Tips for Finding a Literary Agent
Writers Looking for an Agent Must be Patient and Determined
May 15, 2009
There are as many opinions as there are literary agents, and writers must be determined, patient, thick-skinned, and prepared for rejection, by both agents and book publishers. Just because an agent accepts a manuscript does not mean it will be published.
Poet W.S. Merwin writes, in his poem Berryman: “I asked him how do I know if I’m any good and he said you don’t. You never know. You’ll die without knowing. If you have to know, don’t write.”
But finding an agent who is willing to read a manuscript is certainly a good start. However, it is not a hit and miss activity. A shotgun approach to finding an agent will only waste a writer’s time, money, and energy. There are some definite steps and actions that can be taken to better the odds of a manuscript being accepted.
Determining What Types of Work Agents Represent
Writers must be both artist and marketer for their work. Agents generally specialize in one or more genres. Study the types of manuscripts a particular agent accepts even before emailing a query.
Some say a good way to determine the types of work an agent represents is to look at books in the same genre as the completed manuscript and look for names in the “Acknowledgements.” However, a better use of a writer’s time would be spent actually studying lists of agents and the types of genres they represent. There are many publications and organizations with sites listing agents and promotion services. Try Publishers and Agents and First Writer .
Send a Query Letter to Agents
First, query an agent about a particular manuscript. Never send the entire work without an invitation.
Stay Informed About the Literary Industry
A good way to do this is by visiting Poets & Writers or Writer's Digest online or subscribing to the print magazines. Writer's Digest is directed more toward craft articles, but also has some publishing advice. Poets & Writers has insider articles about the publishing industry, literary trends, and who is writing what right now.
Talk to Other Writers
When searching for an agent, the importance of talking to who have an agent and who have been published cannot be overlooked. Often, as with many things, such as finding a job, talking to acquaintances can open a door faster than merely hoping talent will suffice. Why else would such networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter be so popular?
- Get to know writers who have been published, and ask them about their agents and the process. Learn from those who have actually been through the process, and perhaps even find a mentor in a more experienced writer.
- Ask them if their names can be used in query letters to agents.
- To find other writers, get involved in community non-profit writing groups, attend literary readings, and check bulletin boards in bookstores or college campuses for names and services. Often, writers moonlight as editors, and someone advertising editorial services may be able to talk about the publishing industry.
Finding an agent will take time and effort, but a writer’s patience and determination will pay off when they find the right agent who is interested in their manuscript.
