Guide to Literary Agents 2019: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published

by Robert Lee Brewer (Editor)

THE BEST RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR FINDING A LITERARY AGENT

No matter what you're writing--fiction or nonfiction, books for adults or children--you need a literary agent to get the best book deal possible from a traditional publisher. Guide to Literary Agents 2019 is your go-to resource for finding that literary agent and earning a contract from a reputable publisher. Along with listing information for more than 1,000 agents who represent writers and their books, the 28th edition of GLA includes:
A one-year subscription to the literary agent content on WritersMarket.com (NOTE: the subscription comes with the print version ONLY).
The key elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal.
Informative articles on crafting the perfect synopsis and detailing what agents are looking for in the ideal client--written by actual literary agents.
Plus, debut authors share their varied paths to finding success and their first book publications.
+Includes exclusive access to the webinar "Land the Right Agent for Your Writing Career" by GLA and Writer's Market editor Robert Lee Brewer

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

332 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Κωνσταντίνος Ζαχαράκης · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many guides out there. Obviously I haven't read all of them, but I feel kinda lucky that I was recommended this one. Clear guidelines on the process of committing your manuscript to agents as well as examples of query letters and tips for synopsis. The list of all the agencies and their preferable genres was a huuuuge help!

[Alison Quigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most comprehensive list of agents I've seen. Even though it's now a year out of date, the information contained within can still be checked off against internet searches to see if the agencies still exist. The winning feature is the agency genre categories at the end of the book. These entries will save you time trawling through the much larger, uncategorised agencies that don't invest in your chosen genre.

[Madeline · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's helpful as an aggregate book for literary agents but there were errors, so be sure to do your research online after going through the book. An agent was still listed as being a part of a certain agency, when it is well known (and would take little research to find out) that she started her own agency years ago. Based on how big this error was, I am sure there might be others.

Also, and this is a bit nitpicky but if someone names an agency after themselves, with their first and last name, because it is a business name it is the first letter of the business name that it should be listed, even if the first name. So the Sarah Freymann Agency would be under S, not F. The only way it would make sense to do it the other way would be if the book had them written as Freymann, Sarah Agency so that things are easier to find.

[S. Wigget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently reading means currently reading, not read, you stupid app.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read this cover to cover because I skipped the big section in the middle full of agencies NOT looking for unpublished authors. I don't know how useful the section on agents looking for new clients is going to be because I haven't queried any yet. I can say that most of the rest of the book has info on topics that I'm familiar with, but I did learn something new in each chapter. Some of the advice is for beginners, like the part that explains how to set up a Facebook account. Other parts may be sadly out of date, like how much focus is put on "Twitter," which stopped being cool when some idiotic egomaniac bought it and changed its name to "X." Learning more about the job of a publicists is helpful and advice on how not to piss off the people you want to help you is welcome. If it helps me get published, I'll give it a 5. Until then, it's a 3.

[E. Farris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, well, it's early 2025 and I was able to get this at my local library, the most recent print guide (not the Kindle) to lit agents they have. Four years old and outdated, but it gave me a push and some information - especially with sample query letters, which never seem to go out of style. God knows I love a real print book on actual paper rather than the online databases you can't attach post-it notes to. So we'll list this as a good place to start. And from here on out, I expect I'll have to succumb to the digital world and go online for current up-to-date info. But yes, this started me off right when I needed it.

[Lily Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed flipping through this book when I was considering Literary Agents. In the end, I decided to go the self-publishing route, and I couldn't be happier. But, I still like to look through this book every once in a while, because it still helps me to perfect my writing by reading tips and advice from agents. They are a reader after all.

Lily S. Thomas - Author of the Ice Age Alphas series

[Julian Cardona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable if you are a writer looking for agents. It works both as an agent directory and as a "textbook" that helps you build a professional approach. Highly recommended.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of very useful articles included. Definitely made a lot of notations and highlighted all over.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical. Does what it says on the box.

[Dearwassily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noticeable typos.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less I really liked it than I found it really helpful. Some helpful tips, a massive huge list of agents, agencies, and publishes, plus a year-long sub to the writer's market. I'm thrilled.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful!