How many agents have you contacted until you book got published?

Question

And if you can give me some helpful hints what to look out for, that would be great.
Many thanks!

Answer 1

I must have contacted twenty, but got the books published without an agent. That's typical. Agents do not want NEW authors, but those with track records. The big publishers do not want NEW authors, but those with track records. It's far easier to get published by the small publishers, build your track record, then go after an agent or big publisher.

Answer 2

Hundreds of agents and publishers, with no success. Stay away from any who ask for money up front. Rewrite your query letters until you are certain the spelling is correct and the punctuation is flawless. Do not be discouraged by rejections, stick with it and hope someone sees merit in your work. The authors of Harry Potter and dozens of other famous works were rejected many times.

Answer 3

loryntoo knows her stuff.

agents aren't intersted in you, neither are big publishers.

small publishers, however, actually want your business, they love new authors and crave them.

i honestly wouldn't consider getting an agent until at least my fifth or sixth novel published, when I actually begin to have some clout in the literary world, until then I'm just a puppet that my publisher can do whatever they want to.

That said, disregard the number, just keep sending out manuscripts and query letters until one of them publishes you. When you run out of publishers, then it's time to rework your book or start a new one. But, no realy big loss.

Answer 4

I didn't go through an agent, I sent my first ms directly to a publisher. Imagine my surprise when I was accepted! I had expected it would take dozens of tries. Good luck.

Answer 5

Your book must be better than The Time Traveller's Wife.