Does anyone know of a good reliable literary agent?

Question

I have done some online research and wanted some more names/information/sources.

Answer 1

Writers Market costs 30 bucks and you can buy one anywhere. It is a good buy. However, Literary Marketplace is much better and more comprehensive. It costs 300 but is available in library reference sections.

What you have to do is spend a lot of time reading and making notes. You need to look for agents who represent the genre you write in. Then, make notes on their submission requirements. What do they want? Query letter? Synopsis? You must send EXACTLY what they ask for and nothing more. If they want more, they will contact you and request it. Then do they want you to snail mail or e mail? Make all these notes.

That is only the beginning. You must research anyone before you send them anything. Check with Preditors and Editors, Absolute Write Water Cooler's Bewares and Background Checks, Writers Wall, Writers Weekly and many more. If there are any complaints against this agent, they will show up and then you should run far and fast.

It is a long drawn out procedure. Expect a lot of rejections. Mostly it isn't personal. These people are inundated with queries from every person from age 12 up who thinks they are they next Shakespeare. They can only handle so many clients. If they are nice, they will include a little bit about why they rejected you, but mostly you will get form letters. Keep sending. Gone with the Wind got over 50 rejections. Learn to develop a hide thicker than a herd of buffalo. You will need it.

Then once the agent has you signed, the process has just begun. They will want a book proposal from you. That is the tool they will use to sell your book to a publisher. That can take a long time. There are books that teach you how to write a great proposal, but to be perfectly honest, you should hire an editor before you try to sell the book. Editors know what sells. They are used to dealing with publishers. They also know how to write great proposals.

An agent doesn't charge you to work for them, but they can charge you legally for incidentals like copies of your manuscript, mailing costs, long distance calls etc. An editor will charge, but a good editor is worth his or her weight in gold.

Good luck to you. Pax- C

Answer 2

http://www.writersmarket.com/

this is a site that you have to pay a yearly fee for, but they have lots of perks, and list both agents and publishers.

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm

this site is free but the address is longish and doesn't always appear when the responses are posted... prededitors/pubagent.htm should be the tail end... they also give comments good and bad about the listings.