The Agent Page
Useful Resources for Writers: The Agent Page
Looking for an agent?
Query Tracker
http://www.querytracker.net/
--Query Tracker can help you keep track of the queries you send out. It links you to agents’ sites on Agent Query and Publisher’s Marketplace, as well as gives you emails for the agent, links to agent websites, and information on how that agent wants their query. It also automatically does Yahoo and Google searches on the agent. Query Tracker can tell you if the agent is a dud via Predators and Editors, and can also tell you if your potential agent belongs to the Association of Author’s Representatives. Cooler features are added for a yearly subscription of $20.
Why should you find an agent? With the exception of two or three major publishers, most publishers no longer take non-agented manuscripts. Once you have an agent, you have more places to solicit your manuscript.
Can I publish without an agent? Sure. Small presses are good venues for that, as are magazines. Think of your agent as similar to a real estate broker. Once you start looking at a complicated contract with rights, film rights, percentages, you’ll want to call an agent.
Will any agent do? Nope. Not all agents are created equal. Never get an agent you have to pay. They will sell you work for you and get a percentage, but money should flow to the author.
