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mree β How to Get a Literary Agent
Published: 2006-03-02 19:38:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 34124; Favourites: 1455; Downloads: 6555
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Edit: Whoa. I *definitely* did not expect to see THIS in the daily favorites. O__O Thank you so much, everyone!
Part II!
Thanks for all of your wonderful replies to Part I [link] . It's always encouraging to know that there are so many aspiring writers out there. Sorry this image is so..........long......... O_O But really, this was the minimum amount of info I could put in about finding a literary agent. There are alot of books out there on this topic as well, so if you want to know more details, look for them online or at a bookstore. I hope this helps you out, if you are an aspiring novelist!Note: For poets, nonfiction, and short story writers, this tutorial is unfortunately not applicable..... The process of submission for those forms are vastly different!
Thanks again.
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Comments: 331
Yes yes yes, they do get very annoyed with that. Mainly it's a pain for them because it's harder for them to make copies and can get confusing when they want to take chunks home to read, or are trying to write notes in (and they bleed to the other side), etcetcetc. There are a whole host of reasons why this may annoy agents.....so I would strongly recommend printing it on 1 side only.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! These two tutorials are probably the most helpful writing assistance I've ever had! I don't have a book finished yet (surprise, surprise) but I've been dead curious about what happens after a book is finished. This really takes a weight off my shoulders, and also tells me I haven't been reading enough nonfiction to learn about this. Have you been published yet?
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Currently my first manuscript is sitting with Random House and Bantam Spectra, and my agent is waiting on responses.......I've turned my efforts onto my second manuscript, though, and hopefully this one will get a faster bite.
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Foremost, congratulations on getting a manuscript so far! I hope turning your efforts toward the second manuscript will help your sanity (the waiting must be killer!) and earn you a faster bite, too.
The tutorial did help. Thank you again! And thanks for taking the time to read my comment, and to reply! It means a lot, so thank you very much! 
good luck!
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I have a question:
about how many times did you revise your story before you sent it in?
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Oh goodness, my first manuscript went through 2 big revisions (i.e. I entirely rewrote it the first time, and then rewrote a third of the second version). Then it went through a third minor revision where I added in small paragraphs here and there.
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These two tutorials are great! They are really helpful, since I had no idea it was such a jungle. I do have a few questions though, there were some parts I wasn't sure what you meant, so I'm hoping you would want to take a few minutes and see if you could clear them up for me. I'd be very grateful.
When you said to send out the first three chapters "double-spaced", what exactly did you mean by double-spaced? Is that when there is one blank row inbetween every row, or when you have a blank row inbetween every parapgraph? (I hope that word is what I mean.. I'm from Sweden, so I might say something, believing it's something it's not) And also, if you have a blank row inbetween every row, how will they know when you want it to become a new parapgraph? Another blank row?
You said that the full manuscript you send is about 300-500 pages (also double-spaced), in which page size is that? A4?
I also have some questions about what comes after getting a literary agent, and getting your first novel published. Do you sign a contract with that agent? And how much influence do you have over that contract (if you for example wish to publish only one book, or publish books in another genre (can you then go to another agent or will you agent handle that as well), and can you negotiate the terms of that contract, and to what extent)? Is the contract formed after the individual author or is it basically "this is the contract, these are the terms. take it or leave it."?
I'm asking this because I have this problem with writing, that if I tell someone the plot I will basically hit an author's block and eventually abandon it, and I also find it very hard to "write on command", so I can't write because someone else is telling me to write or because I'm obliged to write, so I'm afraid that if I get far enough to get a novel published I will get a contract that will say "write two more books within the next three years" or something like that.
Wow, this turned out to be a little bit more than I expected. You don't have to answer all my questions, but I would really appreciate it if you did.
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1) Double-spaced means one blank row in between every row. 
2) My full manuscript's pages are 8.5x11" regular white sheets of paper.
3) Usually an agent will give you a contract to sign. I prefer working with agents who do not use contracts, because then if something goes wrong with your relationship, you are not bound to them and can leave immediately. My agent and I just agreed to work together. I think that also shows that the agent has faith in you and trusts you. As a first novelist, I wouldn't worry too much about publishing a 2nd book in a different genre. You will not have much power over that, and even if you go ahead and do it, your publisher will not be happy with it. It's hard to build a career that way when you are hopping around in genres.
If you do get a first book published, chances are that you are going to have to learn how to follow a publisher's deadlines in producing more books. Most authors do indeed get publishing contracts for 3 books, and if you can't produce those 3 books within the deadlines they give you, they have the power to null your contract. It's just something that career novelists have to get used to.
