Q: What does Book Cents Literary Agency represent?
A: Fiction and Specific Non-Fiction. Please see "What We Represent" for an up-to-date list of what we are currently looking for.
For Fiction - Single Title length only (80-110k). Please see "Submission Guidelines."
Q: Do you charge any kind of reading or processing fees?
A: Absolutely NOT! Reputable agents do not charge these kinds of fees. If an agent tells you they do... BEWARE!!! We strictly adhere to AAR guidelines.
Q: What kind of commission does your agency charge?
A: Our commission is the standard 15% commission on domestic sales and 20% commission on foreign and subsidiary sales.
Q: What is the usual response time on queries?
A: We understand the importance of a timely response. After we receive your query, we will make every effort to respond within a four week time frame - as our schedule and the volume of submissions allow.
* UPDATE - as of January 1, 2010 - regarding our new policy for response times on QUERIES - Due to the unusually high volume of queries we are getting daily, we can now only respond to the queries we are interested in. If you don't hear from us within a four week time period, please assume your story is not a good fit for us.
Q: What is the usual response time on partial or full manuscripts?
A: Again, we understand the importance of a timely response, so we make every effort to respond within a four week time frame -as our schedule and the volume of submissions allow. If we request a partial or a full manuscript, we take the time to give it the careful consideration it deserves.
Q: What does your agency look for in a submission?
A: Strong writing. We want to see stories with a clear plot/setting and unforgettable characters. In short...we are looking for stories we just can't put down!
Q: What happens if I submit a full manuscript and it's rejected?
A: The worst part of our job is when we have to turn down someone's work. Work, a writer has put their heart and soul into. When we request a full manuscript from a writer, we are careful to give it our undivided time and careful consideration. If for some reason we pass on a full manuscript, we try to give the writer our reason(s) for passing on their work.
The most important advice we as agents can give a writer is...
Writing is a process - Writing is re-writing
Believe in yourself and your work
Maintain a sense of humor
Never give up
And most important... Keep writing!
Q: Do you attend any writer's conferences?
A: Yes! Please see "Scheduled Events." We love attending conferences and meeting new and seasoned writers from all over the world! Please don't be shy - If we are ever at a conference you are attending, please take the time and introduce yourself. And no, this doesn't mean it's okay to accost us in the ladies bathroom (we've all heard the horror stories) - use proper manners and good judgement!
Q: Are you affiliated with any writing organizations?
A: Yes. Please see the "About Us" section for each agent's professional affiliations.
Frequently Asked Questions