Tips For Finding an Agent

A Quick Guide to the Do's and Don'ts With New York's Author Managers

Dec 8, 2008

So, you've finished that first novel and you want to know: how to get an agent? Most times, this is easier said than done. Here's how you can improve your chances.

A common fact about literary agents is that they are extremely busy people and receive far more queries from hopeful authors than they have roster vacancies to fill. Given these dynamics, it is extremely important for an author to make sure that his or her query letter stands out head and shoulders above the rest.

Steps for Approaching a Literary Agent

Before you mail your query letter, make sure that the letter is clean from any and all errors, that you have spelled the agent and agencies name correctly, that no fancy fonts or colors are used, and that the letter and envelope have not been soiled by coffee or food. While this might sound picky, agents will often note these preferences on their websites and blogs.

Also, tailoring your query letter to an agent’s specifications is extremely important, as some do this to make certain that the author will make the effort, and is truly interested in working with them. For example, if you e-mail your query, make certain that it is addressed to only one agent, without showing a bevy of other agent’s names in the queue.

Finding a Literary Agent

At one time, reading Writer’s Market or attending conventions would have been the common way to make contact with agents (and they still are). However, times have changed in favor of the writer. Some agents now write blogs to give author tips on how to land agents, the current publishing climate, and even their specific needs as agents.

Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maas Agency maintains a blog in which she informs her hopeful authors of how many queries are in her slush pile, how many she has rejected, how many were asked for a partial manuscript, and which genre they came from. Agent Nathan Bransford of the Curtis Brown Agency maintains a similar blog to keep his hopeful authors abreast of his needs and what not to send him.

You've Landed an Agent: Now What?

A writer’s relationship with his or her agent may be an enduring one, and authors and agents alike believe that it’s important to make sure that you’ve made the right match. An agent who is successful with one author might not be successful with another, and vice versa. Lori Perkins, author of The Insider’s Guide to Getting an Agent (Writer’s Digest Books, 1999), likens the author’s approach to the new author/agent relationship to going on a first date. She feels that the author should always put their best foot forward, be punctual, polite, and to never discuss ‘previous relationships’ (or anything dissenting from the business at hand).

For further reading, you might check out The Insiders Guide to Getting an Agent, by Lori Perkins (Writer’s Digest Books, 1999) ISBN – 13: 971-0898799095

The copyright of the article Tips For Finding an Agent in Freelance Writing is owned by Derek Clendening. Permission to republish Tips For Finding an Agent in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.