The C.Y.L.E. Agency is made up of a team of agents who represent different genres. To determine which agent is the best fit for you, be sure to check out the team page to see what they represent and which email address to send submissions to.
***NOTE: Do not pitch any of our agents on social media, via direct message, or via other means other than the submission guidelines found on their individual websites. Pitches that do not follow those rules will be ignored, and the agent may unfollow or un-connect with you, should you pitch them on social media.***
Cyle Young is a literary agent who works in both the General and Christian markets. It is best to familiarize yourself with Cyle’s interests before sending in your submission.
C.Y.L.E. works in the ABA and CBA markets, as well as with both domestic and foreign authors, and is a member of the American Association of Literary Agents.
AGENT FAQ:
What kinds of works are you looking to represent?
YA, middle grade, and chapter books, genre fiction (especially romance, Amish romance, love stories), and speculative (sci-fi and fantasy), picture books and board books, non-fiction (parenting, leadership, ministry, and self-help), movie and screenplays.
For a more detailed wish list, click here.
To see what genres the agents on my team represent, click here.
What does a literary agent do?
A literary agent represents authors in the sale of their work to publishers both large and small.
Are there any charges for your services?
There is never a charge to work with a literary agent. If an agent charges you, then you are being scammed.
How does an agent get paid?
Agents work on commission, not on retainer. The industry standard is an 85/15 split of advances and royalties. 85% goes to the author and 15% goes to the agent. Bottom line: agents get paid when you do.
Why did you name your agency C.Y.L.E. (Cyle Young Literary Elite)?
It should be simple, but not everyone seems to get it. 🙂 The initials are simply a play on my first name, Cyle. Instead of naming it CYLA (Cyle Young Literary Agency) I switched out the A for an E (Elite).
What’s different about your agency and process?
We invest a lot of time and resources in equipping our clients. C.Y.L.E. authors have access to over 105 FREE videos and FREE resources that train our authors on building platform, marketing, publicity, craft, writing mechanics, proposals writing, industry tends, and editor call for submissions. We are constantly adding new videos and resources to keep our authors on the cutting edge.
NOTE: I co-own Serious Writer, an organization that provides free and paid training and hosts events to educate writers. There is ZERO requirement to be part of Serious Writer groups, memberships, or pay to take any workshops from the Serious Writer Academy as a client of C.Y.L.E.
Will you edit my manuscript?
No. If you become my client. we will work diligently through a “polish” process, but if your book needs an edit, it will be your responsibility to contact a professional editor.
What value does an agent provide?
An agent provides insight and knowledge into many of the current publishing trends and changes. Publishing is always changing and it is easy to get left behind the curve. An agent also helps review contracts and represents your manuscript to publishing houses that do not accept unsolicited submissions.
We also mentor authors in building a platform and assist in marketing and promotional efforts.
How do I get you to look at my work?
My personal submissions inbox is currently closed to submissions. That said, there are agents within the C.Y.L.E. agency who are open to submissions and you can submit to them here. Besides sending in an email submission, another way to submit is by meeting one of our agents at a conference or online writing event.
I submitted a manuscript and didn’t hear back.
If you haven’t heard anything in over 90 days, please consider your manuscript rejected.
Can I email and ask you the status?
No. I receive hundreds of emails each day. I go through each submission that I receive in order. Please be patient, publishing moves slowly. It’s good to remember that from an agent’s perspective–an impatient prospective client makes a needy client.
Do you take new/unpublished writers?
Yes. I love working with first-time authors… but you better be willing to work hard, rewrite, and polish it until it’s ready to sell.
Do you consider simultaneous submissions?
Yes.
Can I submit to more than one agent at-a-time at your agency?
No. If we think another agent at C.Y.L.E. will fit your manuscript better, we will pass it on.
Do you offer critiques or feedback?
Not by default. It depends on my workload. My first priority is my clients. If I have time, or if there is something I like about the work, I will usually try to give some constructive advice.
You said no. Do you recommend other agents?
No. My focus is on knowing the needs of the publishers.
Do you represent illustrators?
Yes, we represent author/illustrators in the children’s picture book market. I am only interested in professional-level illustrators with a proven track record. We also represent high-level cover designers.
So, how do you make money?
I only get paid if my clients get paid. C.Y.L.E. receives the industry standard 15% commission on the income received for their work.
I want to self-publish some books. Do you get commission on those too?
No. Self-published books are not covered under our agreement.
I have a publisher/deal already. How do I submit to you?
You typically want to contact an agent before you get a book deal, but having a contract is exciting news. Please inform me of that in your email and we will work together on it.
Do you represent series?
Yes. I love to pitch a good series.
How long should my actual book be?
Use this list below as a resource; please understand if you fall outside of these suggested word count ranges, you may get a rejection.
Suggested Genre Word Counts:
- Literary / Commercial / Women’s: 80k–110k – Sweet Spot – 100k
- Crime Fiction: 90k to 100k
- Mysteries / Thrillers / Suspense: 70k–90k
- Noir and historical – 80k–90k
- Romance: 40k–100k
- Regency Romance/Inspirational Romance – 40K+
- Romantic Suspense/Paranormal Romance – 40k+
- Mainstream romance novels – 70k–100k
- Speculative: 75k–125k
- Fantasy: 90k–120k Sweet Spot: 95k–100k
- Paranormal: 75k–95k
- Horror: 80k–100k
- Science Fiction: 90k–125k
- Historical: 100k–120k – Sweet Spot: 100k
- Young Adult Fiction (YA): 60k–90
- New Adult Fiction: 60k–85k
- Middle Grade: 25k–40k – Sweet Spot: 35k
- Picture Books: 50 to 1000 words – Sweet spot: 400–750 words
- Novella: 20k–50k
- Non-Fiction: 70k–110k
- Short Stories: 1000k–10k – Sweet Spot: 3k–8k
- Flash Fiction: 100 to 500 words
You turned me down a while back, but I’ve thoroughly revised my work since. Can I try again?
Yes. Document the improvements in your email. Make sure to mention it is a resubmission.
I work in multiple genres. How do you handle that?
We have agents across all genres. If I can’t help you in a specific genre, one of them may be able to represent you.
How does the submission process work once I have an agent?
Things undoubtedly vary from agency to agency and it depends on the genre and market. But most often a manuscript is sent to 6+ publishers at the same time.
What happens if my manuscript doesn’t find a publisher?
If a book doesn’t sell, you just keep evaluating and asking questions. Why didn’t it sell? Is it the content? Is the market stale? Is the timing wrong? There can be lots of reasons why a book doesn’t sell.
In this scenario you have three options:
- Put the manuscript on the shelf and work on something new. You will have grown as a writer and hopefully; your next manuscript will find a publisher at the right time.
- Revise and edit to strengthen the proposal and then resubmit.
- Determine if the agent/client relationship is working. Even though you hope they will be career-long friendships and business relationships, sometimes these relationships don’t work.
How long does it take from the point I think my work is ready to have a book on the shelves?
Plan on 2-3 years from submission. Remember earlier when I said the industry moved slowly? It can go as quickly as 1-2 years, but it all depends on the market.