Explore the value of community.
Anyone working at a literary agency in the United States is eligible to apply for membership in the AALA. Applicants must meet AALA’s professional qualifications and agree to adhere to its widely respected Canon of Ethics.
AALA Members:
- Gain access to exclusive resources, panels, and educational programming
- Join a nationwide network of ethical, professional colleagues
- Participate in industry-leading committee work
- Are eligible to serve on our Board
- Receive a personal profile on our website
- Vote in organizational elections
- Can use the AALA membership badge in bios and email signatures
All applications will be reviewed by the Membership Committee and require approval by the Board of the AALA. You may be asked for additional information if necessary.
Membership Dues:
- $175 for members with 5+ years of literary agency experience
- $75 for members with under 5 years of experience (Internships do not count toward experience for dues purposes.)
One-Time Registration Fee: $75
Just starting out?
We offer Educational Access to help you build your career:
- For individuals with less than 2 years at a literary agency (excluding internships)
- Full access to AALA’s educational programming and community
- No board eligibility or public member profile
Dues: $25 annually — and no registration fee!
Educational Access is available for up to two years.
Retired or Retiring?
We are pleased to offer Emeritus Membership, an honorary designation for members who have retired–or are in the process of retiring–from active practice as literary agents. AALA greatly values the wisdom and insight of our membership, especially those who have seen their careers all the way through.
- Retain access to select member benefits, including all programming and mixers
- Receive organizational communications, and invites to participate in programming or mentoring roles.
- Note: Emeritus Members do not retain voting rights, board eligibility, or a public member profile.
Dues: $75 annually — and no registration fee!
Membership Benefits
Programs
Events
Resources
Mentorship
Alerts
Offers
Visibility
I have long been proud to be a member of an organization that prioritizes ethics in the way that AALA does. Now, as a non-NYC-based agent, I especially value the opportunity to have developed relationships with other agent members.
AALA has provided a myriad of resources—from programming to networking opportunities—that have been quite valuable to someone like me, a young agent in the early stages of their career. Through the efforts of the DEI committee and Literary Agents of Change, it has also provided me with the ability to make space for those who come after me.
AALA has provided invaluable support and resources as I changed careers from librarianship to agenting. Through mentorship, programming, and especially online resources, I’ve been able to grow as an agent and even begin helping others enter the field as well. Recent changes to AALA are exciting and promise a growing and vibrant professional community dedicated to improving the publishing industry, both for agents and authors.
As a young agent starting out in publishing, the AALA played an imperative role in growing my network and teaching me the core values of agenting. Now as I’ve gained my footing, the AALA has become an invaluable resource in helping navigate the rapidly changing landscape of publishing and find new opportunities for my clients.
