Do you need a literary agent to publish your middle grade or young adult book in Australia?
The short answer is probably not. But it depends. It could help!
The Australian publishing landscape is very different to the US and UK. Overseas it is common to find an agent as your first step towards publication. In Australia, there are simply not enough agents to go around. About 60% of books in Australia are published without an agent.
What do literary agents do?
Firstly, agents work on commission, so they are taking a gamble on your book becoming commercially successful. It seems like 15% is a common commission in Australia.
A good literary agent’s value is in their relationships in the industry. They would take your manuscript knowing which publishing house, and maybe which editor within it, to pitch to.
Publishing houses will look at your work more quickly if it comes through an agent, because they know it’s been vetted from the slush pile already and the agent has seen something in it. There are some publishers who are closed to unsolicited submissions, but will look at a manuscript coming through an agent.
Agents advocate for your interests throughout the process, negotiate contracts (remember, this is to their benefit to get you a better deal) and also manage rights, including international and film/TV rights.
Can you submit directly to Australian publishers?
Unlike overseas, several Australian children’s publishers still accept unsolicited manuscripts during designated submission periods or through open submissions.
That means you can often submit your manuscript yourself without having a literary agent representing you.
When should you look for an agent?
You might consider querying agents if:
you’re hoping for an international publishing deal
your manuscript has strong commercial appeal
you want someone to help guide your publishing career.
Agents have to be highly selective. They receive hundreds – sometimes thousands – of submissions each year.
To get picked up, the manuscript needs to be exceptional, marketable and the right fit for that particular agent’s list.
How to approach an agent
Make sure you do your research: look at each agent’s client list, what sort of manuscripts they are looking for, and their submission guidelines.
Approach an agent like you only have one shot. Make sure your manuscript and supporting documents are in their best possible shape.
List of Australian agents (not comprehensive – but these at some time have been open to kidlit)
Margaret Connolly & Associates
Can you query overseas agents?
If your manuscript isn’t too localised – absolutely yes. There are many more fish in the UK and US publishing pools. Just check you don’t have to be a resident of their home country for them to represent you. There are tools like Query Tracker to help you find and manage your submissions to multiple agents at once.
My advice
If you have time up your sleeve, it doesn’t hurt to apply to agents first. It doesn’t cost you anything (except waiting time.) If no one takes you up, you can still apply to publishers as an unsolicited manuscript.
Even better, check out this list of events where you can pitch directly to agents and/or publishers. If they like it – you have an in!
However you choose to submit, you should focus on what you can control – the quality of your manuscript.
Thinking about submitting your manuscript?
Before you hit send, consider having your middle grade or YA novel professionally assessed. Fresh editorial feedback can help you strengthen your story and submit with confidence.