Writers' Literary Managers Explained: Responsibilities and Reasons
In the dynamic world of writing, understanding the roles and responsibilities of literary agents, managers, and producers is crucial for any aspiring writer. Each of these industry professionals plays a unique part in shaping a writer's career, and it's essential to know the differences between them.
Literary Agents
Literary agents are licensed professionals who actively seek and negotiate employment for writers. They have the legal authority to sign contracts and finalize deals. Agents typically juggle many clients and are focused on the transactional part of the business, often handling submissions to publishers, studios, or networks.
Literary Managers
Literary managers are more involved in the long-term career development of a writer. They provide personalized guidance on projects, skills, and career goals but cannot legally sign contracts or negotiate deals, only advise on them. Managers often have a smaller client base and help coordinate various aspects of a client’s professional life, including hiring people to assist, managing deadlines, and refining creative output.
Producers
Producers, distinct from agents and managers, mainly work on bringing written content into production, particularly in film, television, or theater. They handle financing, hiring, scheduling, and creative decisions to make a project happen but do not typically manage the individual career of a writer or negotiate publishing contracts directly.
The Key Differences
Agents secure and finalize work deals for the writer, managers nurture the writer's career and creative development without direct negotiation, and producers focus on producing the content created by the writer.
Managers become trusted advisors who help identify a writer's strongest voice and prime them for agency-level attention. They audit a writer's body of work, advise on what to polish for different opportunities, and pinpoint skill gaps if a writer aims to pivot genres or media.
If a writer is determined to level up their game, professional feedback before seeking management is recommended. Review how they pitch themselves to ensure they speak clearly about their strategy and outline how they plan to nurture a writer's work.
Managers can attach as producers to scripts, while agents cannot due to legal and union boundaries, which can mean extra support or muddy division of credits if not disclosed. They shield writers from predatory deals and poor career moves, sharing insights that can't be Googled.
Finding the Right Fit
Managers look for writers with a body of work, clear effort, a strong voice, and genuine readiness. Choose managers who show a history of championing similar writers and who mesh with a writer's communication style and goals.
Never pay up front for management. Legitimate managers work on commission, earning only when a writer does. Regular check-ins on projects are expected in productive manager relationships. Quality managers surface at industry events, seminars, contest ceremonies, and through recommendations by working writers.
Greenlight Coverage is a software that provides industry-grade script analysis and development roadmaps. It helps writers spot blind spots, polish language, and strengthen structure before managers see their scripts.
In summary, the right manager offers ongoing mentorship, not just transactions. They identify weak spots, such as if a writer's samples are all features, but they want TV rooms, and suggest targeted development. They open industry doors, often being the reason producers or executives bother to open a writer's email. They guide creative direction year-round, versus agents who prioritize legal negotiations or selling scripts.
Managers shape a writer's portfolio, making it speak for them even before meetings. They provide ongoing strategic feedback, career counsel, and proactive script development. They become a writer's champion, voicing their strengths where they'd never get a seat at the table alone.
[1] Literary Management 101: What Managers Do and How They Can Help Your Writing Career
[2] The Role of a Literary Manager: What They Do and Why You Need One
[3] The Literary Manager: What They Do and How They Can Help You
- In addition to understanding the roles of literary agents and producers, it's beneficial for aspiring writers to familiarize themselves with the functions of literary managers in the industry.
- Literary managers, unlike agents, focus on a writer's long-term career development, offering guidance on projects, skills, and career goals.
- While agents specialize in securing and finalizing work deals, managers act as trusted advisors, helping identify a writer's strong voice and preparing them for agency-level attention.
- Managers can also serve as producers, attaching to scripts and helping bring written content into production, particularly in film, television, or theater.
- When seeking a manager, it's crucial to find one with a history of championing similar writers and who communicates effectively with the writer's style and goals.
- Legitimate managers work on commission and provide ongoing mentorship, not just transactions. They offer strategic feedback, career counsel, and proactive script development, making a writer's portfolio stronger and ensuring they get a seat at the table.
