Finding and securing literary representation in an unstable publishing market can be as terrifying as it sounds. Get an agent? Yikes! New writers are expected to either cold query, pony up hundreds of dollars for writer’s conferences or otherwise scheme to get an in with an agent who probably lives thousands of miles away, receives piles of cold queries per day and has seen every scheme there is. How can you increase your chances of landing a good agent?

Writing Tip for Today: Agent hunting has a definite protocol. It’s a rule-laden system that tempts even shy writers to don an outrageous costume and deliver the query as a singing telegram. The rules may seem silly, even contradictory, but try to restrain yourself. In most cases, agents really are necessary to publish a novel, but remember, an agent should never require you to pay any fee up front before your book is sold. Here are some basic tips for novelists seeking representation on a debut (first novel):

• First, finish. Agents don’t want to get interested in your novel only to find out that it isn’t completed, much less revised. Do several revisions of the whole book and get feedback from volunteer readers before you start querying agents. Know what category your novel fits into, and be prepared to compare and contrast other books in the category.
• Do some research. At last, permission to research is granted! Look up agents who specialize in the type of novel you write. Make some lists–say an “A” list of the most prestigious or exclusive agencies, a “B” list for smaller, newer or “more hungry” agents.
• Set up a System. Can you afford to send out “cold” queries to 10-20 agents at a time? Are you targeting your dream agents first, then moving down to other alternatives? I have always begun with agents whose guidelines state they accept a work sample (say the first chapter) before trying agents who say “query only.” Be sure to keep track of the agent’s name & address, what you sent, when you sent it and their stated usual response time.
• Say NO to Gimmicks. Don’t try to bribe an agent with chocolate, scented paper or tickets to the World Series. Likewise, don’t try to bully an agent, saying they’ll be sorry if they don’t take you on, or brag about your novel to the point where you compare yourself to Stephen King. It’s been tried before. It didn’t work then, either.
• Be Patient. Never call an agent to find out if she received your submission, liked it or wants to see more. With email queries, it’s tempting to follow-up with these kinds of questions in email, but you’ll most likely irritate said agent if you keep bugging her. If an agent asks you for an “exclusive,” (meaning no one else can consider your work during a period of time) don’t agree to anything longer than 3 weeks. If you are writing other projects, you should be busy enough not to watch the mail box.
• Expect Rejections. You’re new to the game, and you can and should expect rejections. As you study an agent’s client list, see announcements of books that agent sells or other info, you’ll learn to write a better query letter and target more precisely.
• Face-to-Face is always best. If you can, opt for meeting with an agent in what’s called a pitch session. These are featured at writers’ conferences and are usually not included in the conference package. Sign-up early, pay your fee and you’ll get 10-20 minutes to tell the agent why they ought to be representing your book.
• Gain Experience. When you study query letter how-tos, you’ll notice a spot where you tell the agent about your publishing history. But wait! You don’t have any credits. While you are still in revisions or writing your next book, reserve some writing time for short pieces you could market. An essay or short story to your credit shows an agent your work is publishable. If you are unpublished when you are querying agents, never call attention to your unpublished state. Simply omit any reference to it and the agent will know. And try not to worry–a more experienced writer is preferred by agents, but every agent is always on the lookout for the Next Big Thing, no matter how green the writer.
• Think Positive! What if your book isn’t accepted by an agent? What should you do? Many avenues to publication exist, but the best and most satisfying, in my opinion, is traditional publishing, with an agent’s help. Depending on circumstances, self-publishing is becoming more popular–you get that publishing satisfaction. But beware. A published book is not the same as a distributed book. Many booksellers will not carry a book that isn’t distributed by one of the big companies. Listing on Amazon.com is fine, but how will the general reader locate your book among the millions Amazon lists? Sometimes, the best answer to a lack of agent representation is to go write another, better novel. By working on building a publishing resume, practicing writing skills and building your readership (AKA platform), your second (or third or fourth) book stands a much better chance of securing the agent of your dreams. Or at least getting an agent who can sell your work.