“A good agent can identify which projects are right for which editors . . . “
~~Robert Lee Brewer
39 Literary Agents Seeking Clients
The world of publishing is constantly changing. Many author-published writers are making good money and don’t even need an agent. There are lots of programs available that will tell you how to do that, but buy them at your own risk.
If you don’t feel you are the best salesperson for your own work, you might want to find an agent. I consulted my trusted friend, Google, to find the most recently published information about finding an agent, and I am sharing the highlights below along with links to the complete articles.
From “19 New Literary Agents Seeking Clients (in 2019)”
https://thejohnfox.com/2018/03/19-new-literary-agents-seeking-clients/
6 Crucial Steps to Remember:
- Before you leap to drafting 19 new queries be certain you’ve done your homework: Is the manuscript up to professionally edited standards? Do you know what category your book falls into? Do you know the sort of agency you would want to represent your work? And are your goals for your manuscript realistic?
- When you submit your query to an agent, be a professional first, and a personality second.
- Keep the query brief.
- A touch of personality is professional. You should aim to highlight those qualities that make you interesting, but such qualities can be limited to your publication history, education, or professional qualifications that relate to your manuscript.
- Know that a “No” is in your best interests just as much as a “Yes.” This can be tough.
- Agents offer career representation. If the agent doesn’t take to your work, she’s saved you valuable time by rejecting you.
Admittedly I learned nothing new here, but reinforcement is important. These things matter! If you’d like to know more, click on the link.
New Agents Seeking Clients – Writer’s Digest
The 19 agents listed on the page were looking for people to represent in 2019.
You might also be interested in “20 Literary Agents Actively Seeking Writers and Their Writing”
By: Robert Lee Brewer | May 28, 2019
In either case these agents may be filled up by the first of July—but they might not be.
Finally, if you think finding an agent takes too much effort consider the following:
HERE’S WHAT A GOOD LITERARY AGENT DOES
https://nybookeditors.com/2018/10/tips-for-finding-a-literary-agent/
So, you’ve heard that you need a literary agent, but you’re not exactly sure why it’s necessary. Is it really worth all that hassle to get a literary agent?
Yes. If you want to get the attention of a traditional publishing house, you absolutely need a literary agent. Here’s what a literary agent can do for you:
- Give you access to traditional publishers who don’t accept unsolicited queries
- Provide insight on what sells and what doesn’t (based on their experience in the publishing industry)
- Connect you with the right person— They don’t just know the right publishers to go to with your book, they also know the right people to speak to
- Negotiate the best deal possible with the publisher because it’s in the agent’s best interest to do so
- Help you understand the terms of your contract
- Help you find more publishing opportunities in the future
