Professional Resume Template for
Literary Agent
Clarissa M. Sterling
New York, NY
(646) 555-0143
clarissa.sterling@email.com
linkedin.com/in/clarissa-sterling-literary | clarissasterling.com
Professional Summary
Editorial-driven Literary Agent with a 6-year history of representing a diverse client list of 38 fiction and non-fiction authors, securing over $4.2M in publisher advances. Skilled in book proposal development, contract negotiation, and foreign rights sub-licensing. Successfully negotiated 14 lead titles with Big Five publishers, increasing average client royalties by 18% through strategic print and digital rights splits. Proficient in QueryTracker, Publisher's Marketplace, DocuSign, and Adobe Acrobat Pro, ensuring efficient tracking, market analysis, and deal execution.
Work Experience
Literary Agent — Hudson Literary Agency
New York, NY | January 2023 – Present
- Represented a roster of 22 active authors in commercial fiction and narrative non-fiction, securing 11 book deals with major publishers that generated $2.4M in total advances.
- Negotiated domestic translation and audio sub-rights for 8 frontlist titles, capturing an additional $340,000 in subsidiary rights revenue and improving client earnings by 24%.
- Evaluated over 1,500 query letters and sample chapters annually, identifying and signing 6 debut authors whose subsequent releases earned spot listings on national bestseller indices.
- Managed editorial development for 18 manuscript submissions, collaborating with authors on structural revisions to reduce publisher acquisition review times by 30% on average.
Associate Literary Agent — Beacon Creative Artists
Brooklyn, NY | September 2020 – December 2022
- Managed contract review and royalty auditing for 45 agency clients, identifying $62,000 in unpaid foreign royalties and recovering 100% of outstanding balances within 90 days.
- Prepared pitch materials and book proposals for 15 market submissions, resulting in 7 successful auctions and raising average debut advances by 35% compared to agency averages.
- Coordinated co-agent networks for international book fairs (London and Frankfurt), finalizing 14 foreign rights deals that expanded client global market reach by 40%.
- Maintained the agency database of 200+ editor profiles, tracking specific acquisition preferences to increase submission-to-request conversion rates by 28% over two years.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing
New York University · New York, NY · 2020
Skills
Contract negotiation, Publishing market analysis, Developmental editing, Book proposal drafting, Foreign rights licensing, Subsidiary rights management, Client representation, Query letter evaluation, Publisher relations, Royalty auditing, QueryTracker, Publishers Marketplace, DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Pro
Projects
Bestselling Memoir Launch
Role: Lead Literary Agent
Tools: Publishers Marketplace, QueryTracker, DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Pro
Secured a 3-publisher auction for a debut memoir, finalizing a 2-book contract at $650,000 and negotiating a 15% domestic royalty rate.
International Rights Campaign
Role: Literary Agent
Tools: Adobe Acrobat Pro, Excel, London Book Fair Network
Spearheaded translation rights pitches for 6 client titles across 4 European markets, securing $180,000 in advances within 60 days.
Certifications
- AALA Professional Code and Ethics Program (2021)
- NYU Summer Publishing Institute Certificate (2020)
Additional information
- Languages: English (Native), French (Conversational)
- Professional Affiliations: Member, Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) (2021-Present)
- Availability: 3 weeks notice
Job Market Insights
Market data and opportunities for
Literary Agent
Job Market Insights
$55,000
-
$115,000
Avg:
$78,000
Growth Outlook:
The job market for Literary Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes in the United States is projected to grow by 8.7% from 2024 to 2034, which is significantly faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. This growth is driven by the expansion of digital self-publishing, audiobooks, and streaming platform content deals, creating a continuous demand for agents who can navigate complex multi-platform contracts. Over the next decade, an average of 2,200 annual job openings are anticipated to meet this rising demand.
8.7% growth over 10 years
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