How to Query Agent from Overseas

Loads of writers have agents in a different country.

In the query say something like "I am a xxxx-based writer"

Communication with your agent is almost all by e-mail so it doesn't matter how far away you are.

I live in Canada and queried agents in Germany. All communication was by email, even though a couple of the agents I queried stated on their websites that they only accepted manuscripts by mail. I signed my initial pitch with my full mailing address and phone number, so it was immediately obvious where I live.

When I got an offer, we talked on the phone and then they emailed me the contract, which I printed out, signed, scanned and emailed back to them. Since then, we've been communicating via email.
In case they find a publisher *sigh*, I could use a German bankaccount if I had one, or else they'll transfer the money to my Canadian account.
As far as taxes go, you'll probably have to figure that one out yourself. If your agency rep's somebody else in your country, they may already know what the rules are. Otherwise you get to talk to the tax people - always such fun

Good luck!

I wouldn't even worry about mentioning where you're from in the body of the query. A lot of agents ask that you include your postal address in your contact details, even if you are querying via email, so I just list my postal address, including the country, and they can find out that way. It doesn't seem to be a big deal for most agents.

I'm not sure what happens re: tax but that's something to worry about later. I think I remember Kristin Nelson once saying something about non-US authors can fill out a form so they aren't charged tax on their earnings from the US, otherwise you'd be taxed twice. But yes, that's a worry for down the track.

Bron said:

I'm not sure what happens re: tax but that's something to worry about later. I think I remember Kristin Nelson once saying something about non-US authors can fill out a form so they aren't charged tax on their earnings from the US, otherwise you'd be taxed twice. But yes, that's a worry for down the track.

Click to expand...

Correct
Here is a recent thread discussing how to get that form completed:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202216

Isn't your address on the query letter you send them? (Regardless of whether it's email or snail mail.)

Vemy Paw said:

I read somewhere that a fantasy manuscript has to be accepted by publisher before the author look for an agent, is that true?

Click to expand...

Absolutely untrue
Most major fantasy publishers (Tor and Baen being the major exceptions) will not consider manuscripts from unagented writers so an agent is essential.

Bron said:

I wouldn't even worry about mentioning where you're from in the body of the query. A lot of agents ask that you include your postal address in your contact details, even if you are querying via email, so I just list my postal address, including the country, and they can find out that way. It doesn't seem to be a big deal for most agents.

Click to expand...

Ditto.