Hope that helped!
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Yes, it really did! Thank you so much!
One of my teachers suggested I should go for a carreer as an author, so I'm looking into my options for the future right now, but I'm just so divided I don't really know what to do.
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Well, almost all authors have a day job as well--and until you build up a solid audience with your 3rd or 4th book or something, you probably will not be earning enough to support yourself entirely on writing. So I would suggest that you still strive to get a day job so that you will have steady income, but do your novel-writing in your spare time. This is what I do. It'd be great if I could just live off of money made from writing books, but I definitely would not put all my eggs into the author career basket right from the get-go.
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Yeah, I know. You'd have to be pretty successful if you could make a living out of writing right away, and while I wouldn't mind it, I'm perfectly happy just being an author "part-time", since I'm having such a hard time deciding on any paths for the future.
And thanks!
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this just made my day!
(and possibly the rest of my life).
thank you so much for this,
it will help me tremendously.
i'm about a year away from finishing my novel;
which seems like seconds considering how long
i've actually been working on it.
thanks again, i'll adding this to keep it closeby.
-wendy
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Thanks again for this incredibly informative, detailed tutorial on the publishing process. Most of this I had no knowledge of. Thank you for writing this out for everyone!
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score^^ this is perfect...I'm working on a books now...hehe silly me I would have done the things I shouldn't have when Ifinish with it and try to get it published >< *laughs* so erm yeah....nice idea by the way^^
-Leafykins
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What happens if more than one agent likes your story? Should you send it to all of them or choose just one of them?
Thank you for making these tutorials! Us aspiring writers need all the help we can get.
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Until you actually sign with an agent, just send all of them the story until one of them accepts you. (The chances of more than one accepting you is a very rare--but of course exciting--thing.
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I *just* stumbled upon this when showing your gallery to my sister. It was very inspiring; it gave me hope. I've been struggling with the fact that my one dream is to get published, yet my family is fairly well convinced such a career will have me basically living in a cardboard box. I'm not naΓ―ve, but I think that advice like this can really make the difference so thank you *so* much for posting these two pieces!
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Your a doll for taking the time to explain the process for all of our hungry eyes. This is extremely helpful, and I will take advantage of it in the future. I am assuming you are published or in the process of being published? I would love to know the name of the book when it is avaliable, I am sure it will be wonderful. <3
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Thanks, I'm glad you found it helpful! I currently am represented by literary agent Donald Maass, who is shopping around my fantasy novel The Glass Sonata. Otherwise, I'm working on its prequel. Thanks again!
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Wow - I can not thank you enough for writing this! This is so fantastic - I'm really encouraged, now. I wrote a novel a few months ago and I've been thinking about publishing it, but it always seemed so daunting. This makes more realistic - it's tough, yes, but I see now that it's possible. Thank you so much for writing this and giving me the motivation to get me started on my dream!
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ok. this tutorial is probably really old, but i've been considering getting my current book published. It has a prologue. You said that if you are considered by a literary agent, they would want you to send the first three chapters. does the prologue count as a chapter? do you just send the prologue and the first two chapters? or do you send the prologue and the first three chapters?
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If the prologue takes place during the same time as your first chapter (and not set, like, 100 years in the past/future) AND features your main character, then yes, include your prologue. Otherwise, send your first 3 chapters. I've also heard from many agents that they don't care either way. Send them what you think will sell your book to them.
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Just what I needed!
Thnak you for making this
Mel xXx
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I'll store this away for future reference- thanx!
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Thank you very much for writing this! I'll be coming back to this soon enough.
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This is amazing! I can't believe you actually made this -- it's incredible. You've inspired me to get back on the horse, and to continue with my novel. Definate favorite.
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Omg!!! Thank you so much for these tutorials! I have had a finished book for the past year, and NO ONE has given the right information. Thank you so much for these tutorials, because now i can finally try to get my book published!!!
thank you!
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...I love you. This is the easiest-to-understand explanation of the process I've ever come across. Not that I have a finished book... or even a partially finished book... but I've got at least two dozen starts, and one of them has to go somewhere someday. -le sigh- My attention span... it kills me dead.
Anyhow, thank you for your lovely tutorial, I will be looking for your book the next time I'm in the library (I have no monies to buy with, or I would. But since I'm paid in hypothetical money that I never see... it's a little tough. I don't think stores accept hypothetical money).
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Thank you so much for writing this. I've been speculating over how things are done for ages. Next stop, finsh book, find agent ^^
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God, thank you! I'm getting ready to publish my first novel and have felt SO overwhelmed. Rest assured that you have helped at least one person out there
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This series of tutorials is very informative. I had no idea that agents were such a necessity before this. Thank you so much for making this!
