Linda Roghaar Literary Agency LLC

Linda Roghaar Literary Agency LLC is an independent, boutique, full-service literary agency. Based in Amherst, Massachusetts, and established in 1996, the agency represents authors to major publishers, independent publishers, and university presses.

 

The agency specializes in non-fiction and represents authors writing about everything from sports to knitting to theology. Mostly, the agency’s authors’ books are an extension of their life work.

 

Principal agent Linda L. Roghaar has been in the book business her entire professional life. After a brief stint volunteering at a library, she began working in a bookstore,  then managed both regional chain and independent bookstores. For many years she worked in marketing for several publishers and was a publishers’ rep (for dozens of independent publishers) to independent bookstores, bookstore chains, and book wholesalers. Linda opened the Linda Roghaar Literary Agency in 1996.

 

Member, AALA

 

The process of finding an agent can seem overwhelming. We hope to answer some of your questions here.

Q: What do you look for with a prospective writer client?

A: We seek writers with a clear vision for a book and an understanding of the market. Today, publishers are looking for writers with an audience they can prove they know how to reach. This means a ‘platform’ that can be quantified by blog/website numbers, teaching/speaking, and ongoing media presence.

Q: Do I need to have a finished book before I query?

A: Not for non-fiction. Publishers buy most non-fiction from a proposal. It must include sample chapters, but does not need to be a completed manuscript.

Q: How can I improve my chances of getting my book published?

A: Know your market, and how to reach it. Be prepared to prove to a publisher that not only can you write the book, but that you have an audience you can reach.

Q: How to find the right agent?

A: Do your research before you query. Only query agents who handle the kind of work you’re pitching.

Q: How important is the query letter?

A: It’s critical. If agents don’t read the query letter, they’ll never read your proposal.

Q: What’s AALA?

A: The Association of American Literary Agents s is a professional organization of over 400 agents.

Q: What do you charge?

A: Like most agents, we charge the industry-standard 15% commission. We do not charge any reading fees.

Q: You’re not in New York. Does that matter?

A: In the book publishing world, it’s who you know, not where you’re located. We have decades of experience and myriad contacts with editors.

That said, we visit New York regularly to meet with editors in person, and also attend Book Expo and other industry meetings throughout the year.

On Publishing and Literary Agents

AALA (Association of American Literary Agents)

Publishers Weekly

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Literary Market Place (LMP) published annually by Bowker and available by subscription or at the library

Writer’s Market, published annually by Writer’s Digest Books

On Proposals

How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen

 

On Rejection

 

Rotten Reviews and Rejections edited by Andre Bernard and Bill Henderson

Please use the form below to get in touch with us. Thanks!

Linda Roghaar Literary Agency LLC

P.O. Box 3561

Amherst, MA 01004

413.256.1921