How To Become A Literary Agent | Marie Claire

1. Read widely The job is about finding and championing new writers, so it's important to see what else is in the market, what's working and what's not working, and to develop and hone your taste. I meet a lot of people who say they want to be agents, but only read the classics. I think the best agents are widely read and aware of up and coming writers as well as established talents.

2. Work hard Agenting is a job where you get out as much as you put in. When I was interning (which led to my first job) and assisting (which led to my promotion) I worked all hours and put as much effort into menial tasks as more glamorous ones. I have the same ethos now I'm an agent.