Literary Agent
Represents writers — pitches unpublished work to editors and negotiates book deals.
Overview
A Literary Agent represents a writer and tries to promote his/her work to different publishing houses in order to get the latter published. A Literary Agent represents writers by pitching unpublished work to editors, negotiating book deals and liaising between authors and publishers. He/she makes sure that both parties arrive at an amicable agreement.
Where they work
- Literary agencies, although some experienced Literary Agents choose to work freelance or establish their own agencies
Work environment
Your working hours will often be uncertain, as besides regular office hours, you will often meet clients and editors on weekends and evenings to build relationships. The majority of your time, however, will be spent in the office. Moreover, you may often need to read submissions outside of working hours.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are excellent in verbal and written communication
- You are focussed on your work and pay attention to details
- You are able to build and maintain a strong network of contacts
- You are aware of trends in book market and understand what makes a good
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any subject combination.
- 2Pursue Bachelor's degree in English/Journalism/Mass Communication or any other similar discipline
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree in English/Journalism/Mass Communication and pursue a Diploma in Marketing.
Forms, exams and applications
For admissions into the Bachelor's program, institutions may have their own entrance exam. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) holds the biggest entrance exam all over India. Diploma entrance is on merit basis. Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
These courses are offered by the Department of Journalism/Mass Communication. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
- Farook College, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- NSHM School of Media and Design, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Institute of Creative Excellence, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Garden City University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- HL Centre for Professional Education, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- All India Institute of Management Studies (AIIMAS), Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Literary Agent Assistants → Literary Agents
- 2Writer and Editor → Technical Writer → Project Manager → Partner
Expected income
₹50,000 – ₹1,10,000 per month and more
The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Publisher
Liaises with media and publishing houses to get an author's work published, and may edit it too.
Commissioning Editor
Advises a publishing house on which books to publish and manages authors under contract.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Languages.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Preeti Gill — An independent editor and literary agent. As a commissioning editor and rights manager, she has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry. In her new role as literary agent she represents more than thirty well-known, critically acclaimed writers of fiction and creative non-fiction. Her books include an edited volume of essays, The Peripheral Centre: Voices from India's Northeast; Bearing Witness and many more.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 119 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/literary-agent/india
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The fourth personality trait is cut off mid-sentence on the printed card ("...understand what makes a good"); it is reproduced as printed rather than completed.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.