Robert Lee Brewer - Guide to Literary Agents

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

penguinrandomhouse.com

Copyright 2021 by Writers Digest Books

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

Ebook ISBN 9780593332108

Book design by Alexis Estoye, adapted for ebook by Cora Wigen

This book contains information gathered at the time of publication from third parties, including telephone numbers, Internet addresses, and other contact information. Neither the publisher nor the author assume any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

pid_prh_5.8.0_8903771_c0_r2

Welcome to the latest edition of Guide to Literary Agents. As usual, its loaded with listings for literary agents and writers conferences. It also has articles on crafting queries, book proposals, and the perfect synopsis.

But this edition of Guide to Literary Agents also features an updated 20 Literary Agents Actively Seeking Writers, which includes what each agent is seeking and how to contact them. Its a great place to start in your search for an agent who may be receptive to your project.

Plus, Ive collected one piece of advice from 40 different authors, including debut authors, bestselling authors, and in a variety of genres for both fiction and nonfiction. After all, this guide to literary agents and book publishing is meant to help fiction and nonfiction authors alike.

Until next we meet, keep writing and marketing what you write.

Robert Lee Brewer

Senior Content Editor

Guide to Literary Agents

Searching for a literary agent can be overwhelming, whether youve just finished your first book or you have several publishing credits on your rsum. More than likely, youre eager to start pursuing agents and anxious to see your name on the spine of a book. But before you go directly to the listings in this book, take time to familiarize yourself with the way agents work and how you should approach them. By doing so, you will be more prepared for your search and ultimately save yourself effort and unnecessary angst.

This book begins with feature articles organized into three sections: Getting Started, Contacting Agents, and The Writers Toolbox. These articles explain how to prepare for representation, offer strategies for contacting agents, and arm you with vital tools in your journey. You may want to start by reading through each one and then refer back to relevant articles during each stage of your search.

These personal accounts from just-published authors offer information and inspiration for any writer hoping to find representation.

A literary agent will present your work directly to editors or producers. Its the agents job to get her clients work published or sold, and to negotiate a fair contract. In the Literary Agents listings section, we list each agents contact information and explain both what type of work the agency represents and how to submit your work for consideration.

For face-to-face contact, many writers prefer to meet agents at conferences. By doing so, writers can assess an agents personality, attend workshops, and have the chance to get more feedback on their work than they get by mailing or e-mailing submissions and waiting for a response. The Writers Conferences section lists conferences agents and/or editors attend. In many cases, private consultations are available, and agents attend with the hope of finding new clients to represent.

Aside from the articles and listings, this book offers a section of Resources. If you come across a term with which you arent familiar, check out the Resources section for a quick explanation. Also, note the gray tabs along the edge of each page. The tabs identify each section so they are easier to flip to as you conduct your search.

Finallyand perhaps most importantlythere are the Indexes in the back of the book. These can serve as an incredibly helpful way to start your search because they categorize the listings according to different criteria. For example, you can look for literary agents according to their specialties (fiction/nonfiction genres).

Listings in Guide to Literary Agents were originally compiled from detailed questionnaires and information provided by agents. However, the publishing industry is constantly in flux, and agencies change frequently. We rely on our readers for information about their dealings with agents, as well as changes in policies or fees that differ from what has been reported to the editor of this book. Write to the editor (Guide to Literary Agents, F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Cincinnati, OH 45242) or e-mail () if you have new information, questions, or problems dealing with the agencies listed.

Listings are published free of charge and are not advertisements. Although the information is as accurate as possible, the listings are not endorsements or guarantees by the editor or publisher of Guide to Literary Agents. If you feel you have not been treated fairly by an agent or representative listed in Guide to Literary Agents, we advise you to take the following steps:

• First try to contact the agency. Sometimes one letter or e-mail can clear up the matter. Politely relate your concern.

• Document all your correspondence with the agency. When you write to us with a complaint, provide the name of your manuscript, the date of your first contact with the agency, and the nature of your subsequent correspondence.

• We will keep your letter on file and attempt to contact the agency. The number, frequency, and severity of complaints will be considered when we decide whether or not to delete an agencys listing from the next edition.