Frequently Asked Questions

Our definition of a historically underrepresented group includes, but is not limited to, those who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and religious, ethnic and cultural minorities.

No. While LAOC does not directly work with authors, we know that cultivating diverse talent in the literary agent field will increase and improve the representation and publication opportunities for authors from historically underrepresented communities. If you are looking for agent representation, consider browsing American Association of Literary Agents' website.

There are many ways to get involved--you can donate, volunteer, and participate in our programs. For more information, check out our How to Get Involved page.

Literary agents work with authors to sell their manuscripts to publishers, negotiate their contracts, and help them manage their careers. Participants in our fellowship program are introduced to the skills needed for a successful agenting career including how to evaluate a book's potential for publication, the basics of contracts, pitching and negotiating techniques, and more. 

Yes, both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. You must be currently enrolled as a student at the time you submit your application. Alumni are not eligible to apply.

Fellowships are designed to be fully virtual/remote. However, host agencies and fellows in the same area may meet at their discretion. 

Our partner schools include the following New York and New Jersey institutions: City College of New York’s Publishing Certificate Program, Medgar Evers College, Lehman College, Mercy College, SUNY Old Westbury, William Paterson University, or Montclair State University.

Yes! The fellowship is designed to give Fellows an in-depth look at agenting as a profession but also includes opportunities to explore publishing as a whole. Fellows get to learn about other areas of the industry such as editorial, publicity, marketing, and more. 

Mentees can talk about anything they want that pertains to their career. Our mentorship is mentee-driven which means each mentee determines the subjects and focus of their mentorship depending on their needs and wants. An agent just beginning to build their list may focus on sourcing clients and making offers while an agent with a fuller client list may focus on client management, submission strategies, and career planning. If you have specific wants in mind, you can mention them in your application, and the mentorship team will work to match you with the best mentors to suit your goals. 

Each mentee receives access to a $500 Business Development Grant. This can be used on conferences, subscriptions to trade publications, software, or anything else that will help a mentee bolster their career. Mentees fill out a short application explaining what they are wanting to spend it on, and our mentorship team releases funds within a week. The grant can be used in whole or in part. 

The next cycle will take place from October 2024-September 2025.