The Evolving Role of Literary Agents
Today I’m a guest interviewee over at Jungle Red Writers, on the evolving role of agents. The incredible Hallie Ephron interviews me. Here’s a snippet: Hallie: Is the agent’s traditional…
Today I'm a guest interviewee over at Jungle Red Writers, on the evolving role of agents. The incredible Hallie Ephron interviews me. Here's a snippet:
Hallie: Is the agent’s traditional role as link between author and publisher going the way of the dodo?
Jane: I'd rather say that the agent's limited role as link between author and publisher is going the way of the dodo. Most authors will always need someone to assist (and trust) in contractual negotiations, licensing deals, and other facets of the business side of authorship.
The interview is part a series of posts at Jungle Red featuring contributors to the new edition of The Complete Novel Writing Handbook—in which I have several articles! Check it out.

Jane Friedman is a full-time entrepreneur (since 2014) and has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. She is the co-founder of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and is the former publisher of Writer’s Digest. In addition to being a columnist with Publishers Weekly and a professor with The Great Courses, Jane maintains an award-winning blog for writers at JaneFriedman.com. Jane’s newest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press, 2018).