About AALA

AALA is the preeminent organization of and for professional literary agents in the United States.

For members, AALA regularly holds panels, educational programs, and social events. Our committees meet monthly to discuss important issues and prepare alerts and announcements on the latest industry developments in areas such as contracts, royalties, and legal practices. AALA serves as the hub for the literary agent community and is a valuable resource for information and networking.

For authors, AALA provides a searchable database of members for writers seeking representation. Members represent authors in all areas of the publishing process, handling the sale of rights through publication, and helping their clients develop successful publishing careers. Authors can be confident that our agents pledge to follow the highest standards of professional conduct in serving the needs of their clients. Agents must agree to adhere to the Bylaws and Canon of Ethics.

History
AALA is a nonprofit membership organization formed in 1991, and its antecedents date to 1928. Prior to the name change in 2020, AALA was known as the Association of Authors’ Representatives and included both literary and dramatic agents. The AAR was founded through the merger of two separate agent organizations, the SAR (Society of Authors’ Representatives) and the ILAA (Independent Literary Agents Association). For many years the SAR, founded in 1928, had been the only agents’ organization until the ILAA was founded in 1977. By 1990 both groups realized that having one single organization would be immeasurably more advantageous to the member agents, and the AAR was born.

Mission Statement

Since its founding in 1991, the Association of American Literary Agents has been a leading force in furthering the interests of agents, authors and other rights holders. Through regular educational programming, community-building initiatives, and advocating for agents and authors alike, the volunteer-run organization is dedicated to helping our members maintain and broaden their professional skills in a fast-changing publishing environment. Recognizing the historically exclusive nature of publishing, the AALA is committed to engendering a more diverse, equitable, participatory  and inclusive publishing community. Members of the AALA must agree to adhere to its widely-respected Canon of Ethics, thus ensuring that our membership maintains the highest standards of ethics and integrity in dealings with and on behalf of our clients and our publishing colleagues.

Donate to AALA

AALA is a completely volunteer-run organization. In order to keep our programs and initiatives strong—and without raising membership dues—we’re asking for your help. We are delighted by our growing, diversifying membership and determined to meet their needs in ways that matter. Please consider supporting our work today with a gift.

Contact us at donation@aala.org to learn more.