When your manuscript is finally done, the real journey begins, and often with the question – Who do you send it to first—a literary agent or a publisher? Every writer reaches this “Road less travelled” situation – with a lot of hope and confusion.

Many writers frantically start emailing and contacting publishers in this dog eat dog world to make sure their story reaches before potential competitors. And, after all, isn’t getting published the end goal? But in most cases, especially for debut authors, the smarter first step would be finding a literary agent.

A good agent is more than a middle person. Literary agent services involve championing your manuscript, shaping your pitch, and ensuring your work lands in the right hands. Whether you’re looking for a literary agent for fiction, non-fiction, or even a memoir, agents understand the market—and the editors—better than most writers ever can on their own.

If you’ve ever Googled “how to find a literary agent for my book,” you already know it’s not just about sending a manuscript and ‘hoping for the best’. It’s about finding someone who believes in your story and can provide the right network to get it published. Today, book agenting services cover everything from contract negotiations to long-term career planning. Check out this article to know what a literary agent really does.

It’s also worth noting how genre-specific the agenting world has become. A literary agent for memoir understands the emotional nuance such a book requires. A literary agent for screenwriters can guide you toward film and streaming adaptations. For those who want to explore traditional publishing after having dabbled into self publishing – or vice versa, there are literary agents for self-published authors who specialize in that transition.

Now, what about sending your manuscript straight to publishers? It’s possible – but challenging. Some publishers are open to unagented submissions, especially in niche genres or regional languages. But going in without an agent means you’re also on your own for contract terms, rights negotiations, and revisions. A book publishing agent can make sure your interests are protected from the very start.

And yes, literary agents accepting submissions from new writers do exist. Many even seek out literary agents for debut authors, because discovering fresh voices is part of the thrill. The key is to do your research. Write a strong pitch. And most of all, be patient.

So, agent or publisher first? If you want guidance, advocacy, and a fair shot at the publishing world, the answer is clear: find a literary agent first. If you want to learn more about agenting services, click here. And if you would like publishing guidance on how best to get your book to shelf, learn more about our services here.