1

Literary Agency Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Literary Agency information

See salary details

$23K

$52.6K

$73.5K

How much do literary agency jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for literary agency in the United States is $52,647.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $63,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a literary agency, and why are they important?

To thrive in a literary agency, you need strong editorial judgment, market awareness, and negotiation skills, often supported by a degree in English, communications, or publishing. Familiarity with manuscript tracking software, publishing contracts, and digital submission platforms is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to network effectively help individuals stand out in this field. These skills are crucial for discovering promising authors, securing advantageous publishing deals, and building long-term client relationships in a competitive industry.

What is the difference between Literary Agency vs Literary Agent?

AspectLiterary AgencyLiterary Agent
CredentialsTypically no specific credentials required; agency may have multiple agentsOften requires industry experience, knowledge of publishing, and sometimes certifications
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, team-based, handling multiple agents and clientsIndividual or small team, focused on representing authors and negotiating deals
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by publishing houses and authors to find representationUsed by authors to find representation and by publishers to acquire rights
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding the role of the agency as a wholeUnderstanding the role of the individual agent within the agency

The main difference is that a literary agency is an organization that employs multiple literary agents, while a literary agent is an individual professional who represents authors and negotiates publishing deals. The agency provides the infrastructure and resources, whereas the agent focuses on client representation and deal-making.

What is a literary agency?

A literary agency is a business that represents writers and their written works to publishers and film producers. Literary agents help authors sell their manuscripts, negotiate publishing contracts, and manage the business aspects of an author's career. They often provide guidance on editing, marketing, and developing an author's brand. By leveraging their industry connections and expertise, literary agents increase an author's chances of getting published and securing favorable deals.

What are some common challenges faced when working at a literary agency, and how can new employees effectively navigate them?

Working at a literary agency often involves managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, as you juggle communications between authors, publishers, and internal teams. New employees may find the fast-paced environment and the need to quickly learn industry standards challenging. Building strong organizational skills and being proactive in seeking guidance from experienced colleagues can help ease the transition. Additionally, staying informed about market trends and being adaptable will allow you to better support clients and contribute to the agency’s success.
More about Literary Agency jobs
What cities are hiring for Literary Agency jobs? Cities with the most Literary Agency job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Literary Agency jobs? The most popular types of Literary Agency jobs are:
What states have the most Literary Agency jobs? States with the most job openings for Literary Agency jobs include:
Infographic showing various Literary Agency job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,647 per year, or $25.3 per hour.
Agency Trainee

$21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
About Us
Independent Artist Group (IAG) was born upon the merger of Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) and Artist Group International (IAG) in the summer of 2023. IAG combines the breadth of APA's renowned full-service representation capabilities as a legacy Talent and Literary agency in the entertainment industry, with AGI's reputation as the premiere independent music touring agency with a roster of superstar stadium and arena acts as well as cutting-edged emerging artists in the music and comedy worlds. The result is a powerful new voice in artist representation with the entrepreneurial passion to create ground-breaking partnerships for our clients across multiple platforms and business lines, combined with the deal making acumen and deep relationships that come from their combined 95 year legacies in the agency business.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking entry-level candidates to join our Agency Training Program in our New York office. The Program is intended for passionate, hardworking individuals who aspire to become Agents in the Entertainment Industry. Agency Trainees are the first to be considered for Assistant roles as they come available, as we prefer to train and promote from within.
The Program offers the unique opportunity for Trainees to work closely with Agents and Assistants, as well as exposure to APA's various divisions: Talent, Scripted Literary (TV/Feature), Physical Production, Music/Concerts, Alternative and Factual Programming (Unscripted TV), etc.
Duties
Trainees will support Agents and Assistants in all departments in a variety of administrative functions including:
  • Mailroom duties
  • Coverage of the reception desk- answering phones, dispatching calls, receiving guests and packages, etc.
  • Assistant desk coverage - phones, calendar, expenses, arranging zoom meetings, etc.
  • Special projects as needed

Skills And Qualifications
  • Can do attitude with a strong work ethic; reliable and dependable
  • Strong attention to detail; ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • High comfort level with technology (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Impeccable follow-through: the ability to initiate projects, develop timelines, and meet deadlines
  • Strong organizational skills
  • High energy and enthusiastic
  • Ability to comfortably interact with high profile clients
  • Must be able to maintain a high level of discretion

Education And Experience
  • Bachelors degree from an accredited University
  • Prior internship or work experience; Entertainment-related internships a plus

Perks and Benefits
In addition to the base compensation for this role, IAG proudly offers many additional benefits to employees, including (but not limited to):
  • Comprehensive company sponsored health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, vision, fertility and family planning services, chiropractic and acupuncture care, and life and AD&D coverage
  • 401(k) plan with company sponsored quarterly financial planning meetings
  • Robust paid time off, including sick leave, discretionary time off, 12 paid company holidays and a two-week paid holiday at the end of the year
  • Employee engagement: lunch & learns, company-wide day of service, employee resource groups (e.g. Women's Empowerment), intramural sports leagues, themed holiday activities (e.g. office-wide trick-or-treating, annual company holiday party, baking competition)

IAG provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Salary Description
$21/ hour