If you are dealing with a literary agent first time, you must ask him seven very pertinent questions so as not to feel betrayed in future. Why do you like my novel? It is important to know what are people’s expectations from you, so that you can prepare well for your next novel. Under what circumstances my contract may be terminated? As the contract with the agent is not binding permanently, there may be some creative difference between the author and the agent. Publishing is a business and the author is a part of it. Though the agent has some moral obligation towards the author, it is not personal and both parties are free to end the agreement. What is your long-term plan and how will you visualise yourself in this agency? It is a common practice among the agents to shift between different publishing houses. In that eventuality, the author has to ask the agent whether a substitute agent will do the follow up. If your agent hesitates before answering, you must reconsider the proposition. What is your definition of success and failure of authors and agents? There are two aspects of publishing: sales and quality. There are some agents who stay loyal to the authors if the book has not sold well, but is qualitatively good. Some others are bound to the sale lines. In fact, the author must think about this thoroughly before signing the agreement. How Far will you go for preserving the Rights? Whenever an author creates a novel, it becomes under his Intellectual Property rights. However, during contract, the publishers try to control every right for that novel, like the movie right, television right, even right to publish audio books. Thus, the agent must be very careful to preserve the IP rights of the author. What will be the criteria for choosing a publisher in case of an auction? If a book has an auction with more than one buyer for the rights it is not always preferable to choose those who will offer more advance. Instead, we should consider, which house offers better marketing strategy and more rights to the author. What is the best place for this novel? The agent may consider about several houses where the novel may fit in. If he shares it with the author, he also can do his own research.
