How Do You Hire A Literary Agent?
Many publishing houses won’t even glance at a proposal unless it has come in through an agent. Agents with valuable connections can distribute your work and have the know-how and experience to negotiate the best deal. They can also be a generous font of guidance and advice. But it’s essential to find a suitable match. Start your search by asking some writerly friends for references. Ask with whom they’re working and if they’re satisfied. Find books similar to ones you want to write and make note of the name of the literary agent who represented the author (they usually get thanked in the acknowledgments). Visit agency Web sites for information on genres they specialize in, clients they represent, preferred method of communication, and any guidelines for submissions. Check if you can send in a full manuscript. Most agents don’t read unsolicited manuscripts and many won’t read unsolicited proposals. Consider both large and small agencies. The bigger ones may have greater resources; the s
