Agent Search

Hey Lori, I like Publishers MarketPlace, see what the sales were under a genre and who has sold what and for what amount. Shows me more up-to-date on agent.

Reputable speaks in sales for me.

I honestly don't think you will know if you are truly suited for one another until you work together for awhile.

I use the 2008 Writer's Market and look for agents who seek literary fiction and accept submissions from new unpublished writers. Sometimes they also have a little blurb about their agency seeking thoughtful narrative, and that's a plus. My ideal agent will be the one who accepts me and sells my story to a publisher and gets me a fair deal.

I am not searching but would beware of those that state that they are searching for new unpublished writers-not always a scam but more often than not-if the writing is good, professional and fits the agents-that means they see dollar signs-then that is their key-that is all!

The writer's market is pretty reliable, but their reputations are confirmed by what people say on teh inteerwebz.

davids said:

I am not searching but would beware of those that state that they are searching for new unpublished writers-not always a scam but more often than not-if the writing is good, professional and fits the agents-that means they see dollar signs-then that is their key-that is all!

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Birol said:

How do you mean, Kimmi?

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Well, Lori. I want to see an agent's sales and what she's been selling. Also I do research with agent query etc... But I look at PublishersMarketplace and not only at agents but pub houses and their editors as well.

As far as fitting with the agent, I think that is more like after the contract is signed, like a marriage, you can only hope it works out and you hope it wasn't all about the courting. This is my 2 cents.

Sage said:

How is an unpublished author supposed to get agented if they are supposed to be scared of agents that say they'll take unpublished authors?

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Reputable agents take on new writers all the time, but they don't advertise for new, unpublished authors. They know it comes with the territory and they expect the authors to realize it also. Ineffective or scam agents tend to advertise for new, unpublished authors (which is a red flag for those looking for agents).

Scammers are hoping that the new authors won't know enough about the business to recognize what's going on. This gives them plenty of time to try and fleece the new authors before cutting them loose.

Ineffective agents (which includes well-meaning people who don't have experience before becoming an agent) like new authors because since they're learning how to be come an agent (which is NOT an entry-level position, as Uncle Jim and others like to point out), the new, inexperienced author won't have anything to base their work on and hopefully will give them time to "learn" how to become an agent before pulling their books away.

Sure, there are agents who have mostly new authors as their clients (say they're moving from an associate position with another agency and starting their own stable of authors), but they don't specifically ask for new authors and would certainly enjoy having an experienced authors with cool new projects.

So, like I said, agents don't need to advertise. Once people find them, they get enough submission from current and new authors. Agents who advertise are questionable . . . agents who specifically advertise for "new, inexperienced, or unpublished authors" should be VERY carefully examined before dealing with them if not ignored altogether.

IMSNHO

I check out the usual places: PW, AQ, P&E, agency web sites, blogs. They don't all have web sites, but for the ones who do I'll see how many of their books I can actually get my hands on -- and the more I can find in my library-system database, the higher they move on my list. I'm not the only reader who could never afford to support my habit with cash.

I read a lot of agent blogs -- but most of them only for a short time. (I miss Miss Snark!!) I want to know if the person I query is going to make fun of my query letter on their blog before I send it -- if they do that kind of thing regularly, I usually won't send it. Not because I'm less than confident about my QL, but because I don't want to work with someone who would do that. Just a personal preference, not knocking agents who mention QL content or are otherwise prickly on their blogs. They (obviously) can do anything they like, but if their personality doesn't grab me on their blog it probably won't in a working relationship either.

I look for agents who rep my genre, mostly from Writer's Market and Agent Query. From that list of agents, I seek sales for my genre (since most represent other genres, too) to at least two unrelated publishing houses (not two imprints of the same publisher), ideally within the last two or three years. (I can't believe how some agents are still featuring a sale they made 20 years ago on their websites. By now, their connection to that publisher has very probably moved on--or could easily be dead.) In the titles the agent has sold to at least two publishers, I look for authors I've heard of, ideally authors whose books are on my shelves.

Then I reread my query letter and sit, paralyzed by fear.

Maryn, truthful

Given that there are so few agents in the Uk who specialise in fantasy / sci fi ( as opposed to those who don't actively say 'no fantasy', but don't really represent it.) I'd have to say - any one of the specialists.

Sage said:

How is an unpublished author supposed to get agented if they are supposed to be scared of agents that say they'll take unpublished authors?

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Not necessarily scared-cautious-there are exceptions to every rule in life whether to do with literary things or anything else. If you write and send something to an agent that they find acceptable-translation-possibility for profit-they will ask for more etc etc! There is no need to be concerned-you start at the top and work down-not at the bottom because you think you are a beginner and cannot possibly be accepted by a large terrific and generally fantasticapascious agent-not true! I wish you success and as little fear as possible. Dave

I start out my search at AQ and PublishersMarketplace. I want to know who reps my genre and what they are selling and to whom. About five years ago, I began paying attention to which publishers were putting out my favorite books and then about three years ago, I began noticing which agents were placing books with my favorite publishers (if that makes sense).

But I'm also very interested in agents who are opening new agencies, but have come from solid, reputable agencies or from the publishing industry. I figure that they may be building their own stable, but should have the skills and contacts to be a good agent.

For example, I have an agent reading a partial right now. I thought she seemed a good bet based upon her years of experience as an associate at a very respect agency. Her new agency has only been open for about two months, maybe a little less. And you know what? She has sales already. Her clients rave about her. Established, well-known agents speak highly of her. She has been stellar so far in communicating. This is an agent that I really, really want.

Absolutely. I've been put off by agents' websites or blogs--or interviews I have seen with an agent. If somebody instantly rubs me the wrong way, we might not be a good fit.