How to Sign With a Literary Agent

If you're interested in publishing a book and gaining a market presence and income from it, you'll need a literary agent. They are the grease that keeps the oft-rusty wheels of publishing moving. Every day, they eat lunch or talk to editors and acquisition people in publishing houses all over the world, all the while pitching them on the new hot 'properties', as your manuscript will be called. Generally speaking, you need an agent (though there are literary lawyers and others out there who would disagree with me.) I've had four agents, some fine, one useless, and one downright criminal (though eminently likeable.) Here are some tips I can pass along that will help your search for this important part of your team. *Make sure you're selling something marketable. It could be you're the only person out there who wants to read about your Aunt Tillie's days as a pickle packer. Before you approach an agent, find out what problem your book solves and who it will appeal to. Research similar titles on Amazon.com and look for gaps in the marketplace. Go to bookstores and see what's hot (and what's not.) What's not is on the remainder shelf; what's hot is placed up front and center, with massive piles of the book in sight. Give an agent a good reason UP FRONT to get excited (before they even read your mss) *Make sure your book idea or manuscript is in top shape. There is no substitute for excellence