How do you find a good agent?

Rancher1 · Sat Feb 27, 2010 3:59 pm

Does anyone know how to find a good agent?

I have been writing now for awhile and have been doing very well however it has gotten to the point where I need an agent.

I was just hoping that maybe someone on here can help me with the next step.

Thank you.

Rancher1

nova · Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:54 am

Hello Rancher,

Getting an agent? Google Literary Agents and start looking for a fit. Some of them have blogs.

My experience? I can not get one. Why? It depends on what you write. I write fiction. Fiction, for a first time author, is not a promising field. It is said there are more people writing fiction than reading it.

I have a book out, as of right now, it is ranked 9,245 in Fiction in Amazon. I still can not get an agent.

If you are not writing fiction, then you have a better chance. Diet books are always good.

I wish you the best.

Carolyn Sue Morris · Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:55 am

Hello Rancher..
I, too, have been looking into agaents. It's amazing what you can find. I have checked into one. Was accepted, then discovered "Strongly Not Reccommended" on a website called P&E Literary Agents. I haven't completed the list, but I think it's very helpful in weeding out the bad. It was suggested to me by Dr Paradise, a wonderful author himself. You might check there first. I have written 2 non-fiction books, poetry, and am working on a Childrens Book Series. So my range is a little too out there. I wish you well. What do you genre do you write?

Rancher1 · Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:17 am

Thanks for the tips.

I write a broad range of things from non fiction to fiction. I currently have a book out that is doing great that is a murder/mystery/romance, it is the start of a series of seven.

I also have a book that is a collection of true short stories that is really getting a great following with another coming out anyday.

I am ten books into writing a children series. I am just waiting on illustrations to go to press.

I also have twenty seven other books in different stages of being finished on my plate.

So I understand the broad range Carolyn.

Carolyn Sue Morris · Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:18 am

Rancher1
You are a busy, busy, man. I have to admire all the avenues of your work. I would be overwhelmed at the amount of genre's listed above. One thing would never be was bored. Good luck with all your projects. I will check back from time to time to see your progress.

stahrwe · Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:43 am

To find a good agent, you have to be a successful author. There are exceptions, but they are rare. Doing well is a good thing but until you have a title which sells 4,000 copies you will probably not attract an agent's attention. That being said the book publishing industry in changing dramatically and there is less and less that an agent does that you can't do yourself.

If you are selling well on Amazon and others you should be doing well unless you are paying through the nose to a POD. You are doing all the work and they are taking all of the money. If you are, you should know that there are alternatives.

Carolyn Sue Morris · Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:12 am

Hi stahrwe,
I have to agree about them wanting you to be successful before they will talk to you. If I was already successful I definately wouldn't need them. I have also noticed that they do expect you to more & more of your own marketing, or at least to already have a reader base. May as well do it yourself. In a perfect world, there would be a traditional publisher that would be willing to take a chance on someone new. Now there's a good fantasy. Of course I live in a dream world anyway. That's what I've been told.

Rancher1 · Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:10 am

Thanks everyone for your tips.

I was contacted by a companie that would like to market me. I am in the process of checking them out.

I will let you know what the outcome is.

Puneet Chadha · Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:38 am

Internet is the best solution from where you can find out your good agent.

Gao Yu Qing · Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:50 pm

Good luck. I find it interesting to read the different views on here of agents after spending a lot of time researching them. Reading the agent websites they all seem to be interested in new authors-even ones new to the field. So tell me, what are you published authors doing to get yours in print? Self publishing? Or submitting to the publishers directly? As a FYI, I'd strongly reccomend you go with an agent that's a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives. They are licenced and have all signed an ethical contract.
http://aaronline.org

Rancher1 · Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:04 pm

I just topped over four-four thousand copies of my first book sold. Wow! What a great feeling! I have also found that I am doing pretty darn good without an agent. I have a book being made into a movie and a clothing line inspired by one of my books.
I checked out the agent that was interested and found that they don't offer much more then i am doing on my own. Thank you for all your help, everyone.

GreggMattson · Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:01 pm

Nice numbers. What is the name of your book that is doing so well? Is it in eBook form?

GreggMattson · Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:59 pm

Never mind. I figured it out myself. Congratulations.

Rancher1 · Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:08 am

Sorry, I didn't get back to you Gregg. I don't get on here but maybe once a week. I was gone teaching a book marketing seminar. I am glad you found it.

I am with a small press and do a lot of the sales myself. It is tough but very rewarding.

Hope you have a great day!

dernst · Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:15 pm

I have an agent who has worked her butt off for me even though she hasn't been able to sell my books - which is why I self-published. I found her on the internet of course. I was very specific about who I sent my letters to - I only targeted agents who represented my genre, were accepting new autors, and who asked for a sample of my novel. I figured even if my query wasn't perfect, I had a chance of grabbing someone with a sample of my work, and I was right. It's a hard time for new authors in the traditional publishing field - best of luck.

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