Updated May 2023
Have you ever wondered how literary agents make money? Or how much commission a literary agent makes on the sale of a book or novel? The answer is: It varies! Here’s a brief overview of standard literary agent commissions and percentages of sales.
Most Literary Agents Work On Commission
Industry standard practice is that literary agents are paid for their work through the commission they make when they sell your book and not by directly charging the author(s) they represent. As a client, you may be required to pay for the cost of making phone calls and other office expenses. But, otherwise, a literary agent only makes money through commission on book sales to publishers.
If you receive interest from a literary agent who charges a fee to represent your writing or for anything other than the nominal costs mentioned above, be very suspicious.
Literary Agent Standard Commission On Book Sales To Domestic Publishers
Generally speaking, literary agents take 15% of your total income from the first sale of your book before taxes. For example, if you receive a $10,000 advance on the first sale of the book to a major publisher, your literary agent will take a commission of $1,500. If you make any royalties beyond your advance, your agent will receive 15% of those royalties.
Some literary agents have been known to contract higher or lower commissions, but 15% is currently the standard rate.
Literary Agent Commission On Foreign Subsidiary Rights And Translations
Literary agents tend to receive a 20% commission on foreign rights sales or translations. What this 20% commission actually means to you depends on your book contract and your literary agency contract.
Scenario number one: Let’s say your publisher has retained the right to license translations on your behalf to other publishers around the world. And, now, let’s say a publisher in France has decided to pay your American publisher for the right to create and sell a French translation. You receive half of that payment; the other half goes to your publisher.
But wait! What does your agent get out of it? Your literary agent will most likely take a 20% commission on the amount you receive from your publisher. So while you were paid half of the total contracted payment, your agent will receive 20% of your half.
Scenario number two: If your literary agent has retained your translation rights (so that your agent can find publishers around the world, instead of allowing the publisher to do it), your agent will still take 20% of the amount you are paid. Because many literary agencies have subsidiary partners in other countries to help them sell translation rights, it is likely that your literary agent will split the commission: Your literary agent keeps 10% and the foreign rights subsidiary agent keeps the other 10%.
Literary Agent Commission On Film Rights, Calendar Rights, And Audio Rights
Most literary agents will continue to take a 15% commission on whatever payment you receive.
Self-Publishing Literary Agent Commission
Some literary agents are beginning to help their clients self-publish books—for a fee. In exchange for the literary agency taking on the work of self-publishing a book on behalf of the client, the literary agency may take a commission of 15% on all sales. However, this is new territory at the time of this writing, so there are no industry standards in place.
If Your Literary Agent Charges A Commission That Is Not Standard
If you are considering signing up with a literary agent who is taking a commission outside of the industry standard, we recommend that you proceed with great caution. Learn more: How To Spot A Bad Literary Agent.
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QUESTION: Do you feel that 15% is a fair commission for literary agent?
I find 15% all right. I worked as an entertainer for over 20 years. The egents charged 10 to 15%. Only one of them charged 25% but procured highly paid opportunities.
As for estate agents, the charge is 7.5 to 15%.
So, in all I find the rate ok.
There is nothing wrong in that 15%, I believe, a fair proportion
But is it possible to get a literary agent now.
Respect
I find 15% to be acceptable. My story surrounds “Greed & Cheating” by relatives that were to manage an estate.
I am a new author and I am in search of an agent
Dear Kimberly,
You might find our Free Publishing Tool Kit helpful. Here’s a link to the articles about finding an agent: https://writersrelief.com/get-a-literary-agent-book-novel/. Let us know if we can help! Learn more about what we do here: https://writersrelief.com/help-for-writers-submitting-for-publication/.
Good luck!
Yes, a 15% commission is very reasonable. I would be willing to pay twice that.
I am an agent residing in Holland and have room for new clients.
I’d be willing to go much higher than 15% on my first book. As long as we return to 15% for the four others I have self-published and any others I write.
Finding an agent has proven to be very difficult indeed.
This is very good. DO literary agents get a % of entertainment subsidiary rights that are negotiated by an entertainment book agent–or do they split percentages?
I am a new writer and I need an agent. Also on average how much money does an agent make per year?
