ASA Publishes a Model Literary Agent Agreement With AI Clauses

What did the Australian Society of Authors publish for authors negotiating with an agent? A new model contract that, for the first time, includes clauses about generative AI. On September 29, 2026, the ASA posted New model literary agent agreement, now with AI clauses. Mary Colussi is the named author of the post. The society says it is thrilled to publish its new Model Literary Agent Agreement Between Author and Agent. The agreement includes a sample schedule of permitted AI uses. The ASA says the resource will give authors the information they need to negotiate with confidence.

A guide for an offer, or a model for your own contract

The post describes two uses. An author who has been offered a contract by a literary agent can treat the template as a guide for understanding and negotiating a fair deal. An author can also use it as a model to create their own contract. Sections to adapt are highlighted throughout the document.

Explanatory notes about legal and publishing terms appear throughout the agreement. Those notes include information on the emerging standards around generative AI. The clauses about generative AI, and the sample schedule of permitted AI uses, are part of that downloadable agreement.

Download, and the member price

The Model Literary Agent Agreement is available for download from the Resources section of the ASA website. The announcement describes a discounted member price. To access that price, the buyer logs into an ASA account at the time of purchase.

Where the announcement sends a question, a review, or a search for representation

The post tells authors who have a specific question about literary agents, or about any other aspect of the publishing industry, to submit an enquiry through the ASA Member Advice Service.

An author who already has an agent agreement and needs it reviewed can book a contract review with Authors Legal. The ASA calls Authors Legal its bespoke subsidiary law firm.

Authors looking for representation can find a list of Australian literary agents under the "Who's who of the Australian book industry" category in the society's Book Industry Directory. The same post points to Virtual Literary Speed Dating events as a place to pitch to an agent.

Why it matters for authors

The document the ASA is publishing is a Model Literary Agent Agreement Between Author and Agent. The society says generative-AI clauses appear in it for the first time, together with a sample schedule of permitted AI uses and explanatory notes on the emerging standards around generative AI. An author holding an agency offer can use the template to understand and negotiate that deal, with the adaptable sections marked. An author writing their own agreement can start from the same model. The announcement also names the practical next steps on the ASA site: download the agreement from Resources, log in at purchase for the discounted member price, send an agent or industry question through the Member Advice Service, book a review of an existing agreement with Authors Legal, look up Australian literary agents in the Book Industry Directory, or pitch at a Virtual Literary Speed Dating event.

Sources

• Australian Society of Authors: New model literary agent agreement, now with AI clauses (September 29, 2026, Mary Colussi)
• Australian Society of Authors: Resources