LITERARY AGENT FICTION
Literary agents specialize, and though one listed as 'literary agent fiction' looks a good bet for your novel, you need to check credentials and preferencies. Some names appearing under literary agent fiction will handle fiction of all sorts, some only popular fiction, etc.
Literary agents find a good home for your work, charging a commission commonly around 15% of your royalties. He or she opens the door to the larger publishing houses, and brings these advantages:
has personal contacts with publishers and editorial staff
stays abreast of corporate policies and publishing ideas
knows who's looking for what and when
negotiates advances and publishing contracts to your advantage
secures subsidiary and overseas publishing rights
finds you new areas of writing
suggests how you could better develop your talent
The Proposal
Well before you get a literary agent — and even if you don't get one at all — you will need what is called a 'proposal'. This is a lengthy document that tells the publisher why it makes commercial sense to bring out your book.
Equally important, it spells out exactly how and why you will be successful should you opt to self-publish your work.
The proposal typically consists of:
Overview: 2 page general summary.
Market: 3 page description of the potential readership.
Competition: Similar books already published: how yours compares.
Authors: 1 page bio. of your skills and successes.
Chapter by Chapter Summary: Up to 20 page sample if fiction, otherwise brief outlines.
Delivery: 3-sentence clincher.
2. Next you identify twenty possible agents from the resources below, and send them a query letter. Enclose SAE. The letter has this structure:
Teaser: Attention-grabbing sentence.
Expand the Idea: 3-4 sentences of the substance of the book.
Bio: 3-4 sentences on why you're best to write it.
Closer: Why you like this agent.
3. Agents respond by telephone if interested and by email / letter if not. Do some research on agents who respond favourably, and send them your proposal. If possible, choose the most successful.
4. Sign the Contract. The agent sends a contract, which is generally a simple 2-page document. It's generally wise to check that representation isn't for more than a year, and that you'll not be charged for the service (postage and telephone are usually acceptable, but not the agent's time). The agent looks for a publisher and negotiates your advance. You're through: you just have to write or complete the book.
Literary Agent Fiction: Finding
The above holds for nonfiction, and fiction to some extent. It does not hold for poetry. Unless you're a literary celebrity in some other walk of life, you'll be lucky to find an agent. Agents live off commissions, and poetry books rarely make money.
Novelists, however — though it's still tough — should consult one or more of the following:
Literary Agents. Writers Beware article on what to check.
Mockingbird. Articles on agents, and listings.
Bloomsbury.com. US and UK agents plus advice.
Writers Net. Excellent database of agents, plus articles.
Fiction Addict. Extensive agent listings, but no details.
Unpublished Indian Author's Page. Many useful references.
Association of Author's Agents. Check credentials of UK agents here.
Association of Author's Representatives. Check US agents here.
Preditors and Editors. Just about everything on agent and publisher search strategies.
Fiction Writers Resource Guide. Excellent listings.
Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2006. Information online and free.
First Writer. Searchable database of 600 agents. $3.99. Also publishers, etc.
Publishing Game. Various publications and services, including online proposal writer.
Literary, Foreign, and Subsidiary Rights Agents. HTML list of 375 agents. $30.
2006 Guide to Literary Agents. Now in its 15th year. $16.50
Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents 2006. Who they are! What they want! How to win them over! $19.77.
Write the Perfect Book Proposal. 10 That Sold and Why, 2nd Edition. $10.85
The Insider's Guide to Getting an Agent.Practitioner's view of the business.
How to Write a Book Proposal. More for non-fiction writers, but useful. $10.87.
Do You Need an Agent?
Many publishing houses will not consider direct submissions, and use literary agents as a filtering mechanism — understandably when submissions can run to dozens every day. Unfortunately, it's often as difficult to get an agent as it is to find a publisher directly. Many fiction writers try first to get an agent, then turn to submitting directly to publishers, and finally end up self-publishing. Some obvious suggestions: