Get an Agent, Part III

I’ve talked about good agents. I’ve talked about bad agents. But, how on earth does anyone find an agent?

Good question.

There’s a general feeling in the writing world that “you can’t get published without and agent, and you can’t get an agent unless you’ve been published.” Well, obviously the second part isn’t true – I was able to secure an agent without having ever been published. But I do believe it’s getting increasingly more difficult to catch the attention of a bigger publishing house – either in the Christian market or the secular market – without an agent.

I honestly believe writers’ conferences are the best place to meet agents who are willing to take on new clients. That’s where I mine. Agents go to writers’ conferences hoping to find new talent. Most conferences offer you a chance to sit down for 10 or 15 minutes with members of the faculty: agents, editors, authors, and publishers. If you do get one of these meetings, make certain you have done your research. Does this agent represent the kind of books you write? What are his submission requirements? Does she want a proposal with sample chapters or simply a query letter?

While you’re at the conference, you will also have the opportunity to speak with published authors. Ask them which agents they’d recommend, and why. And ask them which agents they’d avoid.

If you have the opportunity to attend a writers’ conference, do it. I know sometimes the cost can be prohibitive, but many offer scholarships; just contact the conference director and ask.

If you can’t make it to a writer’s conference, there’s always the Christian Writers’ Market and its secular counterpart, The Writer’s Market, depending on your personal bent. You can even check the Guide to Literary Agents. All of these are excellent resources for finding agents who are looking for new clients, and who represent writers of your genre.