Written by Byrd Leavell

Publishing is the activity of making any type of information, literature, music, software, etc. available to the public for sale or for free.  Traditionally, publishing has referred to the distribution of printed works, but in the 21st century, eBooks, podcasts, etc. are now also a part of the term. As a Literary Agent, I help my clients shape and edit their manuscripts ensuring we can give their work every shot at success.

I became interested in becoming a book agent when I learned more about what literary agents do.  I knew I needed to be one.  The prospect of working with writers to help shape the right book, the editorial work on the manuscript, and then ensuring that the publisher does everything they can to give it every shot at success, it all spoke to me. And to be clear it is about more than just the one book. It’s about building a career together with clients who become friends. It is best the job doesn’t feel like a job. It feels like something you get to do every day.

Book publishing is an extremely competitive marketplace. A lot has to go right for a book to break from the pack. One of the great things about publishing is that we always prove the Chicken Littles wrong. Book sales have remained resilient through every sea change the industry has faced because of the simple fact that reading a book is still one of the most enjoyable, comforting things you can do. And buying, reading, and listening to books has only gotten easier to do with technology.

Publishing offers many wonderful creators a chance to take subjects they're passionate about and go deep on them, to put pen to paper and write about them in ways that the podcast format doesn't allow. And on the other side of that process they will have a book that they can hold in their hands, put on their shelves, show their grandkids, or now stack their laptop on for a better angle on Zooms.