Agent Search 101
                                      by Robin Searle

It may happen when you've finished your first book or your fifth, but at some point in
your writing career you'll have a gut feeling that "this" is the one.  After editing and
polishing, the time comes for what many writers consider the toughest aspect of this
business – marketing your book to agents.

Where do you start?  According to NYT best selling author Allison Brennan, it all
begins with research.  Lots of it.  Brennan first looked for agents who were interested
in romantic suspense or who represented authors she felt wrote in a similar tone to
her.  "I prioritized them into the 'A' list—top agents who had a solid list, recent sales,
and either a bestselling author on their list or with a larger agency who had bestselling
authors.  And the 'B' list—agents with a good reputation who had recent sales but
might be with a smaller agency, or a new agent with an established agency."  

Brennan recommends two websites to be used during preliminary research:  Predators
and Editors at http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/ and Agent Query at http:
//www.agentquery.com/.  Both sites provide information that can alert you to
unscrupulous agents or those with complaints against them.  She also searched the
Internet, Publishers Weekly, and other trade magazine for any interviews or articles by
agents she was interested in.  She ended up with ten A list and ten B list agents to
target.

Another excellent way to find an agent is through personal recommendations.  That's
why networking, both online and at conferences, is so important.  Lori Stacy, who
writes historical romance as Lori Dillon, landed an agent when a published author
friend recommended her agent take a look at Stacy's manuscript.  The agent happened
to be one of Stacy's top choices based on his reputation and the fact that many of his
authors have been with him for ten or more years.

Next comes more research to learn what to send as part of your query.  Many agents
have websites that explain their preferences.  Other resources include Jeff Herman's
Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents and industry organizations
such as Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America.  You'll find
the submission requirements vary widely for different agents.  Be sure to follow each
agent's guidelines.

There's always the question among new writers on whether they should send one
query at a time or multiple queries.  After you've sent a few query letters out and
waited, sometimes several months, for a reply, this is an easy question to answer.  If
you want an agent anytime soon, sending multiple queries to your target agents is the
only way to go.

It's very scary to put your work out there and even harder when the rejections start
pouring in.  Beth Groundwater, local mystery author, tried to keep at least five queries
out at a time.  For every rejection she got, she immediately sent out another query.  
Set a similar goal for yourself so that you immediately take a positive action when you
receive a rejection.  In order to keep your spirits up during this process, find another
writer who is actively querying and provide each other emotional support and
encouragement.  

Have a plan to stay organized.  Set up a spreadsheet or file system where you keep
track of when you sent what to whom.  Log in any rejections or requests along with
any comments from the agents.

Your research will ultimately pay off when an offer of representation is made.  If
you've done a good job, you won't have to worry if the agent is reputable.  You'll
know, as Brennan did, that every agent she queried was one she'd be happy to have
represent her.  "The only unknown was the 'personal' factor," she said.  Brennan had
a list of questions to ask but feels the most important was whether the agent would
read her other works in progress.  Her agent was happy to read anything, even if it
wasn't complete, and provide the career direction Brennan was looking for.

For Groundwater, talking one on one with her agent at a conference was a big deciding
factor in her decision to accept his offer.  From discussing career aspirations to
communication styles, having a good conversation can be very revealing about how
your relationship as agent and author will likely develop.

When you're finally ready to look for an agent, remember to do your research first,
write the best query letter possible, follow the agency guidelines, keep track of your
submissions, and think about what questions you want answered when you finally get
that long awaited call.

This article appeared in the May/June 2007 issue of Pikes Peak Writer
Newsmagazine in Colorado Springs.