Do agents take young authors seriously?

S

Sera

New member
Okay, so let's just say that... hypothetically, that I were in the situation where I was fifteen-or-so years old and finished writing a book. And let's also assume that this book had been edited and re-edited several times, along with positive reviews from both peers and experienced teachers. If I sent a literary agent the manuscript along with a query letter saying that I was only fifteen/sixteen, would he/she honestly take me seriously? Would they even bother opening the envelope? Or would I be better off emailing a publisher directly?
 
Neither.

First you'd have to determine if a parent will sign in your behalf in an agent's contract and in a publishing contract. If they won't, there's no point in proceeding, since you cannot enter into a contract.

Second, you would not mention your age to a prospective agent. They don't really care about anything but marketable work.

Third, you would send only a query letter, not the manuscript, unless an agent's submission guidelines ask for it.

Fourth, you are also free to query publishers on your own, except for the ones who do not accept unagented manuscripts. Again, no need to mention your age.

Basically, if you can write a book likely to sell, your age won't be a factor until it's time to market that book, when it may be used for promotional purposes.
 
Neither.

First you'd have to determine if a parent will sign in your behalf in an agent's contract and in a publishing contract. If they won't, there's no point in proceeding, since you cannot enter into a contract.

Second, you would not mention your age to a prospective agent. They don't really care about anything but marketable work.

Third, you would send only a query letter, not the manuscript, unless an agent's submission guidelines ask for it.

Fourth, you are also free to query publishers on your own, except for the ones who do not accept unagented manuscripts. Again, no need to mention your age.

Basically, if you can write a book likely to sell, your age won't be a factor until it's time to market that book, when it may be used for promotional purposes.
 
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