Advice on finding a literary agent.

[Robert]

Hey everybody, I have a question for the authors out there.

I'm a new author and just got my first book published. It was through a small publishing company, which I have no issues with. They were and are a great company. But, like all authors, I want to expand and grow in the field. My writing at this point is a part time gig, but I want to make this dream a full time thing. Publishing with small independent publishers doesn't seem to provide the income needed to go full time.

So, I'm looking for a literary agent so I can get my work to bigger publishers. I have no clue where to start. Can anybody give me some advice on where to start, where to look, etc.

[J.]

Robert,
One place to start is look at a copy of Writer's Digest's Market guide. It has literary agents listed there. Also you can Google literary agents and find websites with all kinds of lists. I wish I could remember the association/group of ethical agents but you'll probably find it if you look hard enough.
Good luck.

[Fred]

Robert,
I'm in the same boat. After AuthorHouse lists my book for more than I can sell it for ($20.00) and then takes a bit over 60%, and Amazon takes its cut, by the time the book is sold, I get $2.10. What's wrong with this picture? Would I also do better with an agent, or do I listen to several other publishers' sales people who (honestly) tell me what I already know. AuthorHouse has killed my chances of selling my book with its inflated pricing, but who can say that another small publisher can do better than I would do promoting it on my own. (I first have to sell 57 books already received that contain errors, 36% of which were AH's fault. Luckily, I have had a request from one historical society for my book because three chapters feature a home town hero. And, I can contact one major book store and three libraries in my own county in Pennsylvania. Finally, because of Covid 19, AH still has another part or two to fulfill before my contract with them is fulfilled on their part. In the meantime, anyone ordering "War Babies in a Small Town' is getting an almost-error free copy, and when my 57 are gone, I will find another publisher who has promised a cheaper publishing and selling price PLUS a greater return on sales. When I get all of this out of the way, then I can return to work on my second book!

[Luna]

Agent Query and Query Tracker -- I also agree Writers Digest is an excellent resource. BUT before you send query letters learn how to write a good query letter. There are articles, books, newsletter, blogs and writing coaches who teach how to write a query letter. Always have the letter proof read and always address the agent by name. They have submission pages on all literary web sites. Make sure you write to correct agent who is looking for the genre you are writing. I kept an excel spread sheet with the agency, agent, date submitted and date rejected!

[Mike]

Robert wrote: "Hey everybody, I have a question for the authors out there.

I'm a new author and just got my first book published. It was through a small publishing company, which I have no issues with. They were..."
Try Duotrope. Their list of agents is updated weekly. It's not a free service - $50 annual - but the site has been a huge help in finding publishers for my short stories.