Now that you know what you’re going to say to an agent when you finally get the opportunity, how do you know what agent is right for your project? It is believed that there are over 500 literary agents accessible online or through traditional mail. Each of these offices has built a career on certain types of books that seem to sell. When you choose the wrong agent for your material, usually the reason for rejection is perfectly clear: “Sorry, this doesn’t sound right for me.”
It is up to you to research the agents and find out what exactly they are looking for. Finding literary agents is much easier now than it has been in the past, since you can find addresses and contact information with the few clicks of a button. The first step in narrowing down your search is to create a catalogue of agent names so you can keep track of whom you have contacted and why. You will notice right away that many agents specialize in a certain genre. They may like chick-lit, quirky stories, mainstream, horror, thrillers or science fiction books. It’s even more helpful when agents provide names of published books they enjoyed or have even represented in the past.
How do agents decide on a particular genre? It could be what they personally read or what is trendy in the overall industry. Be aware that the majority of agents are interested in mainstream works. Try to avoid proposing a book that has no clear market or that is too experimental for most readers to follow. No matter how much agents insist that they are looking for something new or groundbreaking, the truth is, they are looking for something close to mainstream that they can sell. (Even if it is in a niche market)
It’s equally important to follow the procedures that the agent provides when making contact. Most agents prefer not to talk on the phone, especially to new authors whom they have just been introduced to. The best way to contact an agent is by letter or email, if they answer emails. The prevalence of electronic submissions has actually discouraged many editors from reviewing emails at all. Some agents will consider emails and if they do, they only want a query letter that explains the idea in detail. It is rare that an agent will look at an attached script if the query doesn’t sound promising—especially if you attach a script without permission.
The average waiting time for submissions is about two months, though some agents will request more time. You can’t rush this process, so be patient. If the time period passes and you still haven’t heard back, you can send a one-page letter inquiring about the status of your submission. Why risk it? Reiterate your idea in the second inquiry just to make sure that your submission wasn’t lost in the mail.
Last but certainly not least, be nice to every contact you make. Don’t whine, complain or plot evil against the agents who reject your proposal. You can always try again with an even better story. Maybe by that point, you will be ready for an agent to publish your book.
