I will be writing a book, or series of short stories, where can I get an agent?

Question

I have written and shared many of my short stories and people who read them actually think they are quite entertaining and some will ask me for more stories, I am prone to writing down certain thoughts and events and later turn them into some sort of written story, so how can I get this all published or get an agent to arrange a story line?

Answer 1

First, it's completely up to you whether or not you want an agent to represent you. I've got a book on the market and one waiting in the wings, and I don't have an agent. It's taken me a long time to get this far, but I don't know that I'd be any further ahead had I gotten an agent. But each writer has to do what's right for them--what they're comfortable with.

There are research books available to you in the public library such as the Literary Market Place. Inside this book you will find listings for both agents and publishers. Don't have time to go to the library and don't want to shell out big bucks for a book that changes every year, then visit websites like Preditors & Editors and writerswall.com. Both have listings of both agents and publishers.

Once you decide which route you want to take--agent or publisher--research what they expect from a writer during the submission process. A query letter is really sort of an introduction of the writer. It contains exactly what a publisher demands that it contain--and every publisher is different. A synopsis usually follows after the query letter but can go hand in hand with it depending upon the publisher/agent. A synopsis should only be as long as the publisher wants it to be. Some don't tell you a length requirement while others will say it needs to be a page or only a few paragraphs. A synopsis is a condensing of the entire manuscript into a few paragraphs!

As far as manuscript format is concerned, again, you really should read what the publisher is looking for. Formats change from publisher to publisher. Most want double spacing, 12 point font, Times Numeral font, etc. But some will tell you exactly how they want the manuscript formatted especially if they accept online submissions. Always, ALWAYS follow submission guidelines otherwise your work could end up unread and rejected immediately because you didn't give them what they asked for. Publishers and agents aren't interested in amateurs. A manuscript submitted your own way as opposed to their way is a sure sign of an amateur.

Lastly, once your work is accepted either by an agent or a publisher, you will need an attorney to review the contract for you to make certain your rights are protected.

Of course, there is another option available to you: sell your short stories one at a time as a freelance writer to magazines and/or ezines--both of which you'll also find listings for on the Preditors & Editors website I mentioned before.

Good luck in your endeavor. And remember, an informed writer is a successful writer! Never pay for services from an agent. All money flows to a writer...not away from it! :o)

Answer 2

Buy the latest edition of The Writer's Market or check it out from your local library. The Writer's Market (the bible of the publishing industry) lists the addresses and telephone numbers (and now e-mail addresses) of most magazines and book publishers that will accept manuscripts from unknown writers. Each magazine and book publisher provides their own guidelines on what type of material they are looking for, how to submit an inquiry to them, what their pay scale is, etc.

Most magazines and book publishers don't require you to have an agent to submit your work to them.

The Writer's Market also list some literary agents.

But in seeking out a literary agent most of them won't handle or represent short story writers (unless you're already a well established and known writer). The reason why is that the agent's commission on a sale of a short story is so small that it is hardly worth their effort. You're lucky if you can get $2,000 for 'first rights' of your short story from a magazine. The agent gets 15%. And 15% of $250.00 or even $2,000 isn't very much money, not for the time and effort the agent would be putting in to get you that sale.

Books are an entirely different thing. If an agent thinks you've got strong commercial potential as a novelist he'll take you on. If he thinks your stories or novels might bring a package deal with movie rights he'll be the hardest working sob in the world at getting you a publisher and book deal.

Answer 3

Any agent who will take you without having seen your work already published is most likely a con artist who is only taking you so that you will pay their fees. The chances that these agents will actually get you published are VERY slim. Try submitting your stories to the publications that accept these types of works. You can find a list of a few here. http://www.writersdigest.com/hotmarkets_30_2003.asp

Once you have a good list of credentials you are more likely to be approached by an agent or publisher asking YOU for your work. This is the best, and often only, way to be taken seriously in publishing.

Answer 4

Try the Writers' Market, a huge book put out about every year by Writer's Digest Magazine. It lists agents of any and all types, as well as publishing houses and magazines. It's a very good source, because the agents listed tell all the particulars of what they are looking for, what their percentage will be if you are published, physical and email addresses, and phone/fax numbers.

Answer 5

You can't "get an agent," like a Genie out of a bottle, agents work with Literary Agencies, not writers.

If you have friends that are published, ask him/her for contact information of their Literary Agent.

Take writing classes at the University in your city. The instructor is often a published writer, if not, he will, more than likely, bring a published author to class to discuss how one gets publised, gets a Literary Agent, etc.

Answer 6

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