Laura B McGrath's "Middlemen" examines the profound influence of literary agents on modern fiction, revealing how they shape genres, global reputations, and the economics of publishing.

Agents, often secretive and cut-throat, act as gatekeepers, capable of making or breaking careers and curating literary movements. They work closely with authors, editing manuscripts and advising on plot, but their primary role is to sell. McGrath divides her analysis into six "agenting tools": The Pitch, The Debut, The Collection, The Lunch, The Advocate, and The Export. While literary agents have existed since the 1880s, their dominance in the US publishing industry solidified by the 1920s, with over 1,500 agents now filtering and certifying quality.

The "Debut" phenomenon, where agents champion new writers, can lead to massive advances and instant success, as seen with authors like Jack Kerouac and Yaa Gyasi. However, it also carries risks, with a high failure rate for second books. Agents like Lynn Nesbit and Candida Donadio have championed influential writers, while Marie Brown notably supported Black authors. Andrew Wylie, also known as "The Jackal," has significantly impacted global markets by representing international authors and estates, contributing to the rise of "universal" literature.