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Association of Authors' Representatives

AAR is the professional organization for literary and dramatic agents

     The AAR was formed . . .

. . . in 1991 through the merger of the Society of Authors' Representatives, founded in 1928, and the Independent Literary Agents Association, founded in 1977.

     The AAR has three prime objectives:
  • To keep agents informed of changing conditions in publishing, the theater, the motion picture and television industries and related fields.

  • To encourage cooperation among literary organizations.

  • To assist agents in representing the interests of their author-clients.
To qualify for AAR membership an agent must meet professional standards specified in the organization's By-Laws and agree to subscribe to the AAR Canon of Ethics.

       The Canon of Ethics

. . . is established in order to ensure that agents fulfill in a straightforward manner all obligations they undertake in relation to their clients.

The AAR does not intend to and cannot regulate the commissions, fees, services or other competitive business practices of its members nor interfere in the agent-client relationship.

      Our Mission

The Association of Authors' Representatives is a not-for-profit organization of qualified literary agents and dramatic representatives of authors, dramatists and other creators and owners of intellectual property.
  • Our Canon of Ethics governs the conduct of our members.
  • We function through our By-Laws, which provide for governance through a Board of Directors, elected by Members, supported by appointed Committees.
  • The Board appoints liaisons to other organizations in the publishing, entertainment and information industries to help identify issues of mutual concern and to enable our organizations to work together whenever possible.
We provide our members with information, education and support.
Through persuasion and advocacy we work to protect and enhance the best interests of our clients. We affirm the full individuality of our members and their freedom to act on their clients' behalf, subject to our Canon of Ethics and its definition of each individual's obligation to uphold integrity and the highest professional standards in all business dealings.
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Visit member blogs.

Dip into the everyday life of agents, experience the current challenges in publishing, theater and cinema, take an insider's look at New York, Los Angeles and the international scene.
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Join the discussion forums.

Speak up, listen up, plunge into vibrant discourse on copyright, orphan works, contract updates, optioning techniques, the future of publishing in virtual worlds, the best place to lunch downtown. Start your own confab. Enjoy!
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Get involved in a committee.

See whom to talk to about your concerns or inspirations. Check out the hot topics in all the committees. Join a committee, have an opinion, get involved, be rewarded.
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Not a member? Apply now.

Belonging to AAR shows the world you are a serious, experienced and square-dealing agent. You also get the benefit of peer support, cross-education, insider information and social interaction. Fun and good business, who can beat it?

Find out how to join AAR.