I now have an agent after years of self-publishing. Yes, I did well on my own. Sales are steady, I do book signings and LOVE it. I did go with an agent since I needed that PUSH to get more PR. Readers love the books. I needed to go a step further. Her editor is amazing. Much better than the editor I paid thousands too only to find out I need re-writes. 15% is very fair if you ask me. I want to write. Not spend my time marketing and social media 24/7.
Am looking for a film agent who can effectively represent black content, specifically Tyler Perry and/or Motown.
I have self published a four-book series of a children’s chapter books, The Adventures of Thelma Thistle and Her Friends. Joyceandthelma.com. Publishing was easy. Marketing is a bear. What would a literary agent do for me? Would an agent even bother with my books?
Hi Joyce,
This article should help answer your questions. It discusses what literary agents do (and don’t do) for writers: https://writersrelief.com/blog/2010/03/what-literary-agents-do-and-dont-do-for-writers/
Just sent a few chapters of third book to an agent. I self-published the last two, but I find I am too busy for the hard, time-consuming, work of publicity. Just keeping fingers crossed now.
15% Sounds very reasonable.
I think getting a Literary Agent would work wonders for me and my plans. I can write the manuscript, shoot it out, then get right to work on the next one, and also keep up on my social media.
But I wouldn’t have to worry about constantly needing to look to Marketing 24/7 and cut into my writing time.
I am in the market for a Literary Agent, me thinks.
My publisher deducts 5% of the gross royalty as tax deduction, paying the net amount to my agent. The agent takes 15% of the gross amount, and pays me the net. I think this is wrong. The agent commission should be calculated based on the net royalties after the tax deduction made by the publisher.
I appreciate any comments!
I can easily accept 15% provided the service warrants it. I would want an agent who finds the best publishers possible and the highest payment possible. I like the idea of getting on with my next work without the hasstle of selling the book to a publisher and marketing it.
I’m looking at a publishing company that in all charges $3450 over 10 months to make my book, get the ISBN,Copyright, print and E-book it. Also, they create press release, handle sales etc for me. When sales begin,they do not retain any commission at all until I recoup the full amount back in commission. After that, their commission only .50 per unit on the children’s book. Does this sound normal? I retain all rights. They have a A rating with business bureau and over 150+ positive reviews,2 neg
We are not lawyers, so we cannot give legal advice. Please contact a lawyer that has experience with the publishing industry for your question.
I earnestly need a literary agent for my next book (short stories collection). I don’t indulge in self-praise, but I can assure my stories are intense, original and unpretentious. I would welcome a genuine literary agent to go through a few of my stories to assess their worth.
Quick question: do literary agents get any commission if the author is awarded with a literary prize? I ask it for both cases: when it’s an independent distinction, and when it’s an award by a Publisher (and the prize implies printing an edition of the work).
Thank you!
Antoine
Hi Antoine,
We are not a literary agency, so we cannot answer that question.
Can anyone recommend a good and well connected agent here in the UK?
Thank you so much for this. My agency is in the UK, my agent has been working with her foreign rights team, and we got a U.S. publisher. I’ve been worried that only the foreign rights dept. and NOT the agent we’re making commission. It’s a relief to know that normally they will split it. Really appreciate this. They’ve done such a great job and I wanted to make sure that everyone was getting their dues.
I sent a query to an agent who responded saying he would not be my agent but my literary manager and would represent me. We spent over an hour on a video conference and he gave helpful hints. He is fairly well known in the industry. However, the contract he sent me states that in addition to the 15 percent commission, I will pay $5000 up front and $5000 later. Is this legit? From what I’ve read, not so much.
Hi Michael,
You may find these other articles about red flags to look out for in literary agents helpful: https://writersrelief.com/2014/12/23/avoid-literary-agency-contract-dangers/ and https://writersrelief.com/2015/10/08/literary-agent-practices-worth-questioning/
I have been looking for a book agent going on 2 years now.
I was wondering if anyone had any tips/advice?
I have a complete book already. Currently working on another one.
You may find these articles of interest: https://writersrelief.com/get-a-literary-agent-book-novel/