landing an agent advice for an A.H. noob...

[paganangel]

any?
i readily admit to having NO idea what i'm doing.
i know i don't hang here, but i hope nobody holds it against me.

 

[Aurora Black]

any?
i readily admit to having NO idea what i'm doing.
i know i don't hang here, but i hope nobody holds it against me.

Hi there.

What are you trying to do, exactly?

 

[Aurora Black]

Hi there.

What are you trying to do, exactly?

*looks at thread title* D'oh!

Have you considered getting a copy of Writer's Market? They've got all kinds of articles and listings of literary agencies, magazines and more.

 

[paganangel]

*looks at thread title* D'oh!

Have you considered getting a copy of Writer's Market? They've got all kinds of articles and listings of literary agencies, magazines and more.

i've perused it, but have yet to buy a copy. once the manuscript is shopable i'll get the most recent issue.

i'm just wondering how best to sell myself.

 

[Aurora Black]

i've perused it, but have yet to buy a copy. once the manuscript is shopable i'll get the most recent issue.

i'm just wondering how best to sell myself.

To be honest, I haven't explored the agent thing yet. But there are other AH people who have really done their homework on this subject. I'm sure they'll help you out.

 

[angelicminx]

any?
i readily admit to having NO idea what i'm doing.
i know i don't hang here, but i hope nobody holds it against me.

I don't have an agent, nor do I know how to get one (not good enough yet to need one ), but I wanted to wish you a hearty welcome to the AH.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Upfront warning: I do not have an agent. I have not begun shopping for an agent. I haven't even fully researched it yet.

I have however heard some things. First thing to consider is the type of writing you are trying to get published. If the work is short fiction, you can usually submit it to magazines and short story contests without an editor or agent doing the selling. This is generally the best option because acceptances get your name out there in the writing community and you can point to those published stories when shopping for an agent and also when looking for a publisher.

For going straight to novel, agents can vary. It is usually best to have a solid concept or even better a completed full novel work which you've had edited by writing inclined friends or family. Experiences and methods of acquiring have varied. Some like Bradbury submitted constantly to an editor/agent until he was taken on. My old professors were often hooked up by fellow professors so if you know someone with an agent that you might be able to piggyback on there's always that route. Some just went out and submitted it to listed agents and someone picked it up.


The trick of course at that point is to not end up getting screwed by an unscrupulous agent. There are those out there that are essentially thieves playing on the desire to get published. Check how much of your perentage he's asking for and whether or not there's any shady "direct fees" that aren't affected by whether he does his job or not. Also make sure they are well-listed and don't have a bad reputation. Do your research and question any suspicious costs. If you have a university in your area, you might want to stop by and ask some of the professors in the creative writing department what they're agent situation is and whether or not any proposed deals sound fair. If you give them the gist of the type of stories you write they may also be able to reccomend one to apply to. Remember to be respectful and mindful of their time when doing this.

Overall good luck.

 

[CharleyH]

I have never heard of anyone having an agent for a short story, but certainly have for those authors of novella or novel length works. Lucifer gives some good advice, so I will merely follow it up with this terrific resource for all those seeking to sell.

Erotic Readers and Writers Association

There are also many hidden markets as well.

Much luck,
CH

 

[paganangel]

thanx kids. i'm working on the great american novel right now.
i'll be happy if it turns out to be the not-so-sucky american novel, by the time i'm done.

 

[paganangel]

ba da bump bump