Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

You've written a novel, but you have no idea how to get it to the bookshelves. You are not able to publish the novel yourself, or you are writing a novel for the first time. In this case, you need a literary agent. Literary agents are gatekeepers to the world of literary creation. Here is a step-by-step plan to help you trap the elusive literary agent.

Steps

1. 1 Get professional editing of a draft of your creation. Only first-class works can attract the attention of a literary agent.
2. 2 Look for potential agents. Top-notch websites for finding agents are Writers Market and Jeff Herman Guide to Literary Agents. In addition, each literary agency has its own website. Look for the latest information.
3. 3 Make a list of literary agents who are looking at your genre, be it a teen, romance, science fiction, or fiction novel.
4. 4 Try to narrow your list of potential agents. Look for the titles of books edited by a particular literary agent. A huge number of agents specialize in teenage books such as mysticism and fantasy. Don't worry them unnecessarily if you've written a teenage novel about a child turned detective.
5. 5 Submit an application to review your novel. The application is the first time an agent meets you as a writer. The application must be dynamic. Outline: 1. Explain the storyline in three compelling sentences; 2. Specify why you contacted this particular agent; 3. Explain why you wrote such a book. To do this, use a maximum of one page.
6. 6 Follow the instructions of each agent separately and send your letters. Yes, you have the ability to apply for multiple agents at the same time. Try to convey your specifics in each application. Contact only one agent per edition.Note: Make sure that the first chapter of your novel has a bomb detonation effect. Some agents make a request for the first chapter of your novel along with the application. This is your chance to impress. You need to give your best.
7. 7 If the agent is interested in viewing your work, he / she will make a request for a full / partial manuscript. Follow the agent's instructions carefully. At this stage, it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions about the time frame for viewing the work. A self-respecting agent should respond to your request within 2-3 months.
8. 8 When you are waiting for an answer, keep creating. If you receive an offer to represent your interests, the agent will definitely want to know what you are working on at the moment. Discuss the possibility of long-term cooperation.
9. 9 Cooperation proposal. If you receive an offer like this, be prepared to answer a series of questions. Commission remuneration? The right to translate a book? Editing process? You must clearly understand what you will be doing.
10. 10 Publication. Remember that it is the agent's responsibility to send your book to the editor. This process can take from one week to a year. Or maybe your book will never be published. Have patience and demonstrate professionalism in the posting process. Let the agent do his job.
11. 11 Be persistent. A book titled For help will not be accepted by the editors, since such a novel has already been published a huge number of times. Watch for changes in the literature. Literary agents are busy people whose services are always in demand. But these people are also eager to discover the next literary masterpiece. Follow them.

Tips

• Determine the genre of the novel and count the number of words.
• If you have received an offer to represent your interests, please let other agents to whom you submitted a request / sent a manuscript, but did not receive a response. It will most likely take them a few days to review your work.
• Manuscript format.
• Title page.
• Fields 1.5. on all pages of the work.
• Work on promoting the literary work. This parameter is more important for scientific than for fiction, so a huge number of writers pay attention to self-promotion. Your marketing program will carry weight when it comes to representing your interests or selling books.
• Try to make a portfolio of clippings / short stories.
• Place the title in the center of the page.
• Title / title in the upper left corner of each page.
• Font: Times New Roman would be the best choice.
• Attend writers conferences. This is the best way to meet literary agents. If you are unable to attend conferences, read the literary agent blogs.
• Be prepared to provide the agent's full name and contact information.
• Bottom (your name) - center placement.
• Personal data.
• The indent is two intervals.
• Submit multiple requests at once. You can send 4-6 applications at the same time. If you have a huge list of potential agents, but your first ten applications did not pass, this means that you need to work on the quality of your request. Review the application and send it to other agents.
• Number the pages in the lower right corner of each page

Warnings

• Be careful if the agent charges a fee for "reading the work."
• Be wary of agencies that are not represented by the Association of Literary Agents.
• Stay away from agencies that don't have their own website.
• Working with a trusted agent does not guarantee a published book.
• Never use the title "Dear Agent." Use the words "Mister" or "Miss / Mrs" + last name.
• Do not use the services of several agents from the same edition.
• Never call a literary agency to put your book up for sale or inquire about a decision on your application.

• http://hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/manuscript_formatting.html
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ao4VX3Vn6Yt3P6h850j7d2Pty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080118142939AAC9Dgg&show=7#profile-info-I705rxF4aa