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How To Find An Agent

Behold the agent in her (or his) natural habitat, smothered by mounds of queries... queries... queries...

If you've written your book, edited it yourself the best you can, and have all your submission materials ready to go, let's consider finding an agent.

If you want to be published with one of the big five publishing houses, it's going to be next to impossible for you to sell your book to those publishers without an agent.

So, first, let's look at what an agent does for you:

-An agent will shop your manuscript around to try and get you the highest bid.  Usually, agents get paid on commission, meaning they'll take a part of what the publisher pays you.  It's in their best interest to find you the best deal, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be getting the biggest advance.

-An agent is (most likely) more knowledgeable about the book market than you.  They know what's hot, and they know what they can sell *right now.*

-Once an agent hooks you up with a publisher, it's the agent's job to negotiate a publishing contract and be a buffer between you and the publisher.  If you're not comfortable with establishing your digital, foreign, or film rights with the publisher, here's where an agent can be really helpful.  There's a huge legal binding part of a publishing contract.  Even with an agent, you should become familiar with the rights you want to keep and the rights you want to give to a publisher.  That way, you're prepared when it's time to do business.

-An agent that's shopping your manuscript around will believe in your writing and hopefully you as a person.  (If not, then you should probably find another agent. I'd want my agent to be my advocate.)  Once your book release gets closer, agents can fight for your side with the publisher if you need things like an extended deadline or different book tour dates.

-Some but not all agents will also edit your manuscript.  In my experience, this is rare, but it does happen.

From the list above, you can see that you do not NEED an agent, but they're incredibly helpful.  My point is that it's possible to be a successful author without having an agent.  Find what works best for you.

If you want to go the agent route, there are a lot of ways to find one.  Be prepared for rejection.  But I believe that if you keep trying, you can find an agent.

So get your query, synopsis, and first 10 pages or so polished up and ready to go.  It's game time.

To save yourself and an agent a lot of time, do your research.  Find out what an agent is looking for and if your manuscript isn't a fit, DON'T QUERY.  Don't send a romance novel to an agent looking for sci-fi.  Use common sense.

A great way to find out what agents are looking for is to check out their social media.  Follow them.  Ask questions.  If you can't find your agent in question on social media, well, then I'd say you don't want to work with them anyway, but that's just me.  Don't stalk them.  That's creepy, and it will not make them accept your manuscript.

When you find an agent to submit to, make sure you send them the exact submission materials they ask for.  This is a test.  Can you follow directions?  Don't fail this one.  Lots of agents ask for different things, so stay on your toes.

**NOTE:  If an agent requires a submission fee or for you to pay them in any way, RUN!  It's a scam.  It's an agent's job to help you get paid, not to be paid by you.

Sometimes it takes ages to hear back from an agent.  Sometimes I haven't heard back from them at all.  I just let that go.  I wouldn't want a working relationship with someone who can't respond to me, but that's just my personal preference.

Some agents have instructions in their submission requirements on how to follow up with them about a query.  Again, it's all about doing your homework.

Places to find agents:

-Publishers Marketplace.  Check it out online.  It isn't free, and it's not guaranteed you'll find a deal.  This is where the pros post information about successful book deals.  Great place to do research on an agent or publisher you want to work with.

-Preditors and Editors.  Love this site.  This is where writers share all the dirt on editors and agents.  I can't stress it enough... DO YOUR RESEARCH!  It's a dog eat dog world out there, pardon me being cliche. You could also check Writer Beware.

-Writing Conference.  Just go.  Splurge on yourself.  Do a pitch slam with an agent.  (The ins and outs of that should be a totally different chapter...)

-Ask around.  Who do you know who writes?  If you're lucky enough to get a referral from another author, that could be a huge open door for you.

I've heard of cases of writers who've gotten an agent who lives in a different country.  Decide ahead of time if that's what you want.

Questions?  I know that was a lot of information...

If any of you out there have agents, I'd love to hear the story of how you met your agent.

P.S. Remember through this entire process that Google is your friend.  And other people, too.  If you don't know something, ask.  And don't give up!