Things To Think About When Looking For An Agent

Finding a Literary Agent is by no means an easy task, but if you are able to land one it could mean your book has serious potential and is far more likely to be published.

Let’s face it, most writer’s would love to be accepted by an agent, however, this doesn't mean we should do so blindly or at any cost.

When looking for an agent it’s important to consider certain factors to ensure not only that you stand the best chance of them accepting you, but also that you get the best agent for your work.

Here are some things to think about:

Do you fully comprehend your works potential?

Understanding what your work is worth is so important. If you have fully researched your genre and your audience you should be able to say, with confidence, who your book will appeal to, who will buy it, and why they will love it. This will not only help you with your pitch, but will also ensure that you find an agent who understands this too.

Do you really need an agent?

Sometimes an agent really isn’t necessary. So it’s important to consider why you think you want one in the first place. Some publishers won’t accept manuscripts that aren’t submitted through agents, however many do. If you cut out the middle man and do a deal with a publisher directly you are more likely to receive more royalties. So think carefully before you submit your work to agents, because having one unnecessarily could actually hinder rather than help your book.

Do they specialise in your genre?

Make sure you land yourself an agent with experience in your genre. They more they specialise in your area, the better. They’ll know who to contact and be more passionate about your book too.

What is their track record for book sales?

A bad agent is as useless as no agent at all. Make sure you find out how successful they have been in the past before you sign anything. Otherwise you could get stuck, bound to an agent who never actually sells your work.

Do they communicate well?

Good communication is key. If an agent responds positively to your submission, from then on they should be happy to communicate with you, respond to you promptly and be happy to answer any questions you have. If they aren’t, this could hint at potential problems further down the line.

How enthusiastic are they about your work?

Perhaps most importantly you want your agent to be super enthusiastic and excited about your work. If they feel as though your work has truly got lots of potential they are so much more likely to work as hard as they can trying to make it a success.

Being confident of the answers to these questions will help ensure you find an agent that is compatible with your needs, that will do a great job for you and that loves your work as much as you do!

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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