In traditional publishing, writers are always advised not to submit without an agent. If you’re pitching to one of the big five, chances are they won’t accept an unagented submission. On top of that, you might be hurting your chances of getting accepted down the line if a publisher is unwilling to revisit something they’ve already rejected, even if the project recently gained representation.

Even so, if they do accept your direct submission and you’re going in without representation, there’s the chance that without someone negotiating on your behalf, you won’t get the best deal that your writing deserves.

… with that being said, there is still such a thing as the unagented submission.

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The Time & Place

You might think that with all the risks and downfalls of submitting without an agent that no one would do it, but there are circumstances where it works – and where it even makes sense – to submit without an agent.

In the same way that your query letter to prospective agents should include any personal connection if you’ve made one, sometimes writers end up connecting with editors directly. This can happen if you know the right people (this can be professors, published authors that you know personally, access that you might gain through jobs or internships), or even if you sit down with an editor at a writing conference. If an editor expresses interest in your work, and especially if they request a look, then it’s safe to submit without an agent.  

The other, more common space, for unagented submissions is when you’re pursuing publication through a small or indie press. Smaller presses tend to be better for projects that don’t have a mainstream/mass appeal because they can target the niche audiences interested in the subjects of those works. If the press doesn’t require you to have an agent, if it’s even common for them to work directly with writers, then it’s safe to consider direct unagented submissions.

From Unagented To Agented

So, let’s say you made a connection and have an editor interested in your work. You have a choice here, either continue without representation, or you seek representation before taking too many further steps.

If you decide to remain unagented, then you’ll want to do some research. If you aren’t working with one of the big 5, then make sure the publisher is in fact legitimate and that you’re not getting scammed. Additionally, regardless of if you’re going through a small press or the big five, you’ll still want to have someone with an experienced eye look over your contract and make sure you’re getting a fair deal. And when I say experienced eye, I mean someone who understands the publishing industry specifically. 

On the other hand, you can use an editor’s interest in your work to find an agent. You’ve already done part of the work for them, making the connection with the publisher in the first place. Chances are they’ll be able to get you a better deal as well, considering they make more money when you make more money. Just be up front with your editor, let them know that you intend to find representation so they know what to expect.

Some editors prefer working with agents instead of directly with writers, but some know that the agent will negotiate a better deal and the publisher will most likely end up paying out more. If you’re transparent, you maintain an honest relationship with your editor and publisher and have a better chance at keeping the publishing process positive as opposed to risking offense.

Is the Unagented Submission a Good fit for You?

As someone who has experience both with unagented work and represented work, I personally stand by the general advice to have an agent. Unless you are an agent, an editor, a publishing contract specialist, or someone else already in the industry who’s interested in publication, chances are you don’t know what you need to know to broker a fair deal for your work. On top of that, if you are interested in mainstream publishing, then having an agent is the key to getting big publishers to notice you. And in terms of the reach and distribution of your work, having an agent make that connection will be the better choice in the long run.

That being said, you know your writing better than anyone. Maybe mainstream isn’t the best fit for you. Maybe you’ve crafted a narrative meant for a niche audience, and finding the right indie publisher who understands your particular audience will be the key to getting it into the hands of the people that will be most interested and most impacted by your writing.

There is a time and place for unagented submissions, you just have to make sure you pick the path that will best serve you as a writer and do your project justice.

As a published author and editor, I’d love to talk to you about what’s right for you and your project! Book a consultation with me here.