Canadian Literary Agents
Sunday, March 27th, 2011 at
4:03 am
Tagged with: canadian literary agents
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Tagged with: canadian literary agents
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You can start by purchasing Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook and/or The Writer’s Handbook for UK agents, or The Canadian Writer’s Market and/or The Canadian Writer’s Guide for Canadian agents. I’ve never read these books, but if they are anything like Writer’s Market then they will contain the information that you need.
I would advise you to take a close look at what market would be best for your book. The US market is the largest in the world. If your book is more likely to do well in the US it would make more sense to find an agent in the US because agents make a larger percentage when a book is sold in a foreign market. If you get an agent in the UK or Canada and then the book ends up selling better in the US you just gave up an additional 5-10% of your cut. If you’re not pretty damn sure that the book would do better in the UK or Canada it would not make much sense to use a foreign agent. Since the US is the largest market with the most potential for sales you should seriously think about what you’re doing before you commit to anything.
Finding a Canadian Literary Agent who accepts Middle grade novels.?
I have written a middle grade novel and am looking for a literary agent. I have a copy of the writers market, but of the pages listing agents, only 7 handle middle grade or teen books.
I have tried googling “canadian literary agents”, but nothing of substance came back in the search.
Does anyone have any suggestions for finding agents, other than the market I mean.
“Canada” instead of “Canadian” might have been a more useful Google.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=literary+agents+canada&aq=7&oq=Literary+agent
The “middle grades/teens” is, I believe, termed “Young Adult.”
Add that to your google and it may narrow your search more.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=literary+agents+canada+young+adult&btnG=Search
Is the submission process different between US and UK/Canadian literary agents?
I’m expanding my lit agent search to UK and Canadian agents. I have my standard query letter model that I’ve used for US agents, but I wasn’t sure if there’s a different culture regarding submissions for UK or Canadian agents. I’ve read that UK agents generally don’t place as much importance on the letter as US agents do, and if that’s the case, I’m assuming you can keep it bare bones. Advice?
How likely is it that a Canadian author would get a literary agent from the US?
Check out the ‘Author’s Guild’ website and Writersbeware website. Both provide easily accessible lists of reputable agents, editors, and publishers. They also list the worst of the worst in case someone tries to reach out to you so always look at that list as well. And don’t get bogged down by finding an agent near you, some authors have agents in different cities. Also pick up a copy of writer’s digest, writer’s market, and literary marketplace from the local library and pluck a few names from there. In this day and age you’ll find plenty of them have websites that give very specific guidelines as to what they are looking for and when. Also check out the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website. Plenty of the authors there give rave reviews and kudos to their agents, editors, and publishers.
There are also plenty of conferences to attend where agents hold ten minute sessions for you to pitch your manuscript. Also check out contests, some first and second place prizes are agent reviews or editor judges.
Joining groups also help with networking for names and some often have contests and mixers where you can meet agents face to face or invite the agents to come and speak.
Agents will travel to acquire the rights to a good solid piece of saleable writing and the author. Depending on the marketability of both as well as the demand for that particular genre, most agents will acquire an author and work through a subsidiary of the company in another country if they have one.
It happens all the time.
If your book is finished, beta read, polished, and ready to shop, go to a bookstore and find writers with books similar to yours.
Check their websites to see if they mention who reps for them. Sometimes a short email will get a name.
“Dear ___, I’m an aspiring writer looking for an agent. Can you tell me who represents you? Thank you, ___
(Don’t tell them about your book. It’s considered poor manners. )
Go to the agent’s sites and follow their submission guidelines to the letter.
It will probably be easier for you to try agents who accept e-submissions rather than hard copy. It saves on postage!
A successful agent will have lists of clients you’ve heard of and books you will see in stores.
It will look like this: http://www.spectrumliteraryagency.com/
or this: http://www.knightagency.net/
Any agent who charges any kind of fee is a scammer–RUN away.
Here’s a place to check them out:
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pebt.htm
The submission precess takes a long time. During the wait, be writing your next book. It will keep your head from exploding.
Good luck!
Canadian Authors and Literary Agents?
Can Canadian authors (romantic fiction) use an American Literary Agent. That market is much bigger, but not sure if I have to use a Canadian Agent or not.
Yes, you can have an american agent (man canadian authors do). http://www.sfwriter.com/agent.htm
Robert Sawyer (linkfrom his website – very good resource fr writing) has an american agent, and in this link he tells you why.
I am a Canadian writer. Is it possible to get an American literary agent?
I want to have my book published in the US as well. Would an American literary agent sign me, and find me a publisher in the States or do I have to stick to Canada?