How to Find an Agent

Searching for agent representation can be exciting, exhilarating, frustrating and downright demoralising. But if you decide you want an agent to help with your career, how do you go about this formidable search?

I can only relay my own process, and for US agents the first port of call is AgentQuery. This is a fantastic resource. Plug in either the name of the agent you wish to research or the genre your work falls under, and up pops the relevant information. It's a great way to start off your agent list.

For UK agents, Bloomsbury have a comprehensive list on their publisher's website. Unfortunately, they don't give in depth details as to what individual agents at any given agency are particularly interested in.

The Association of Authors' Agents (UK) promotes a code of professional practice, and their website has a listing of all member agents and other relevant information.

So once you have your list of agents and you've read through their websites (if available), check them out on Preditors & Editors. This informative site lets you check whether the agent has made sales and whether there are any red flags attached to the name. One major reason to run from an agent is if they charge upfront fees. Agents make their money by selling your work, not by charging you for the privilege of signing with them.

Another brilliant site is Absolute Write. This is a forum where people ask questions on individual agents or agencies and you can invariably find a thread on the agent you're researching (although this is more likely if the agent you're interested in is in the US).

Victoria Strauss and Ann Crispin have an excellent blog where they help new writers avoid scam agents and they've put together a Top Twenty Worst Agents List, which is well worth checking out.

And of course there is the incomparable Miss Snark, retired but not forgotten, whose entire archived blog is full of golden nuggets for writers at all stages of their career.

Good hunting! And here are the links: