Every literary agent and agency operates somewhat differently. Some agencies may specialize in building and managing their clients’ careers, while others concentrate on making individual books into blockbuster hits. But when it comes to choosing clients, they all follow a basically similar pattern. If you want to find an agent, you need to know how agents work.
Contacting an Agent
Most writers initially contact agents via e-mail. Agents like e-mail inquiries because they’re easy to answer. Most of the queries agents receive are about books they are not interested in handling, so being able to save time responding is critical. A declining number of holdouts prefer to receive query letters sent via postal mail, but they’re in the minority. Check each agent’s Web site to see how he or she prefers to be queried. Authors can also make initial contact with agents at conferences and other events. For information on writers’ conferences, see Writer’s Digest and ShawGuides.
Many agents won’t accept unsolicited telephone queries, and if you call, their screeners generally won’t put you through. If you do get through, most agents will still ask you to submit something in writing: a query letter, a book proposal, or your entire manuscript, if it’s written. Agents want written submissions so they can get a sense of writers’ ability to express themselves clearly. Written submissions also let agents see how well writers are organized and their skill in presenting themselves and their ideas.
Think Like an Agent
If you want to find an agent, ask yourself this simple question: Where do agents go? To be more specific, what conferences do they attend? Where do they speak? What organizations do they belong to? Although we certainly aren’t suggesting that you follow them around, if you start thinking like agents think, it will improve your chances of being at the right place at the right time to meet the right agent. Research the literary and publishing scene in your area. See if, when, and where writers’ associations, publishers’ groups, and literary clubs meet. Are any nearby bookstores, libraries, or cafés conducting interesting programs or hosting book signings? Are local colleges or universities offering lecture series featuring writers, agents, or publishers? Agents get a lot of their new clients through referrals from their existing clients and their publishing contacts, so you may want to seek out those people too. Investigate whether any well-known authors are teaching courses that you could attend in your area, even if it’s just to sit in. Go where book people congregate and make contacts.
[...] Most of the literary advice requests I get are on how to get an agent (write a query letter, show up at some of those darn conferences and exude charm, smarts and likability). Big Bad Books gives more detailed advice. [...]