How long would it take...

There's no way to know. The agent has to sell the book. Publishers buy for something like a year and a half to years in advance, so if you sold something today you're looking at a 2010-2011 release date.

And just because you have an agent doesn't mean the book will ever sell.

Cyia said:

And just because you have an agent doesn't mean the book will ever sell.

Click to expand...

So true--but if you do have one, congrats! You're farther along than some of us who will remain nameless.

(<------)

I hope the 'or whatever' translates to 'sign a contract with'

After doing a background check and making sure you are a match of course.

Well, this may be nitpicking, but the agent doesn't "help get it published or whatever." The agent's job is to identify whether or not s/he thinks your novel will sell, possibly suggest some revisions, and then send it out to editors s/he thinks would be interested. Like Cyia said, there's no telling how long this will take or even if the novel will sell.

From what i gather it depends on what time slot is available for publishers. that may take a year or two. sometimes a bit longer.