In response to my blog post a couple of weeks ago about my literary agent, I received this question from a reader: how do I find a good literary agent … any tips? Here is my answer:
It used to be that you researched at the library and came up with a rather massive list of possible agents and sent out query letters by the dozens via snail mail. Now most agents have their own websites listing what they are looking for and the submission guidelines. Some even take electronic query letters now (which definitely saves on postage and printing costs). But, from my experience, the majority of agents and editors at publishing houses still want query letters the old fashioned way.
It’s very important to match your work exactly to what the agent is looking for. For example, don’t send manuscripts for adult readers to children’s book agents. Don’t send nonfiction to an agent who mainly does fiction, etc.
A reputable agent usually belongs to AAR, Assoc. of Authors’ Representatives. http://www.aaronline.org/ They have a list of their members that you can access online. From here you can Google specific agents to find their websites or agencies and their submission guidelines.
Believe it or not, some literary agents are also on twitter and ‘tweet’ about what they’re looking for, whom they represent, etc. So don’t rule out social networking.
Also, if you belong to any national organizations for writers, look at which agents are speaking at their conferences because those are often the agents that are actively looking for manuscripts to represent. You may want to attend these conferences and meet the agent in person. If you do, keep in mind that literary agents usually get swamped with writers looking for representation, so they may not remember you, but at least you can say that you met them in the query letter you send to them after that. Also, these national organizations often have a list of agents for their members as a perk for the membership fee. This is how I found my agent.
So it really takes a lot of research, which you can do online.
Another way to start is to Google (or use the search engine of your choice) “literary agent” or “literary agent websites”, and “literary agent blogs.”
And just so you’ll know, there is a website called “predators and editors” which is a watchdog website and lists any agents that have been doing unethical things. The main thing to watch out for is that you should never ever have to pay a literary agent for anything. They get a commission when they sell your book.
Below are a few links to literary agents (and their blogs) to get you started, but really there are dozens and dozens out there. They all spell out very specifically what they are looking for and their submission guidelines (follow these to the letter).
And then you must, must, must, “gird your loins” (as a writer friend of mine likes to say) for the inevitable rejections. These are not to be taken personally. It simply means the literary agent doesn’t think they can sell what you’re submitting or they already represent something similar, or they’re having a wicked bad day and no one is looking good to them.
http://www.dystel.com/ lots of info also on their blog http://dglm.blogspot.com/
http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/
http://lyonsliterary.blogspot.com/
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/ (not an agent, but an insider into the publishing industry)
I hope this is helpful.
Keep writing!
P.S. (Added on 9/2011) Lately, I’ve been using www.agentquery.com. It seems to be a very good service.
