How do I go about getting a litracy agent?

Question

I am three quarters of the way from finishing one of my many novels. Does anyone already have an agent? How do I go about getting one?

Answer 1

First you finish your book. Then you proofread it. Then you edit it again and again and again. No reputable literary agent will look at an unfinished novel from an unproven author. You have to have the best possible finished book that you can produce in your hands. Then, you have to do your research.

As far as novels go, different agents specialize in different things, and fiction is a broad world. You have to try and submit your material to agents that represent similar works (ie, don't send fantasy novel to a romance agent). So do your homework. Take a look at the most recent "Writer's Market"... or even better, try the "Guide to Literary Agents".

No publisher or agent should charge you any money up front! That is the sign of a scam! They make money by selling your book. Agents work on a commission (generally 15% of the amount of money the publishers pay you).

Make sure that you follow their exact submission specifications. You can't send them your book, but you should be sending them a query letter (Nicholas Sparks has a good example on his website).

Here are some websites that can help. Read them thoroughly and research, research, research! Pay special attention to Miss Snark, because her archives can answer any question you ever have about publishing:
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/
http://www.agentquery.com/
http://www.misssnark.blogspot.com

And be warned of the people on this list:
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/twentyworst.html

Good luck

Answer 2

Check out these sites, have a thick skin, and be persistent. New fiction writers seeking agents have a steep uphill climb. I'm one of them. Good luck. The first site lists reputable agents, the other gives tips about how new writers can protect themselves.

http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do

http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html

Agents will either ask for a query letter and/or a synopsis (summary) of the novel and/or the first few pages (usually 5 up to the first 50 pages [or first 3 chapters]) of the novel. You will be required to send along an appropriate-sized envelope with appropriate return postage for when they send whatever you send them back to you.

Answer 3

In England, the equivalent to The Writers' market is The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. It lists literary agents in the UK and in the US.
But be aware there are crooks, conmen and lazy gits out there, and you can't tell from their write-up in any listing, or by membership of any society. The real rogues and scamsters are well known but new ones crop up all the time.
Pay nothing whatsoever up front and get a lawyer to check any contract you may be asked to sign.

Answer 4

Locate a copy of the current Writer's Market--either in your library or bookstore. Then peruse the countless listings of literary (ahem, literary) agents that might accept the genre of your manuscript.

Follow their submission guidelines exactly, making sure that your manuscript is free of spelling and grammatical errors.

Good luck.