Professor Laura B. McGrath’s Middlemen: Literary Agents and the Making of American Fiction exposes the vital yet understated role literary agents play in American literature. Published by Princeton University Press, the book investigates how these gatekeepers identify talent and navigate publishing challenges.
McGrath, a Temple University professor, notes that literary agents—80 percent women and predominantly white—are typically based in New York City. She emphasizes their influence on manuscript development before publishers acquire work, often editing to enhance commercial viability.
The author cites key examples: Georges Borchardt secured Elie Wiesel’s Night after its initial rejection; Lynn Nesbit championed Jack Kerouac’s On the Road; and Candida Donadio acquired Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. McGrath also highlights how agents like Borchardt have historically rescued works from obscurity.
However, she questions whether these books represent enduring literary achievements or merely significant works of their time. The book addresses racial disparities in publishing, noting that contemporary literature remains white due to the overrepresentation of white agents and the underutilization of Black readership potential.
McGrath explains that literary agents typically receive 10-15 percent of royalties and advances for authors, with some securing multi-million dollar deals. The profession operates through apprenticeships, where supervisors mentor assistants across generations.
In her analysis, McGrath writes: “The term ‘middleman’ strikes an ironic chord because most literary agents are women.”