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Friday, September 17, 2010

Looking for an Agent—Thoughts and Resources

IMS00173 Looking for an agent can be a really overwhelming process.

When I was first looking for an agent, that there wasn’t enough information out there online.

Now it seems like there’s almost too much information—but it’s scattered around. So I thought I’d run a post with at least some of the information in the same spot.

Below I’ve listed websites that can help you narrow down your agent search, helpful posts on writing query letters, popular agent blogs, and agents on Twitter.

Good luck!

Some links to get you started: An agent on how to write a query How to know if you’re ready to query Should you query a first novel? Common mistakes in querying and a suggested template 8 tips on querying from the Queryfest workshop at RWA The difference between querying an editor and querying an agent How *not* to query Querying—where to start, tips for writing a query letter Are you ready to query? A checklist Motif in query letters Theme in query letters 6 tips for querying How long is too long to search for an agent? Debunking querying myths How to Ensure 75% of Agents Will Request Your Material (Writer’s Digest)

More Help in Finding an Agent:

Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who take advantage of aspiring writers. I’d recommend researching agents on Agent Query and checking the ones you find against Preditors and Editors and Writers Beware to make sure there aren’t any complaints against the agency.

Agent Query—A searchable database of agents. Association of Authors’ Representatives—Helpful way to vet your agent. Query Tracker—Helps you track your queries and has a blog with useful tips.

Some of the Best Agent Blogs Nathan Bransford Curtis Brown

Lucienne Diver The Knight Agency

Jessica Faust BookEnds

Rachelle Gardner WordServe Literary Agency

Mary Kole Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Chip MacGregor MacGregor Literary

Kristin Nelson Nelson Literary Agency

Janet Reid, and here FinePrint Literary Management

Also check out Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents blog

Literary Agents on Twitter (from the AgentQuery site)

@ColleenLindsay / Colleen Lindsay @ChrisRichman / Chris Richman @EpsteinLiterary/ Kate Epstein @BookEndsJessica / Jessica Faust @BookEndsKim / Kim Lionetti @michellebrower/ Michelle Brower @hroot / holly root @KnightAgency / The Knight Agency @ellenp / ellen papus @literaticat / jennifer laughran @cbfine / Celeste Fine @ByrdLeavell3 / Byrd Leavell @mattwagner/ Matt Wagner @jasonashlock / Jason Allen Ashlock @chipmacgregor @JanetKGrant / Janet Kobobel Grant @tomwillkens / Tom Willkens @jodimeadows / Jodi Meadows (agent assistant) @foundrymedia @thecroceagency / The Croce Agency @DanielLiterary / Greg Daniel @laurieabkemeier / Laurie Abkemeier @TracyMarchini (agent assistant) @rgradinger/Rebecca Gradinger @dianafox/ Diana Fox @jennyrae / Jenny Rae Rappaport @NathanBransford / Nathan Bransford @Janet_Reid/Janet Reid @MichaelBourret / Michael Bourret @DeidreKnight @cjlitagency / Johnson Literary @carenjla / Caren Estesen @elanaroth / Elana Roth @ElaineSpencer / Elaine Spencer @BostonBookGirl / Lauren E. MacLeod @DaphneUn / Kate Schafer Testerman @KellyMortimer / Kelly Mortimer @barrygoldblatt / Barry Goldblatt @jennybent / Jenny Bent @twliterary / ted weinstein @wendylawton / Wendy Lawton @MarleneStringer / Marlene Stringer @dsvetcov / Danielle Svetcov @craigkayser / Craig Kayser @movabletypenyc / Meredith Dawson @melflashman / melissa flashman @scottwaxman @JeffeyG / Jeff Gerecke @kate_mckean @jdystel / Jane Dystel @MiriamGoderich / Miriam Goderich @jeffreymoores / Jeffrey Moores (has now become a literary consultant) @JillCorcoran / Jill Corcoran @mikalroy / Michael Stearns @Bookfan / Kae Tienstra @LucienneDiver / Lucienne Diver @StrothmanAgency / Strothman Agency @madamepsychosis / Kristen O'Toole (agent assistant) @skagency / Stuart Krichevsky @RachelleGardner / Rachelle Gardner @dbartoli / Diane Bartoli @JuliaLordLit / Julia @KHM126 / Kirsten Manges @hoffmanlit/ Scott Hoffman @NepheleTempest / Nephele Tempest @Ginger_Clark/ Ginger Clark @KAndersonbird / Kathleen Anderson @FoundryLiterary / Foundry Literary @jessregel / Jessica Regel @Emmanuelle15 / Emmanuelle Alspaugh @AliceTasman/ Alice Tasman @michellelit / Michelle Andelman @FolioLiterary / Folio Literary @WolfsonLiterary/Michelle Wolfson @MarkMcVeigh / Mark McVeigh @4writers/Jennifer DeChiara @daniellechiotti/ Danielle Chiotti @LukemanLiterary/ Noah Lukeman @Katelynn Lacopo/KatelynnLacop (literary assistant) @agentgame/ anonymous agent assistant