How do you get an Agent?
As a writer, you know that sometimes it’s harder to get an agent than it is to get an editor.
When I first decided to target the category romance market, I thought that I wouldn’t need an agent because I could handle the business aspect of writing myself. Later as my focus changed to non-fiction and single title, I realized that I’d need an agent to succeed.
Now, if you are trying to get the interest of a print publisher, you will need a literary agent to represent you. Attracting the attention of an agent is very similar to attracting an editor. However, a bad agent can hurt your career much more than no agent at all.
There are a few things you should keep in mind as you start (or continue) your search for an agent.
Prepare your very best submission —have someone else read over it. However, don’t let your perfectionism stall your efforts to get an agent.
Don’t let the joy from the offer of representation short circuit your agent research.
Check out the agent to find out
- Are they a member of The Association of Authors’ Representatives?
- Do they represent the genre you write?
- Are they actively acquiring?
- Do they accept e-queries?
AgentQuery is a great site for researching and helping you to get an agent. You can find out essential information about your prospective agent.
QueryTracker helps you in your quest to get an agent and allows you to keep track of your queries and submissions. They take all of the data entered by their members (there are free and premium membership levels), and combine the information to give a more detailed profile of the agent and the agency.
This social data gathering can give you a better insight into what to expect for your submission. It gives you a more accurate window into response time than the agency’s official response time statement.
QueryTracker also gives you a link to search for the agent and agency in Google, Yahoo, Writer Beware, Preditors and Editors, and other sites which warn writers about scams.
Before you submit
- Have a fellow writer proofread your work
- Research your chosen agent
- Visualize great results
- Hit SEND or drop your packet in the mail
May all of your submissions bring offers from your dream agent.
Write on,
Lynn Jordan
As a wanna be writer, almost afraid to hope, I didn’t even know that attracting an agent was a doable sort of thing. You made me open my door of possiblity a little wider. I can see my success before I begin thanks to your description.
Thanks,
Carrie