Format

          Formatting a manuscript submission is very important. An agent receives several hundred submissions every month. There is no free time to waste on improperly formatted manuscripts.

          One of the most important things to remember when submitting a manuscript to an agent is to follow the submission guidelines.

          The submission guidelines will state the format requirements. If no specific format is stated, follow the standard format. The formatting for a manuscript submission to an agent includes, Times New Roman or Arial font, 12 points font size, and double space lines.

Agent Rates

          All literary agents charge the author a percentage based on the sales of each book copy and movie rights. Some agents charge an initial signing fee, and some agents do not charge a fee.

          Whether an author pays an agent fee or not is a personal choice the author must decide. I have never paid a signing fee to an agent, I have turned down numerous agents that required a signing fee, and I will never pay a signing fee to an agent.

          An author must actively research a literary agent. Review the list of clients and read the books that the agent represents. Read all of the comments posted about the agent by current and former clients.