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Now that you've written that novel or work of non-fiction, your next step is to get it published. To do that, in most cases, you're going to need a literary agent who will go to bat for you by pitching your work to major publishing houses.
How do you get an Agent?
Start with completing your work. A literary agent will be turned off if you pitch a story idea (especially fiction and especially if you are a first time writer) without having completed the work. If they want to read it, they want it as soon as possible and not six months to a year. Plus, how do you know you can complete a novel or complete this novel?
One of the best tools for finding an agent can be found in your local library or bookstore. There are several publications available that list agents, their addresses, requirements for submissions, and fields of interest. Make a list of ten agents you'd like to target and proceed with a query or proposal to each of them. If all ten reject the piece, make a new list of ten agents and start again with them.
Most agents will request a query letter. This is a letter that gives a brief explanation of the story, its genre and the word count. From this the agent will decide whether or not to contact you for more information. For samples of query letters, visit your local library or bookstore for books on the subject.
Sometimes agents will request that along with the query you submit a synopis and sample chapters. A synopsis is usually a one to two page overview of the story detailing the major plot points and characters.
Whatever the agent requests, submit it. Whatever the agent doesn't request, don't submit it. If you think by submitting the first five chapters of your novel that you'll position yourself to be get representation, you're wrong 99.9% of the time. If the agent wants more, they'll ask. So focus on making your query letter and synopsis as tantalizing and well-written as possible. These are your foot-in-the-door, business cards. Regardless of how well you did writing your novel, if the query and synopsis don't draw the agent's interest, your novel will never get read by them or published through them.
When writing your query letter, be sure to do the following:
1) Include the title of the story
2) In three paragraphs of copy explain the plot of your novel. This should really sizzle so the agent will want to contact you for sample chapters.
3) Mention the genre (mainstream, horror, romance, etc.)
4) Give the approximate word count
5) Include other work you've done and had published or as a first time writer, I recommend mentioning that you've moved on to begin work on another piece. Include a few lines of this story but not so much that it takes away from the story you're pitching to them.
6) Be sure to use quality paper and include a SASE so they can mail you a rejection notice. (Most agents call if they want to receive sample chapters.)
Due to the enormous amount of queries that an agent receives, it's advised to submit only a one to two page query unless it is listed in the publication that they want more. Give them just enough that they want more!
Rejection
You'll get it and then you'll get more and then you'll get even more. Most agents are flooded with query letters from writers both new and published. Their rejection letters, especially in response to your query, say nothing negative about your writing. Keep trying and keep sharpening your query so that it leaves the agent wanting more.
And remember, every great writer has seen his or her share of rejection. There have been famous writers whose novels have been rejected hundreds of times but their persistence and their belief in their work eventually led to their success.
Other Ways to Get a Literary Agent
1) Writer's Conferences
There are writer's conferences across the country providing opportunities for writers to meet with agents about their work. These are great networking opportunities and provide a solid sounding board for the quality of work, areas that need improvement, and agent interest.
2) Recommendation
If you have a friend or acquaintance who is currently represented by an agent ask them to read your work to see if they would recommend you to their agent. Most agents prefer to receive queries and sample chapters from writers recommended to them by people they currently represent.
3) Go Online
The Internet offers a variety of sites that provide literary agent addresses and websites. Browse these
sites and review who they represent and their submission guidelines. Some even accept email queries.
4) Find a Hook.
Read Publisher's Weekly and Variety or visit their websites and follow the latest news on book deals. If you come across an agent who recently accepted a novel or sold the rights of a novel to a major movie studio, check for similarities between that piece of work and yours. If there is a correlation, send that agent a query letter and mention the strengths and similarities of your work.
5) Take part in writing contests
Agents often are involved in writing contests or might take interest in the work of a writer chosen as the winner of a contest. Even if the prize money is low, being able to cite that you won an award for your writing will enhance your query letter to agents.
6) Don't give up
Whatever you do, don't give up. Keep writing and keep searching for ways to get published and opportunities to get your work in front of literary agents who will consider representing you. It may take time, but your persistence will eventually pay off.
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