|
davey32
|
|
|
|
When people were querying agents, how much research do people do into the agents they're querying and if you had a wish list of who would be your ideal agent, who would it be (and why)?
Are all agents created equal?
|
|
benkelly
|
|
|
|
I did loads of research, identifying who had recent sales and in what genres to which publishers. Who do they have links with. Who are their other authors? I looked through the Bookseller to see what was happening with who and if they were any absolute things to ignore. I tried to find who was actively looking to take on the work I produce. If I saw articles and trends in acquisitions, then I tailored my query and pitch letters. Telling them how I think I'd fit into the market. Then I spent a while looking at how to submit. Understanding guidelines. If I found an agent I wanted to approach and they didn't have a website or I wasn't sure they were actively looking, I queried by mail or email. Rarely did I send any material beyond the query. Why waste time sending in a manuscript if they are not after what I'm offering? Then I did a few Google searches to find out if writers had horror stories about these agents, or trace down mentions of them in other publications and websites. Good and bad. Time spent on good research is never time wasted. A scattergun approach of hitting every agent is.
"Suck it up, say thank you and move on."
|
|
datahog
|
|
|
|
Quote: davey32, Thursday, 17 Jul 2008 18:11When people were querying agents, how much research do people do into the agents they're querying and if you had a wish list of who would be your ideal agent, who would it be (and why)? Are all agents created equal? They most certainly aren't created equal. As mentioned already, do research. Do loads of it. Ideally, you'll want an agent who represents established, successful novelists in your genre; but they are in reality hard to come by. One strategy is to find a new, young hungry agent in a famous agency. That way you get the best of both worlds to some extent--someone who you can actually attract, and who is hungry for a sale, and may really work on your behalf, and yet whose agency is known amongst the publishers, with excellent advice and counsel just down the hallway. If you start out with a newer agency, then make it someone who used to work in publishing, because at least the contacts will be there. My agent, for example, though relatively new to the business of agenting, used to be an editor, and in fact, used to run a couple of imprints at a major house, so he has contacts out the ying-yang. (Not that they have helped him sell my first novel; it still hasn't sold despite assiduous efforts. Tough, tough business to crack, this one.)
This post was last edited by datahog, 17 Jul 2008, 20:56
|
|
weiden
|
|
|
|
Here is a link to an outstanding article on literary agents. It's written by an industry professional and is very revealing. http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2005/01/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about.aspIf you're looking to publish in the US, an excellent site to research agents is: http://agentquery.com
|
|
sasha m
|
|
|
|
There's a couple of good US sites warning against scams and dodgy agents/publishers such as Preditors & Editors and Writers Beware.
Does anyone know of a good UK eqivalent?
Find me at http://sashamansworth.blogspot.com/
|
|
richie_d
|
|
|
|
I don't know of any UK sites for literary agent scams, and I'm not sure that the problem is as big in the UK as it is in the US. Here is a link to the Association of Authors' Agents:- Association of Authors' AgentsThe list of agents on the site is reputable, though if an agent is not listed, it doesn't mean that said agent is not reputable. Of course, some writers believe all agents to be scam artists, so always keep your wits about you. Edit: Sasham-- I said your user name aloud and transformed into Captain Marvel. Cool!
This post was last edited by richie_d, 02 Aug 2008, 15:42
|
|
sasha m
|
|
|
|
Quote: richie_d, Saturday, 2 Aug 2008 15:41I don't know of any UK sites for literary agent scams, and I'm not sure that the problem is as big in the UK as it is in the US. Here is a link to the Association of Authors' Agents:- Association of Authors' AgentsThe list of agents on the site is reputable, though if an agent is not listed, it doesn't mean that said agent is not reputable. Of course, some writers believe all agents to be scam artists, so always keep your wits about you. Edit: Sasham-- I said your user name aloud and transformed into Captain Marvel. Cool! Thanks Richie I've had a wee look a the AAA already and found it most helpful. I'll be sending out my MS this autumn, although listening to all those doom-mongers out there I don't know why I'm bothering. I t seems to be a bit of a closed shop, with the unpublished having no chance!!
|
|
richie_d
|
|
|
|
Don't believe the doom-mongers. It's just an excuse to come up with a reason why they haven't been published. If you're good enough, and persistent enough, you will get published. Look at the examples of people from this site. Edit: Your opening scene is really good. Definitely a page turner. If th rest is up to scratch, I'd say you are in with more than a good chance!
This post was last edited by richie_d, 03 Aug 2008, 11:09
|
|
sasha m
|
|
|
|
Quote: richie_d, Sunday, 3 Aug 2008 11:06Don't believe the doom-mongers. It's just an excuse to come up with a reason why they haven't been published. If you're good enough, and persistent enough, you will get published. Look at the examples of people from this site. Edit: Your opening scene is really good. Definitely a page turner. If th rest is up to scratch, I'd say you are in with more than a good chance! Thanks for your encouragement. You are right about not listening to doom mongers. I guess if I'd listened to the careers adviser at age 14 I'd never have become a journalist - but a bank clerk! There's a lesson in that!
|
|
richie_d
|
|
|
|
The last time I checked you were doing well in the charts so your work is obviously appreciated. And we can be a tough bunch to please here at YWO.
|
Ideal Agent?
17 Jul 2008, 18:11
