I've completed a couple of books and I'd like to know how to contact literary agencies within Canada.?

Answer 1

I'd suggest looking at a few of books to start with. The Writers' Market, The First Five Pages, and Making a Literary Life.

In this day-and-age the best thing you can do to get yourself in front of publishers and literary presses / houses is to get an agent. I know that's a sad state of affairs, but it's the reality of the business now. A few of the smaller operations (like Copper Canyon Press or Scala House Publishing) still deal directly with authors, but there seem to be fewer with each passing year.

I work as a corporate writer, editor and write for a variety of magazines so I've picked up a few tricks over the years in getting published.

If your book is ready and you have the time I'd suggest getting some articles published in magazines that are related to the topic of your book. If it's about cruising the waters of Vancouver Island get an article out to Sunset magazine or Coastal Living. This has several benefits:
-gets you exposure as an authority in the field.
-gives you published material to shop around.
-editors of magazines love to see their writers become authors so you have an advocate for your writing
-if your book gets published the magazines you've been printed in are disposed to giving you a book review in their pages.

Also start going out to all the literary events you can; attend area workshops, author readings, etc. The more you plunge yourself into literary efforts, the more likely you'll be to help bring you work to publication.

Hope this helps. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me directly. --Andy

Answer 2

Sunnyside:
There are many publishers out there and believe me, it is hard to find one. I spent two years and many, many manuscripts sent with only three replies to the negative. One took three years to reply? Just type in Canadian Literary Agency's and try some of these.
I then went the self publish route. Very hard row to hoe. It worked for me only because I am retired and had time to do many book signings.
I write this mainly to warn you about the bad guys out there trying to take your money for nothing. Check (Warning &Cautions for Writers) May save you some headaches.
Wayne Russell, The Vagabond Writer

Answer 3

Go to a bookstore in your city. They probably have a "Writer's guide," that lists Literary Agents and Publishers.

Answer 4

look in the phone-book