Literary Agent Jobs Key Terms

Learn more about the types of literary agent jobs available

By Terri Deno

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.

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