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Very nice and although I have ideas to write with I just can't seem to original ideas that don't deal with X-men. Seeing as I doubt that would be good and writing a 100+ pages seems really hard to do to me anyway. As I wouldn't know when to stop and start a new chapter. Another thing is that I can't seem to write more than half a page before getting tired of it. >.< Any advice on that? Plus I'm a slow typer and writer. >_>
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Another wonderful, not to mention useful tutorial. I found this one to be even more informative than the last.
I have one small question. During prolonged waits [in all phases], does it hurt to contact the agent once in a while [maybe every two to three months] to check on your status? I know when job searching, contacting potential employers shows initiative and genuine interest in the job and can often help you get a job, but I'm not sure if an agent would take a potential client seriously if a writer were to contact them about their status.
Anyway, thanks again for making these tutorials available. Not immediately, but I do believe this will be very helpful in the future.
Great job!
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Thanks, I'm so glad you found it helpful!
Most agents will state somewhere on their page or their agent listing in whatever book, about the amount of time you should wait before following up on your submission. It doesn't hurt to contact the agent as long as you wait an appropriate amount of time. 2-3 months is too soon, in my opinion, to ask about a full manuscript submission. Here are some average times I've noticed for responses:
1) Queries: If an agent hasn't replied to your query letter after 2 months, *do not* follow up on it. Some agents, unfortunately, don't respond if they are rejecting the query. Simply move on to another more responsive agent. You don't want to work with someone who treats queries like that, anyway.
2) Sample chapters: If an agent has your sample chapters for longer than 3 months, I'd say it's safe to send them a polite email (never ever EVER call an agent--it ticks most of them off unless you're their client or an editor 
3) Full manuscript: If an agent has your full manuscript for longer than 4 months, feel free to send them a polite email about its status.
I hope that helps!
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It does help. 
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What about Self-publishing or vanity press? One guy would have me get my book done, but it WOULD cost ME. lol But Vanity press....are preditors..any ideas on these subjects. ^-^ nice tutorial. ALSO try the BBB (Better Business Bureuo) *I can't spell that word LOL* sorry. BUR..o lol
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From what I know, I would highly NOT recomment self-publishing or vanity press IF you are hoping to establish yourself as an author. NY publishers do not look kindly on self-published books, unfortunately....sometimes it even works against you if you're trying to sell a NY publisher a manuscript and you list a self-published book as a publishing credential. Vanity presses are good for books that you only want to see yourself, or that you want to give to a few specific people, etc. 99.9% of vanity press books are of poor quality, but a lot of people think it might be a shortcut to getting officially published by a big publisher. I don't really trust vanity presses either, as a good number of them are shady. 
Good luck with your book!
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Hmm.............well what if YOU own it? What about Beatris Potter? Her books were made cuz she was a woman and noone published books to woman. She payed for it herself. Thanks though.
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Well, there are exceptions to every rule; Beatrice Potter and John Grisham and Chris Paolini are 3 that I can think of.
The problem with self-publishing is that it is extremely hard for self-published books to sell enough copies. A self-publisher does not have the distribution power of a big publisher. It's like the difference between hand-selling a movie you made as opposed to having Warner Bros release your movie. Big newspapers and magazines do not review self-published books, and many bookstores don't stock self-published books. If you are looking to make writing a *career*, I don't recommend self-publishing. It's the much harder route, trust me. It's easier to succeed by approaching big publishers directly. However, if you are looking to self-publish because you want complete control over every aspect of the book's appearance, distribution, marketing, etcetc, then self-publishing will work for the book. I'm just saying that the exceptions of self-publishing don't mean that it is easy to succeed with a self-published book. The odds will be more in your favor if you try to find a big publisher.
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Well.. the 'horrors' I heard from publishing is once you sign their contract---they OWN your work! And you are just another peice of work on a pile.
I read an article hear about how famous published works were re-tittled and the author's name changed and their work was sitting in piles in Canada.
Can you imagine that? Stephin King's work in the Trash can? So...you never know.
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I never got the chance to post a comment here or on the other one - but these are definitely helpful. I recently graduated college - and am attempting to figure out where to go next with my writing.
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Thanks, I'm so glad you found them helpful!
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Oh my goodness. I cannot thank you enough for making this. I'm a creative writing major, working towards my Bachelor's, and this tutorial has given me more helpful information than any of my professors have given me in the last three years. I haven't been working on any novels yet, but goodness knows, this will help me when I do. ^.^ Thank you so much.
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