How do I find a reputable literary agent? Should I pay money upfront, or is that indication of a scam?

Answer 1

LIterary agents work for YOU - not the other way around. They are legally permitted to charge you for things like copies of your manuscript, postage and long distance calls, but you do not pay them for their services. A good agent states right up front what they charge you for. They make their money from a percentage of your royalties once they have sold your book.

You find one by going to a library and using their copy of Literary Marketplace, the author's Bible, in their reference section. Look for ones who are reading work in your genre. Take a notebook and make a lot of notes. Names, addresses, submission guidelines.

Then research the agent by using Preditors and Editors, Absolute Write Water Cooler's Bewares and Background Checks forum, Writers Wall, Writers Weekly and other sites like Anne Crispin's. If you find complaints and problems with the agent, cross that name off and find another.

Prepare yourself for rejection. You will get a lot of it. It isn't all personal. That is the nature of the business. Also prepare yourself for a lot of waiting. Nothing moves fast in the publishing business.

Pax - C

Answer 2

Don't pay any money. Even if you are asked something modest like to reimburse them for postage. They believe once they get a little money out of you, you'll be gradually sucked in.
Reputable agents take a cut of the income they get you from publication. Good luck finding one.
Try to publish short stories in good periodicals. Hope that an agent will read it there and contact you.
Also, get a book entitled "How to be Your Own Literary Agent." It's available at Amazon. It will tell you all you need to know about the publishing industry and how to handle things with or without an agent.

Answer 3

Never pay for a literary agent. Never query any agent who also requires you pay a reading fee.

Here is a great place to go to find legit lit agents.

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

Another place to go is The Absolute Water Cooler.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/

This is a forum type site with a lot of info on publishers and agents.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

if your e book is going to do properly, no agent will choose earnings develop.....it relatively is until eventually they are paying it to you. It sounds like conceitedness publishing. Get a reproduction, or borrow from library, a reproduction of Writers and Artists yearbook, or flow to them online. they're going to propose the superb suited publishers which you should deliver your MS to. forget approximately approximately this business enterprise. if your e book is well worth interpreting, you get the funds, no longer them!

Answer 5

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT PAY $$$ UP FRONT EVER EVER EVER!!!
Sorry to be so loud, but that is the first and biggest scam indicator.
Have a couple websites:
http://www.bookwire.com/AAR/homepage.html
http://www.scbwi.org

Good luck!