How Do I... Get a Literary Agent

Aside from whether Robert Dudley and Elizabeth I actually ‘swived’, this is probably the question I get asked the most often, and for good reason.

You have an idea. Maybe several. You have written some of that idea down. Maybe you have a whole manuscript. WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?

To enter the world of publishing, it is a Very Good Idea to have a literary agent. They are your protectors and advocates in what can be a very cut-throat industry. That’s not to say that editors are out to get you. Some of my best friends are editors. But they will low-ball when they can, and there are some bad apples out there who will happily take you for a ride. Publishing is confusing and opaque and a good agent can illuminate the intricacies of it for you, while making sure you get the deal you deserve.

Here is the asterisk*: self publishing is definitely an option. It is something I know very little about, but many people advocate strongly for it, and I can certainly see the benefits. It’s just not something I can speak to.

So, here are my tips for getting a literary agent:

1. Practice writing and get something (maybe several things) out there.

   For me, this was actually all it took. I was fortunate enough to write a feature in BBC History Magazine, my agent saw it, got in touch and I signed with him. That’s not always going to be the case of course; I got lucky, but showing that you can write in the way that you propose to in your book really strengthens your case, and gives you something you can show a prospective agent. It’s also just good practice (and sometimes pays!).

2. Research agents.

   This can seem daunting and difficult, but there’s a pretty straightforward way of doing it. Find the authors who are writing like you do, or who you aspire to write like. Search who represents them (that information should be accessible online). Are they accepting submissions? Are they in your country? If you have friends or contacts who write, get in touch, do they know that agent? What do their clients think of them? Some agents are very hands on and provide emotional support during the writing process. Others deal with their authors at much more of a business level just at negotiating time. What are your expectations and needs?
   NB: You will find that there are small, medium and large literary agencies out there. Small ones are sometimes just one or two people. Large agencies can involve several different departments, including film & TV, children’s, etc. There are pros and cons to each. I am with a large agency; that suits my needs very well, as I’ve had the opportunity to be represented at different points by 4 different agents within that agency. Some people prefer smaller.

3. Get in touch.

   Keep the email to the agent short and to the point. Who are you, what experience do you have, what is your idea, and is it sellable. It should be at most two or three paragraphs. This is when you link to published work (step 1!) and say something about how your writing fits within that agent’s portfolio (step 2!).
   TIP: If you have a contact who is working with that agent, use it. I’ve now had two friends sign with my agent (and my editor, as it turns out), because I introduced them. Importantly, I needed to see from my friends that they could write and had an idea. No writer will want to lose credit with their agent by bombarding them with submissions that lack substance or potential. You still need everything above, your contact might just be forwarding it on for you, which will ensure the agent actually sees it.

4. Accept rejection.

   A straight ‘no’ is a blessing. It means you move on to the next contact on your list. Some agents will string you along without signing or moving on your proposal. You need someone who will take action with your work right away. You want someone who is genuinely excited about your writing, just as you are. If they aren’t meeting that, then move on. Plenty more fish in the sea.

Like the king’s champions of old, my agent does battle on my behalf. He is also a frank-speaking councillor offering advice on my writing and a crafty diplomat in the conniving courts of publishers. Just as a ruler cannot do without these, I would not advise a writer embark on the path of traditional publishing without an agent.

Best of luck, and drop any questions below. I’ll write something on next steps soon.