Finding a publisher for a book typically takes an agency several weeks to several months. But while some manuscripts would take years to sell, others might be snapped up right away. In most cases, the agency sends the manuscript to a small number of publishers they think will be interested in the book. The agent may edit the text or attempt a different group of publishers if none of the publishers show any interest.
There are a few things you should be aware of if character agents are something you’re interested in. Literary agents who specialize in representing authors of young adult and children’s novels are known as character agents. They put a lot of effort into creating engaging, approachable characters for young readers. You must have a thorough knowledge of the young adult and juvenile fiction sectors and a great eye for spotting potential breakout characters if you want to succeed as a character agent.
When a character lacks agency, it indicates they are powerless to decide for themselves what to do next in the narrative. Since readers often expect the protagonist to play a significant role in the plot, this could be an issue if the character is the protagonist. Readers may find it challenging to become emotionally invested in characters that lack agency because they are frequently perceived as uninteresting and passive.
Agency and empowerment differ in a modest but significant way. Empowerment is the process of gaining agency and control over one’s life, whereas agency is the capacity to decide what to do and how to do it. In order to accomplish one’s objectives, empowerment frequently entails overcoming difficulties and barriers. Giving characters in fiction agency and letting them participate actively in the plot are common methods of empowering them.
A persona who makes their own decisions and acts to accomplish their objectives is an example of agency. Numerous well-known books, like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and The Fault in Our Stars, demonstrate this. The primary character in each of these books has agency and actively participates in the story, which makes them more interesting and accessible to readers.
In conclusion, there are numerous variables that can affect how long it takes an agent to sell a book. A thorough knowledge of the young adult and juvenile fiction sectors as well as an acute eye for spotting potential breakout characters are prerequisites for becoming a character agent. Without agency, characters might be perceived as being inert and uninteresting, while empowering characters frequently entails giving them this agency and enabling them to participate actively in the narrative. A persona who makes their own decisions and acts to accomplish their objectives is an example of agency.