Scratch Reader Mailbag: What Does a Literary Scout Do?

Welcome to Scratch’s first reader mailbag! We’ve gotten many great questions about publishing and journalism in the few weeks since we announced our literary advice column. To submit one of your own, click here, scroll down to “Mailbag,” and follow the instructions. We can’t promise to answer every question, but we’re committed to giving our all to those we do! Note: Mailbag questions may be lightly edited for clarity and to preserve anonymity as requested.  

But first, some cooperative housekeeping: Manjula Martin, the original Scratch founder, will be stepping into an Editor at Large role while addressing some health issues and continuing to work on her next book. She remains an important part of Scratch (we would not be here without her!), though her participation moving forward will be greatly reduced. During this transition period — and in the spirit of transparency — our weekly posts might skip a beat here or there due to time constraints. Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we find our new bearings as a trio.

— Latria, Maggie, and Rahawa

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Dear Scratch,

I would like to ask about the profession of literary scouting: What are the main responsibilities of a literary scout, what services do they provide, and how do they usually earn their fees?

Thank you!

Best regards,
Bluet

Dear Bluet,

Thank you for asking a question that none of us here at Scratch actually knew much about! We are all now very intrigued by what seems to be the secret, cloak-and-dagger niche of the publishing world! After digging around a little bit (and asking some literary agents), here’s what we found.

Literary scouts typically work on retainer for foreign publishers or production studios, and they’re paid to write reports about what is going on in their home literary market for these clients. So if you are working in the US, you’d cover everything that the English language publishers are putting out, what’s coming down the pipe that’s going to be the next big thing, and then tell those foreign publishers what they should hop on. 

To get all this info, scouts need to be in with everyone. They’ll buddy up to agents and editors so they can learn what’s hot early on, after which they can pass along that information to their clients before anyone else hears about the Great New Manuscript that an agent just went out on submission with. “A good scout has a 360-degree view on publishing, reads quickly, and knows their market, which makes them invaluable,” according to one of the literary agent we spoke with. 

As for whether it’s a good career move for you? Consider that the role is largely paid on retainer, not salary, unless you work for a larger scouting firm. However, if you’re craving a fast-paced lifestyle in this slow boat of an industry, this could be a good move! The work is “high volume,” but once you turn in a report to your client, you move immediately on to the next thing. You’re not the one in charge of getting that book out in the next 3–5 (or more) years. But as another agent we spoke with mentioned, “publishing being publishing, there’s never enough money to go around,” so don’t expect to get rich doing it, OK?

Thanks again for asking about this. The publishing world is so mysterious (even to us at times!) and we’re aiming to demystify it one newsletter at a time. 

Good luck as you figure out your next career steps!

— Scratch

Dear Scratch,

I’m struggling with crafting satisfying writing. The stories I like have a certain texture and seamlessness to them that feel like they would train me on how to write just as wonderfully, but when I place my words on paper, they fall flat and come off less interesting than how I imagined in my head!

Do y'all know of any craft books that are written by or include writing by marginalized authors (especially Black femmes) that could help me understand how to improve? Thanks for all that y'all do!

Sincerely,
Booked to Write

Dear Booked to Write,

That particular struggle is so real. Truth be told, despite being professional writers, we at Scratch still run into walls, from time to time, trying to get our sentences and paragraphs to land on the page the way we envision them. For what it’s worth, I think this is true of most writers — it might not happen frequently, but it definitely happens. We also believe reading is one of the best ways to improve one’s craft, which is why we were so happy to receive your submission. 

Below are some of Latria and Rahawa’s recommendations for literary craft books by Black women. Not all would identify as femme, per se, but we’ve done our best to make this list as expansive as possible to cover your potential aims as a writer. 

How to Become a Black Writer: Creating and Honoring Black Stories That Matter by Marita Golden 

The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations by Toni Morrison 

On Witness and Respair: Essays by Jesmyn Ward

The Soul of the Full-Length Manuscript: Turning Life's Wounds into the Gift of Literary Fiction, Memoir, or Poetry by Zelda Lockhart

Remembered Rapture: The Writer at Work by bell hooks

Black Women Writers at Work edited by Claudia Tate and Black Women Writers at Work in the 21st Century edited by Khadijah Queen (out February 2027)

Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Further Resources 

About Writing: Seven Essays, Four Letters, & Five Interviews by Samuel R. Delany

Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses

How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, Practice, and Skill edited by Jericho Brown

How To Write An Autobiographical Novel: Essays by Alexander Chee

Writing As a Way of Healing : How Telling Stories Transforms Our Lives by Louise A. DeSalvo

— Scratch

This post was edited by Maggie Mertens.

Post-Credits Scene From the Garden

Scratch is a weekly newsletter about how your favorite writers are surviving (or not). We are a four-person collective publishing essays, interviews with other writers, and topical inquiries into the publishing and media industries today. If you like what we’re doing here and want to support us, a paid subscription is the best way to do so.