Finding A Literary Agent
Finding A Literary Agent You Can Work With
Author: Ken Snodin
So you have finally finished writing the book for which you toiled so hard and just like your newborn, is very close to your heart? And you thought that you have crossed the biggest hurdle? Well now comes the tougher part, which is to get your book printed and making it see the light of the day. For this, you would need the services of a book agent. Not just any book agent, but also someone who is good at his work. There are many kinds of literary agents and hence you have to be careful with who you choose to represent you.
To start with, do a background search on the area of specialization of the book agents. This is important since some agents work with fiction, some specialize in poetry whereas other love technical titles. Once you identify a list of agents who deal in your area of work, you would need to zero down on someone who can ensure that your interests are protected. This is difficult since finding agents who know their jobs is very difficult. It’s almost like searching for a needle in a haystack. Don’t be surprised if you keep bumping into scammers disguised as book agents. Though people like these are available in plenty, they are in it only for themselves and can be really terrible at their job.
A good book agent knows his job well, probably would have learnt it by working for some other reputed agent. That would have helped him learn the tricks of the trade by talking independently to the publishers as well as the authors. He would have the gone ahead and set up his own business. These agents toil hard and will be on your side without ever asking you for any monetary benefits. They will also do things like editing your books free of cost.
However, if you land up with a scammer, you will find that he will send you a bill even before the book hit the shelves. This is something that a genuine agent will not do. Once your book starts selling, he gets his money as a share of the amount you get from the proceeds. This can be a real-time filter of isolating a scammer from a genuine agent. Also, a scammer will make you get your revisions and editing done by a third party though it is supposed to be done by him for free. They are book agents after all and it is imperative that they should have editing skills.
In a nutshell, ensure that you do a thorough research on book agents. You should feel comfortable with them right through. However, if you feel that something is not right, switch to another one at the first opportunity. Don’t panic if you find yourself doing this often since it is important that you are working with the right person. After all it is a question of making your dream come true!
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“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
Hmm. You could try Samhain. They are fairly new, but I know some authors with them. They have books in Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and I think other stores. They publish a lot of what you’re describing. Here’s the link:
http://www.samhainpublishing.com
Also, if you need to keep looking besides this place, try this site because it lists like every publisher there is and tells you if their legit, or not and if you should be cautious, and who is recommended. There are also links, agents, forums, and conferences listed there.
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm
Hope this helps!
Your first step is to complete your novel’s first draft, then rewrite and polish it until it can’t possibly be improved. This may take years. If you merely have a completed novel you’ve gone over a few times, it’s not ready, even if it’s pretty damned good.
Put it away for six months, no peeking, while you do your homework. You can jot yourself notes, but you literally cannot read any of it. You will be amazed at both the ideas you get for improving it and the flaws and weaknesses which fresh eyes see six months later.
Next up, identify agents who have recently sold other novels like yours. (“Recently” means in the last two years or so.) Visit large bookstores. Note titles, authors, and publishers of the books in your genre.
Get online and try to determine which agent sold each book. (Search “Full Title” + agent. Also try “Author Name” + agent.) You can find other agents seeking work in your genre through “Writer’s Market” and “Literary Marketplace” (US) or “Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook” (UK). Check the publisher listings, too, which will include “agented submissions only” or not. (Maybe you don’t even need an agent.)
Research each agent. Find websites with career history, sales, personal bio, blogs, AAR membership, etc. Determine whether they prefer email or regular mail for queries. Figure out who’s a good fit for you. Don’t be afraid to aim high. The worst that can happen is they say no. Your research should include a visit to Preditors and Editors.
Write a one-page query letter, tailoring it to individual agents based on the information you got from research, and send it to the few agents you’d most like to represent you. If the query letter is really good and you’ve done your homework well, at least some will ask for a partial or full manuscript. If none does, rewrite the query before sending out the next batch.
Remember, reputable agents charge the author NOTHING up-front. Some agents may deduct the costs of doing business (copies, mail, phone) from your first check, but nobody legitimate needs any money to get started.
There are tons of scam agents, especially in the film field.
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm
Try writing successful screenplay writers and ask if they could point you toward their agent. Most have a website and contact addy. Don’t tell them about your work, as it’s impolite. (Hello, I’m an aspiring writer…)
Have more than one screenplay to submit.
And just because you’ve written one, doesn’t mean they’ll take you on as a client.
This safe, FREE writer’s board has a good forum on screenplay writing and can help you:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/
Obey Yog’s Law: Money flows toward the writer.
If they want a fee before making a sale for you, run away.
Having a good literary agent at your side is an enormous benefit for any writer. The agent does the footwork, knows the publisher connections, and grasps the intimidating terminology that publishers employ in their book dealings. However, securing representation with a literary agent requires a great deal of patience and hard work. You must write both a compelling and succinct query letter and also pitch it to the proper agent at the right moment in time.
Query letters should be one page, two to four paragraphs in length and should include a brief synopsis and any writing credentials you have garnered, such as awards, literary contests you’ve won, etc. For your safety I recommend only querying agents that are members of the Association of Authors’ Representatives or that adhere to their system of ethics and standards. Their website is at: http://www.aar-online.org
Once there, just click on the link called “database of agents” and follow the steps to narrow your agent’s genre. You’re looking for agents accepting unsolicited queries or submissions. Any agent asking for money upfront or fees to view your material is to be avoided like the plague. Agents should make nothing unless they sell your book to a publisher. In that case they get a certain percentage of profits, usually 15 to 25%.
When you write the agent don’t say,
Dear Agent ____,
Instead write,
Attn. Mr. John Smith:
Start your query letter’s first paragraph with your best hook, your most compelling line. You want to grab the agent’s attention immediately. At the close of the query letter be sure to thank the agent for his/her time and consideration, and say you would be willing to send him part or all of your manuscript.
Good luck. Write the next best-seller!
I am having trouble finding a literary agent not in Writers Market?
I have written a 51,000 word romantic vampire comedy and am having trouble finding an agent. I have went through most of the writers market and have gotten 21 “No Thanks” letters. Most say that this is not their genra even though it says so in their descript. Any suggestion?
How do you go about finding a literary agent?
I write short stories mainly. Horror, action, fantasy are my genres.
I have NO money really to speak of.
How do you go about finding a good agent? Do they really make it easier for you?
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.
Can someone help me with finding an literary agent?
I want to get a Young adult book published,But Im having troubles looking up agents. So if someone could help find a agent who will work With young adult fiction and also a first time author it would be greatly appreciated.
Finding a literary agent for screenplays?
I am a non-WGA member who is having a little trouble finding and securing a literary agent due to many agencies only accepting solicited work, and many not having Lit. departments at all! Any tips for securing an agent?
P.S. Let me clarify that I need to *find* AND *secure* an agent who will accept non-solicited writers. Thanks.