How to Find a Literary Agent
When beginning your writing career, it is imperative that you find a literary agent who will fit your needs. This means that you will want to find an agent experienced in marketing books associated with your particular genre. There are any number of online platforms available that offer a wealth of information for not-yet-published writers who are at the starting gate of their career. These platforms have been critically reviewed and screened in order to provide the most thorough and efficient support in planning, writing, formatting, editing, and, finally, marketing your book.
Where to Begin Your Search
Reedsy is one such database where you can find an exhaustive list of literary agents along with their locations, email address, the best way to contact them, and a list of the genres they specialize in. Your literary agent will be the one who will guide you through the first steps of your career, so spend time reviewing their information and getting to “know” them before you decide to reach out with a query letter.
He or she will be the primary liaison between you and others in publishing who will serve to be essential to your career. Literary agents know what editors are particularly interested in and what types of books publishers are open to consider. They will negotiate on your behalf, and they will act as mediator between you and your publisher. Take time to study what each agent looks for in a client and review their preferences before deciding whether they are a good match for you.
There is no lack of platforms out there that are especially designed to help guide unpublished authors through the steps leading up to publication, marketing and sales. For instance, Upwork and Fiverr are freelance marketplaces where people in the publishing industry will offer their services to writers who are looking for a more affordable directory than some of the other platforms that charge a fee to join.
Databases like ProWritingAid, Atticus, Novlr, and Scrivener also offer a diverse range of tools with which to write and track your goals. They also provide features for formatting and organizing your notes, as well as sections for rearranging the information you have compiled. All databases are not the same, so it is important to research each one to be sure which of them meets your particular needs.
When choosing your literary agent, and any professional who you will depend on for editing and marketing, be sure to analyze them thoroughly. Some databases like Reedsy will list professionals that are already vetted, but not all of them do. Your research will serve you best if you leave no stone unturned. Again, as a new author, if you’re looking to keep costs down, there are platforms that are free and there are those that will charge a minimal fee. This all goes under the heading of what will best fit your needs.
The Author’s Guild offers a Guide to Literary Agents to help give writers added direction. They suggest these organizations and platforms to look through when searching for your literary agent:
Your Query Letter
When you have chosen the literary agents you want to reach out to, it will be time to fashion a query letter to send each one. A query letter is usually just one page and should be 250-450 words. Set it up to be left justified with no indents so it will be clean and uniform. This is the information your letter should contain:
1. Briefly, explain why you have chosen the particular agent to query. You can mention the genre they represent or even name one of their clients.
2. Give them the most important facts about your book; title, subject matter, comparable titles, and how you see your book fitting into the current market.
3. Give them a summary of your book. If you’re writing fiction, tell them about the main character, some highlights, and the main idea of the story. If your book is nonfiction, briefly explain who the target audience would be and offer a distinctive proposal for selling it.
4. Give a short idea of who you are. Just a paragraph explaining your credentials that relate to writing, what is your expertise, and any community involvement you’ve experienced with your writing.
Remember to keep your letter within these guidelines. Keep it short but concise. Keep everything you’re offering brief and to the point. Customize each query letter you send by using the agent’s first and last name. Do not do a mass mailing where each letter begins with “Dear Sir” or “Dear Madam.” Personalize each letter and sign off by telling them that the full manuscript is available upon request. Your query letter is your “pitch,” and you want to pique their interest. Leave them wanting more.
Many databases, Reedsy for example, offer lists that have the names and contact information for hundreds of literary agents who are currently seeking submissions. These are the ones you want to target. Comb through them, find the ones who specialize in your genre, (the lists will include this information) and get your query letters out there. The lists will also name some of their past clients.
Watch For Red Flags
If an agent requests money upfront, they are probably a fraud. If they require “reading fees”, money for mandatory editing services, or administrative costs before selling your book, this is a red flag.
Another red flag would be if they refer you to any other expensive publishing or editing services that they happen to own or that they are tied to financially.
Beware of someone who cold-calls or emails you are telling you that they are a literary agent, that they read your manuscript, they loved it, and they want you to pay them to represent your book.
Remember that a legitimate agent will only get paid for representing you after your book has sold. They are paid a standard commission which is usually 15%.
Searching for your literary agent is finding the person who will have your best interests in how they represent your manuscript. Take your time “shopping” and be sure to find the one who checks all your boxes.