Though it seems less true nowadays, I’ve discovered, agents favor writers who are published—and publishers like writers who have an agent. So where do you start? I’m told writers conferences are a good way to make an impression on an agent and get them to look at your work. However, in attempting to secure an agent, I have not found conferences to be beneficial, especially considering the cost in time and money.
I’m not saying conferences are a waste of time. The classes are usually quite good. Another selling point is that you can network with other writers. I’ve gone to several conferences. Personally, I usually felt lost in the big crowd.
Here is how connecting with an agent there works: You make an appointment in advance of the conference with agents who will be there. You can only see so many, maybe three. After you pay for the conference fee and hotel and travel, you have to pay a fee to see the agents. You submit a specific word count in advance. You’re allotted a time for a one-on-one with the agent, usually twenty to thirty minutes.
The alternative is to submit to agencies, one at a time. This requires a considerable investment of time. You have to look up each agency’s requirements. The good thing is, most now require digital submissions instead of hard copies.
Until 2019, the yearly Writers Market had a great listing of agents and publishers accepting submissions in all genres. The 100th Edition, published in 2021, is still being sold, presumably by Penguin Random House, which purchased it. The digital subscription to the Writers Market was constantly updated. Sadly, it is no more. There are, however, innumerable databases of publishers, editors, and literary agents available on the internet.
Many of them do not require a purchase to access. Some are available through a subscription. Poets & Writers Magazine has a database. The Directory of Literary Agents has specialized lists: Christian, Black, Boutique publishers and agents, and those who specialize in just one genre. Writer’s Digest features agents on their website with no subscription required. Wherever you find agents, many reject unsolicited manuscripts and want a query (a pitch letter) first. Read what each agent requires and make sure your query letter and submission follow it exactly.
A $40 subscription to Duotrope is another way to find publishers and agents. It also helps you track your submissions. Ack! Did I already submit something to this agent? You can use your own Excel sheet, but since you’re subscribing to Duotrope, you may as well use them to keep track of who’s had the pleasure of reading your masterpiece!
Another avenue: Try to find books that are like yours and see who their agents are. Sometimes in the front or back, writers give thanks to their agents. If you find a publication similar to yours on Amazon, you can just Google the specific publisher, agent, or publication (say, a magazine) and find out what they’re looking for and what their requirements are.
Regarding those conferences: They’re nice, but I’m learning a great deal from The Writers Alliances of Gainesville (WAG) at just $36 a year. And I don’t have to give WAG ten percent of anything I sell. I can network with other writers in my same genre in a small group or pod. I learn so much from them, from their experience, their successes and their (temporary) failures. The general meetings are free and usually have speakers who address a topic of interest to writers.
A writer of my acquaintance who has a runaway best-seller told my pod that since her success, agents were very interested in securing a contract to represent her. “Why should I settle for less?” she asked. “My royalties as a self-published writer are much higher. “
I’d love to hear others’ experiences and suggestions for securing (or not) an agent or publisher. Contact the WAG blog editor and share your story!
Jenny Dearinger
Great article, Bonnie!
I have not had any luck getting an agent. I have found agents to be extremely subjective in the selection of who they will represent.
Are their rejections a reflection on my writing? Maybe.
Maybe my writing is really good and that agent just skimmed my submission and didn’t get it, or they didn’t appreciate my sense of humor. Maybe they had a headache or a fight with their spouse the day the read it and that influenced their decision. Who knows!
The optomist in me won’t let me quit. I’m sure there is an agent somewhere over the rainbow that will enjoy my style.
You just have to believe in yourself!
Bonnie Ogle
Well, I certainly enjoy your sense of humor! Their loss!
Cynthia Bertelsen
Good article, Bonnie.
It’s all so subjective, both writing and art – think of how van Gogh sold none of his artwork during his lifetime (maybe one, but I am not sure).
I need to share a little anecdote here.
My niece writes novels about modern women caught in the grip of the usual trope of domestic flare-ups and disputes. Twelve years ago, she managed to land an agent in NYC who works for a very reputable agency. The name of the agency escapes me at the moment. Her excitement lasted for several months. She thought she had it made. An agent! But the point in even mentioning this is that no publishers have shown interest in even one of her six or seven novels. None, even though she’s still listed as an agency client. She now writes plays and has had one produced in Madison, WI. She won’t consider self-publishing and looks down on the whole process.
Sure, your work might be terrific. But will it sell? Trad publishers look at the bottom line.
Cynthia
Bonnie Ogle
Wow, Cynthia, thanks for lumping me in the slush pile with Van Gogh! Maybe in a couple hundred years, I’ll be selling like hotcakes for millions!
Penny Church -Pupke
Very interesting and informative post. I’m nowhere close to needing an agent, but I will print this out for future reference.
Thanks, Bonnie.
Susie Baxter
Thanks for an interesting blog post, Bonnie, and congratulations on being an RPLA finalist! Yep. Conferences can be expensive, but all sessions I’ve attended have been worth the cost, from the Rawlings Writing the Region and the Anhinga conferences here in Gainesville to the Cape Cod Writers Conference in Boston to the FWA conference in the Orlando area. I have met with agents at all, and though I have yet to secure an agent, each has given me invaluable feedback on my sample manuscript. The problem I have at conferences is that I’ll want to attend a lecture on dialog and one on humor and find that they are scheduled at the same time.
Bonnie Ogle
Thanks, Susie. Wow, that many conferences and still no agent! Their loss! I’m going to look into some of those conferences. Never heard of the Anhinga, even though it’s local.
Susie Baxter
Unfortunately, the Gainesville conferences ceased several years ago. The Anhinga was held at the same location where our 2024 SSBF will be, although I think it was a Doubletree then. No matter, it’s a nice venue for a conference or a festival.