Agent Snagging 101

1. Identifying agents who are right for you

• Make a list of reputable agents who represent work like yours. The best way to identify working agents in your field is to search the SCBWI websites. Check out the faculty blurbs for the agents at the national conferences in New York and LA. Then look into each regional chapter’s events to find additional agents. Generally, these will be well respected agents or agents who are eager to build their client base.
• Meet and talk with agents at regional and national conferences if at all possible.
• Verify that the agent is a member of AAR.
• Any New York Times Best Selling Author will tell you that it’s far better to have no agent than to have a bad agent.
  

2. Before you submit

• Get your best work ready. Run your manuscript through a critique group. Do not take your mother/sister/husband/wife’s glowing review at face value. When you manage to get your work onto an agent’s desk, it needs to be your best.
• Learn how to draft a query and perfect yours. The query may be the only thing the agent reads. Don’t blow it.
• Don’t pay reading fees. Agents will review your work without charging you. If you feel that you need a book doctor, shop around for the best deals.

3. Submitting

• Submit to only a handful of agents at a time. If you’re lucky, some of the agents will give you comments. You can then incorporate their recommendations (if you agree with them) before submitting to others.
• Follow the submission guidelines on the agent’s website. Some prefer email queries, and others require snail mail. Send only what they request.
• The great wait
• If you haven’t received a response in six months, follow up with an email or phone call. Be professional and indicate that you are just touching base on your submission.
• Work on your next manuscript to make the time pass faster. By completing a second project, you double your chances of getting published.

4. The response

• Don’t be discouraged by rejection. Successful agents have a large stable of writers and generally only take on a new client if they are blown away by the work. Keep trying.
• Revise if the agent recommends revisions. They expect you to resubmit. They’ve spent time on your project, and may offer representation when you resend. If you don’t like the recommended changes, take some time and carefully consider your options.

5. Regroup

• Start on the next five on your list.
• Feel free to submit your next project to the same agent that rejected your current manuscript. Your next project may be just what the agent has been waiting for. Do not send them two or three works at one time.
• The offer of representation
• The right agent for you will be enthusiastic about your work almost to the point of gushing.
• He or she will be your champion among the editors of New York. It is essential that your agent believes in you and your work.
• Carefully review the contract for an offer of representation. You may love your agent now, but you want to be sure you can break with your agent after a reasonable amount of time if necessary.
• Establish from the beginning what you expect from each other. The agent should ask where you see your career going and how many books you can write in a year.