Looking for an Agent—Thoughts and Resources

IMS00173 Looking for an agent can be a really overwhelming process.

When I was first looking for an agent, that there wasn’t enough information out there online.

Now it seems like there’s almost too much information—but it’s scattered around. So I thought I’d run a post with at least some of the information in the same spot.

Below I’ve listed websites that can help you narrow down your agent search, helpful posts on writing query letters, popular agent blogs, and agents on Twitter.

Good luck!

Some links to get you started:
An agent on how to write a query
How to know if you’re ready to query
Should you query a first novel?
Common mistakes in querying and a suggested template
8 tips on querying from the Queryfest workshop at RWA
The difference between querying an editor and querying an agent
How *not* to query
Querying—where to start, tips for writing a query letter
Are you ready to query? A checklist
Motif in query letters
Theme in query letters
6 tips for querying
How long is too long to search for an agent?
Debunking querying myths
How to Ensure 75% of Agents Will Request Your Material (Writer’s Digest)

More Help in Finding an Agent:

Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who take advantage of aspiring writers. I’d recommend researching agents on Agent Query and checking the ones you find against Preditors and Editors and Writers Beware to make sure there aren’t any complaints against the agency.

Agent Query—A searchable database of agents.
Association of Authors’ Representatives—Helpful way to vet your agent.
Query Tracker—Helps you track your queries and has a blog with useful tips.

Some of the Best Agent Blogs
Nathan Bransford
Curtis Brown

Lucienne Diver
The Knight Agency

Jessica Faust
BookEnds

Rachelle Gardner
WordServe Literary Agency

Mary Kole
Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Chip MacGregor
MacGregor Literary

Kristin Nelson
Nelson Literary Agency

Janet Reid, and here
FinePrint Literary Management

Also check out Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents blog

Literary Agents on Twitter (from the AgentQuery site)

@ColleenLindsay / Colleen Lindsay
@ChrisRichman / Chris Richman
@EpsteinLiterary/ Kate Epstein
@BookEndsJessica / Jessica Faust
@BookEndsKim / Kim Lionetti
@michellebrower/ Michelle Brower
@hroot / holly root
@KnightAgency / The Knight Agency
@ellenp / ellen papus
@literaticat / jennifer laughran
@cbfine / Celeste Fine
@ByrdLeavell3 / Byrd Leavell
@mattwagner/ Matt Wagner
@jasonashlock / Jason Allen Ashlock
@chipmacgregor
@JanetKGrant / Janet Kobobel Grant
@tomwillkens / Tom Willkens
@jodimeadows / Jodi Meadows (agent assistant)
@foundrymedia
@thecroceagency / The Croce Agency
@DanielLiterary / Greg Daniel
@laurieabkemeier / Laurie Abkemeier
@TracyMarchini (agent assistant)
@rgradinger/Rebecca Gradinger
@dianafox/ Diana Fox
@jennyrae / Jenny Rae Rappaport
@NathanBransford / Nathan Bransford
@Janet_Reid/Janet Reid
@MichaelBourret / Michael Bourret
@DeidreKnight
@cjlitagency / Johnson Literary
@carenjla / Caren Estesen
@elanaroth / Elana Roth
@ElaineSpencer / Elaine Spencer
@BostonBookGirl / Lauren E. MacLeod
@DaphneUn / Kate Schafer Testerman
@KellyMortimer / Kelly Mortimer
@barrygoldblatt / Barry Goldblatt
@jennybent / Jenny Bent
@twliterary / ted weinstein
@wendylawton / Wendy Lawton
@MarleneStringer / Marlene Stringer
@dsvetcov / Danielle Svetcov
@craigkayser / Craig Kayser
@movabletypenyc / Meredith Dawson
@melflashman / melissa flashman
@scottwaxman
@JeffeyG / Jeff Gerecke
@kate_mckean
@jdystel / Jane Dystel
@MiriamGoderich / Miriam Goderich
@jeffreymoores / Jeffrey Moores (has now become a literary consultant)
@JillCorcoran / Jill Corcoran
@mikalroy / Michael Stearns
@Bookfan / Kae Tienstra
@LucienneDiver / Lucienne Diver
@StrothmanAgency / Strothman Agency
@madamepsychosis / Kristen O’Toole (agent assistant)
@skagency / Stuart Krichevsky
@RachelleGardner / Rachelle Gardner
@dbartoli / Diane Bartoli
@JuliaLordLit / Julia
@KHM126 / Kirsten Manges
@hoffmanlit/ Scott Hoffman
@NepheleTempest / Nephele Tempest
@Ginger_Clark/ Ginger Clark
@KAndersonbird / Kathleen Anderson
@FoundryLiterary / Foundry Literary
@jessregel / Jessica Regel
@Emmanuelle15 / Emmanuelle Alspaugh
@AliceTasman/ Alice Tasman
@michellelit / Michelle Andelman
@FolioLiterary / Folio Literary
@WolfsonLiterary/Michelle Wolfson
@MarkMcVeigh / Mark McVeigh
@4writers/Jennifer DeChiara
@daniellechiotti/ Danielle Chiotti
@LukemanLiterary/ Noah Lukeman
@Katelynn Lacopo/KatelynnLacop (literary assistant)
@agentgame/ anonymous agent assistant

Elizabeth Spann Craig

View posts by Elizabeth Spann Craig
Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series (as Riley Adams) and the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin and writes the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She also has a blog, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers. There she posts on the writing craft, finding inspiration in everyday life, and fitting writing into a busy schedule.

