In this video, I tackle one of the most common questions aspiring authors face: “How do I find a literary agent?”
I share three possible avenues to finding the perfect agent for you and some practical strategies to help you identify agents who are the right fit for your genre and style.
Finding a literary agent is often about persistence and alignment, as illustrated by T.J. Newman’s inspiring journey to publication. Her story is a testament to the importance of not giving up, even after dozens of rejections.
Hello, Jane Cleland here. “How do I find a literary agent? I know my genre. I know I don’t pay a reading fee. I know that I only query agents who are open to submissions. Where do I find them?” Well, several suggestions.
Number one, go to conferences that have pitch opportunities. You’ll get good at pitching, and you’ll get feedback right on the spot from agents about how to improve your pitch. Whether you’re querying the right people? Is it sharp enough? Is it—are the stakes high enough? Is the protagonist relatable? These are all the elements agents look for.
Second idea, when you read a book in your genre that you love, go to the acknowledgements page. Most authors, uh, thank their agents. Well, here’s what you know: that this agent represents authors in the genre you liked, and you share the taste because you liked the book. Be sure and mention how much you like the book when you query the agent. Go to their website, see if they’re accepting submissions.
Next idea is to consult guides like Jeff Herman’s Insider Guide to Publishing. It gets edited and re-released periodically; it should be in every library. Make sure you look for an agent who’s looking for you. I hope this tip had value. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you found your literary agent or stumbling blocks you’ve run into in finding one.
Remember, T. J. Newman, best-selling author of Falling, Drowning, Worst Case Scenario, she queried something like 40, 41 agents. They all said no, didn’t hear from some. It was the 41st or 42nd one who said, “Yeah, I get it. I want this,” and the rest is history. We have to be persistent because it’s an alignment issue. You got to find someone who’s looking for you.
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