Marissa began her career at Smith as a Publicist, leading the strategic direction and execution of campaigns across business, finance, workplace, leadership, and other related genres. This love of matchmaking the right expert with the right media opportunity and nurturing that relationship for long-term impact is at the foundation of all she does today. Marissa lives in New Jersey with her husband and son.