22 Comments

  1. Paul GreciSeptember 17, 2010

    Wow! What a comprehensive list. When I was querying, in addition to the sites you listed, I also used the Absolute Write Forums for cross referencing.

  2. coffeelvnmomSeptember 17, 2010

    Awesome list! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Margot KinbergSeptember 17, 2010

    Elizabeth – Wow! Thanks for this. You’re right that there is so much information out there that it can seem overwhelming. I should have known we could trust you to help us organize it.

  4. Alexandra CrocodileSeptember 17, 2010

    thanks so much for this! really helpful, am going to bookmark this post straight away!

  5. Jaleh DSeptember 17, 2010

    This post is now on my bookmarks. Linkalicious!

  6. Terry OdellSeptember 17, 2010

    For more reasons than you’ve posted here, you’re a tremendous resource for authors!

    If you can find one or two of an agent’s clients, ask if they’re satisfied. And YES on Preditors and Editors.

    Terry
    Terry’s Place
    Romance with a Twist–of Mystery

  7. Alex J. CavanaughSeptember 17, 2010

    Wow, I need to mark all those sites for when I’m ready!

  8. Jan MorrisonSeptember 17, 2010

    I’m so ready for this and have just been reading the WD on the same topic. Yay! thanks so much, my deario.

  9. Journaling WomanSeptember 17, 2010

    Thank you so much. I am marking this one to use in the future.

    Great list and so much work on your part. You’re the greatest.

    Teresa

  10. ~ Babs ~September 17, 2010

    Thank you Elizabeth I for one appreciate the list.

  11. Hart JohnsonSeptember 17, 2010

    What a fantastic list, Elizabeth! I am going to have to come back when off work and work all these people into my Twitter and blog roles!

  12. Laura MarcellaSeptember 17, 2010

    Excellent!!! Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!

  13. Clarissa DraperSeptember 17, 2010

    This is wonderful! Thank you.

    CD

  14. Stephen TrempSeptember 17, 2010

    Elizabeth, I can alwyas count on you to give a comprehensive list … I’m restarting my agent search this weekend, so great timing!

    Stephen Tremp

  15. Elizabeth Spann Craig/Riley AdamsSeptember 17, 2010

    Coffeelvnmom–You’re so welcome!

    Paul–That’s another really helpful site…thanks for bringing it up.

    Alexandra–Good luck with it!

    Jaleh–Thanks!

    Margot–It’s a lot to sort through sometimes, isn’t it?

    Alex–It’s a lot of info, I know.

    Jan–I’m excited that you’re ready to research it! You’ve done so well with your writing!

    Babs–You’re very welcome!

    Hart–It’s a lot of them! There are also other lists for book professionals on different sites (editors, reviewers, etc). I can send them to you, if you remind me.

    Laura–Hope it helps!

    Clarissa–You’re so welcome! :)

    Stephen–Good luck with it, Stephen!

    Terry–Thanks so much! And, good advice.

  16. L. Diane WolfeSeptember 17, 2010

    Some links to get you started…? Okay, now I don’t feel bad for overloading my publishing handout with links. LOL!

  17. Helen GingerSeptember 17, 2010

    Fabulous list, Elizabeth. Gonna check out the query advice and then the agents, see if any of them rep what I write and then follow their tweets.

  18. SuzanneSeptember 17, 2010

    Excellent post, Elizabeth.

    Here’s a word of caution to everyone about sites like Writer Beware and P&E. Yes, these sites provide a valuable resource to writers by pointing out questionable industry practices. However it appears that after a name is posted to one of the sites, it isn’t removed, even if the entity clears its reputation and petitions the site.

    We had a discussion on the Sisters in Crime list early this week about one such entity, Oak Tree Press. They went through some bad mojo c. 2002. They’re now a reputable small press. But they’re still listed as “Not Recommended,” with no information newer than 8 years old.

    Do your research.

    Suzanne Adair

  19. Terri TiffanySeptember 18, 2010

    Wow! Great list! Thank you!

  20. Elizabeth Spann Craig/Riley AdamsSeptember 18, 2010

    Journaling Woman–And I hope it works out great when the time comes!~

    Diane–I get carried away sometimes! LOL!

    Helen–Good luck! :)

    Suzanne–Sounds like they might err on the side of caution sometimes. Still…I’d probably be more careful than not in this business. Writers can be so naive (I’m definitely included in that statement) and the frauds are really out there.

  21. Julie MusilSeptember 21, 2010

    Wow, what a list! Thanks for this resource.

  22. C.A. MarshallSeptember 21, 2010

    Don’t forget to include stuff like the twitter hashtags #askagent #askintern #queries #querychat #queryfest and the new #interntips!

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