Current Info: AgentQuery.com or AAR

The AAR list is important when you're checking up on an agent's legitimacy--not all successful agents are members, but membership does suggest that the agent is reputable. However, it's not a good place to look for agents to query--there's just not enough info about specialties and interests. I'd say that AgentQuery is a better resource, because it provides quite a bit of detail about those things, and in addition mentions sales.

One caveat: always do some additional research. AgentQuery is the best of the online agent listing sites, in my opinion--but like any listing of agents, online or off, there are some agents who aren't as desirable as others. Also, despite the best efforts of the site owners, information can be incomplete or out of date. If the agent/agency has a website, that should be your primary information source.

- Victoria

AgentQuery may not be up to date, because the agent hasn't contacted them with an update.

It's best to double check the agency's website if there is a link - that is the most likely place to obtain updated information.

I think AgentQuery is a great place to start while researching genre, etc., but you have to dig deeper.

Not imho. I dig even deeper. I google 'em too, just to see what pops up.

M.A.Gardener said:

Okay, so here's my process: First, see if they're listed in Jeff Herman's book. If so, one star. Next, go to AAR (and most likely go to the ageny/agents web site if they have one to double check on submissions). If AAR, they get two stars. Are they on P&E? Another star (maybe). Finally, see what people on the Water Cooler say about them. Possible four stars. The perfect dining experience. Question is... am I digging TOO deep? hehe

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Plenty of good agents aren't listed in the Herman book (and not all the agents he lists are equally terrific). Some good agents aren't AAR members. And an agent's website is usually a much more definitive source of information than just about anything else. If the agent has a website, you should always visit it.

You could be spreading a wider net. Check AgentQuery (it's searchable by genre). Are there books you think resemble yours? Find out who agents them. Subscribe to Publishers Marketplace and get their newsletter, which includes a weekly report on recent sales. PW also reports sales, and if there's a magazine that covers your field (like Locus for science fiction and fantasy), it may report on sales as well.

The other steps you're taking are good ones (visiting P&E and AW to check for problems or complaints). You can also write to Writer Beware, and we'll check our database for you: [email protected].

- Victoria

Something else worth noting. When I ran through the Writer's Market for a list of thriller agents, I found that a lot of agents took pretty much everything. For those who had Web sites, I hit the Web site to see what thrillers they had sold. In some cases, though the agents indicated they took the genre, they actually hadn't sold anything recent in it.

Great point.

Just a quick point on the original question: you asked if it would "ruin your chances" if you sent an e-query to an agent who isn't accepting e-queries. I can't say with certainty that there are NO agents who have giant sticks up their butts, but I can say that the majority of them would never write you off their list just because you e-mailed them. They just won't respond if they don't want e-queries (and may delete it unread)-- so really, if you see something saying they accept e-queries, but you haven't heard back within a month, I'd then follow up with a snail mail query. (I've done this a couple of times, and included a P.S. that said something like, "I tried sending this by e-mail, but perhaps it didn't reach you." That way they're not wondering, "Didn't I see this before?" in case they did read it.)

Jenna,

Not necessarily our business, but if you don't have an agent now, I'd think they'd all be clamoring for you!