how do i go about getting a literary agent?

Question

I am thinking about looking for publishers for my unfinished novel that I am writing. A lot of people are saying that I need to get a literary agent... Is there any way I can do without one? If not how do I go about getting one?

Answer 1

For 99% of people who have never been published before, you need to have your novel completed before anyone will look at it. For non-fiction you can sell the book before it's written. If you've been successfully published before, a publisher might buy it before it's complete. But this isn't going to happen for someone who's never been published before, regardless of what your friend says. And, you don't have to listen to me or anyone else here, go ahead and send off an incomplete manuscript. Let your friend advise you. I'm not sure why you're asking us if you're friend is more reliable since she's already published. and it sounds like your friend has a non-fiction book (non-fiction is handled differently than fiction) or your friend has been published before and that helped her get the contract without having the book complete. If either situation is true for your friend, then you as an unpublished writer who's writing fiction cannot use her as an example as her situation is different than yours.



No, you don't need a literary agent to be published. Chances are, though, that you're only going to be published by a small publisher (some of which are very well respected). Or maybe you can attend a writers' seminar or convention where you can pitch directly to editors and get lucky enough to find an editor at a big punishing house in which to pitch (they might invite you to submit your work within a limited window) and you won't need an agent - if they make you an offer, you can get an agent or a publishing lawyer before you sign anything to help negotiate your contract.



And, you talk about your friend being published, wouldn't she be the best person to ask about all of this? Wouldn't she know how to get an agent and where/how to look for one? I know I certainly wouldn't value the opinion of complete strangers over a friend who is already published and apparently knows the business, whereas you know absolutely nothing about us strangers and whether or not we're giving you bad information.

Answer 2

Lyla, you've got the cart in front of the horse. Before you seek an agent, you need a finished and polished manuscript. Even if it's quite clean, your first draft isn't it, and an unfinished novel isn't even close.



So hunker down and complete the work first.



Do you need an agent when it's ready to launch a sales effort? Maybe. The big-name publishers do not deal directly with authors, so you'd need an agent for them to consider your work. Small presses often deal with the authors themselves--but they do not distribute and sell as many books as the big guys.



Ask here again when you have a finished manuscript and I'll slap up my standard about how to find an agent, which I update now and then.

Answer 3

Publishing your novel without an Literary Agent is known as self publishing.It can rather expensive, and also dangerous. I have known many people who have been scammed out of their money by false publishing companies.



The use of a literary agent is known as Traditional publishing. Traditional publishing will not cost you. Be careful when searching for agent there are scams in this route also. No Agent will charge you to read your book. If you run across one who does, run away because they are not who they say they are.



When looking for an agent I recommend AgentQuery.com, it's a reliable website the gives you value information on Traditional publishing, also there are thousands of Agents you can choose from. When you go to the website, look at the top of the page and you will see a box titled Writers with links in it. Click on every link and read through it, because provides you will information you will need to know whenl trying to publish your book.

Answer 4

One thing I know is that you need to finish your book first. But for the most part unless you go with self publishing you can't do without one. Most publishers won't even look at your work if it's unsolicited, meaning you don't have an agent.

Answer 5

i do not at the moment have an agent, yet after I finished the persist with as a lot as my debut novel i visit apply my modern publishing deal as a capture to chase some certain brokers, purely because my modern writer's concentration is on my novel, at the same time as i'm extra interested in my lengthy-time period writing occupation. i become fortunate to get a deal with out an agent, yet now that I easily have a publishing deal, i'm immediately extra appealing to human beings contained in the corporation, so in entire, i guidance getting an agent. of direction, all it really is nonsense besides. i am going to purely have a lengthy-time period occupation if i can end the damn e book, and the way it really is going purely now, it can't in any respect ensue . . .

Answer 6

Just to be absolutely clear, you DO NOT NEED an agent. You can work directly with a publisher. That is not the same as self-publishing.

Answer 7

A literary agent will have phone numbers and emails of people who can publish your book so unless you have that already, I suggest you find an agent. Try www.agentquery.com

Answer 8

Generally you go to their website and it will have instructions on the type of thing they will accept from new authors. You can do it without one, but it's NOT recommended.