Literary agent jobs are exciting, dynamic, and deal with both new and experienced authors. They negotiate contracts and deals with publishing houses and they ensure publishing houses don't take advantage of the authors they represent. A great agent can help create multi-million dollar deals, and make their author a household name. To begin literary agency careers, find education, work experience, and training online and in publishing houses.

Create your own jobs as a literary agent by learning how to become a literary agent. Look for:

1. Books and manuals on employment for literary agents.

2. Training and informational videos on literary agency careers.

3. Work in the publishing industry to ready you for book agent jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read books and manuals that describe careers as a literary agent

It doesn't take much to set up your own literary agency, just a nose for good writing and some basic contracts and skills. You can read about what you need in training manuals and books that offer advice on becoming a literary agent. You can also find employment for literary agents in other agencies once you gain some experience on your own.

I recommend: Lulu.com offers a book, the "New Literary Agent's Package" in traditional or downloadable formats that teaches you how to become a literary agent. Houghton Mifflin Company offers a book, "How to Be Your Own Literary Agent: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published" for authors who also want to act as their own literary agents.

View videos and training courses on your literary agent career

If you want the best jobs, literary agent training is easy to find online. There are several avenues you can follow to learn about becoming a literary agent.

I recommend: VideoJug offers a series of videos on Life as an Agent, including how to break into the business. Writers College offers an online course on how to become a literary agent.

Learn more about employment for literary agents by working in the publishing industry

Many agents begin their careers in the publishing industry, where they learn how to edit and choose manuscripts, make contacts and learn what makes a good book. Then, they launch their own literary agent careers, complete with a nice literary agent salary. Find a publishing house that offers training or initiation programs to get your feet wet and prepare for a literary agent career.

I recommend: Random House offers an Associates Program, a year-long program for college graduates who want to learn more about the publishing industry. This could be your first step towards becoming a literary agent. Try working for a smaller publisher, like Abbeville Press, where you can wear more hats and learn more creative ways to become a literary agent.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some literary agents look for junior or new agents to help them when they grow too large to serve all their clients. Look for local agencies with a literary agent job opening to get your foot in the door and learn the business. Alternatively, offer to serve as an intern part-time to learn more and gain the experience to become a full-time literary agent.

Literary agent jobs are perfect for those who love books and like interacting with people. Literary agents act as the go-between for authors and publishing companies, working on behalf of the authors, but helping publishing companies by weeding through the work that's simply unacceptable.

When it comes to getting good jobs, literary agent and author alike must understand what the publishing companies need. If you really want to succeed in your literary agent career, you'll constantly bring good material to the publishing companies. This will give you a good reputation and more work.

If you are interested in literary agency jobs:

1. Network to meet people in publishing. Those who have careers as a literary agent must know many people in the publishing industry so that they can match up authors with a publisher that would be interested in them.

2. Have your resume written by a professional resume writer. The added professional look could give you what it takes to get many offers for literary agent jobs.

3. Stay current with industry news by reading magazines or jointing professional organizations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take an internship to start your literary agent career

If you want to get your career off to a great start, you need experience and there's no better way to get that experience than through an internship. While it may not come with a literary agent salary, the experience you will gain is worth a fortune.

I recommend: Search for internships at a website like InternshipPrograms.com. You also may want to contact a literary agency directly to see if they have an internship program. The Charlotte Gusay Literary Agency does.

Search for a book agent job

It's definitely convenient to start your search for a literary agent job online. Most websites allow you to upload your resume so that you can easily send it to potential employers.

I recommend: Check out the job boards at The Vault. This site also contains tips for getting jobs in any industry, including the literary world. You can also find positions listed at MySpace Jobs.

Use an executive search firm to find literary agent jobs

There can be a lot of competition for jobs in a literary agency, so it's a good idea to know you have someone working on your side. An executive recruiter will work hard to put you in the company that's right for you.

I recommend: Contact PJ Lynch Associates to get started with your job hunt. Semper International is another good choice.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are still in college, check the college career center to see if they have information on book agent jobs. In many cases, they will be able to introduce you with a company that is specifically looking to hire new college graduates for an entry level literary agent job opening.

A literary agent is the link between new writers and established publishing houses. Literary agents seek out writers from unsolicited manuscripts and work with them to make their writing marketable. This can include working with a copy editor, marketer or other positions that are available in a literary agency. There are no educational requirements to become a literary agent, but many agents find success by having a bachelor's degree and some previous experience in the publishing industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Literary agency

A literary agency is a business that looks for writers of one or more particular genres. The job of the literary agency is to match the writers with publishing houses that will publish their work.

I recommend: The Jane Chelius Literary Agency provides an explanation of the services that almost every literary agency provides for writers.

Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR)

The Association of Authors' Representatives is a nonprofit organization for literary agents and dramatic agents. Literary agents must meet specific professional standards to qualify for membership in the organization.

I recommend: Find out more about the Association of Authors' Representatives through its website.

Literary agent internship

A literary agent internship is commonly an unpaid internship that allows a person to become familiar with the publishing industry by working closely with a literary agent.

I recommend: Many agencies and independent agents, such as Elaine English, offer summer internships for college students.

Agent trainee

An agent trainee is an entry level position at many literary agencies. The job of the trainee is to work as an assistant to a literary agent to learn valuable work skills.

I recommend: The About Words agency provides entry level trainee programs for its talent agencies and literary agencies.

Copy editor

A copy editor is a person that works with individual manuscripts of interest. The job of the copy editor is to correct grammar and spelling mistakes. For nonfiction, the copy editor must also take on the task of fact checking.

I recommend: State University provides a detailed job description of a copy editor, including average salary and educational requirements.

Editorial assistant

An editorial assistant works closely with a literary agent to find, evaluate, log and maintain unsolicited manuscripts that come through the office.

I recommend: Random House provides a description of the responsibilities of an editorial assistant including all the tasks involved in handling manuscripts.