Literary Makeover: Agent or Not?

Writing is a personal, creative career that often grows-up to be "book". This triggers scope for publication which auto pilot's dilemma: to agent or not?

I climbed into this ring eight years ago. My time was maxed up with pay-the-rent writing plus I had a novel in motion that was screaming for attention. How complex a process could this be, I mused. After all, I was a nationally published author who "got" the publishing ropes . . right!?

What I hands-on learned were some basic cards that mark me today an appreciator of agent representation.

· The majority of literary agents expressly market books, i.e. finished books! Mine was in "my-pace-progress" when I base touched an agent first time out which is a major misstep. Luckily he had glanced at the words; 'liked my voice' and decided to pass me back direction. "Finished manuscripts only" he underscored bluntly. "Did you not read our detailed web page?" I had but retention tagged me an 'amateur'.

· Don't pin a tail on a name and drama the best! I did a verbal poll amongst local writers whose genre was parallel to mine and had books in print. My one criterion was a geographically close agent (100 miles or less) for one-on-one meets. From that list (13 names) I sat down with Google; followed this up with library visits to peruse the books agent-mentored by those I had interest in. The goal was to insure sending subject matter to fitting agent turf.

· I pared my list to three agents; did not contact them simultaneously. I followed their submission process and began with my first choice. I introduced myself briefly; stated why I chose "this" agency; detailed my to date national writing clips (copies enclosed); then put out the first three chapters of my book per their format guide. I sat on the packet for a week; daily re-read cover letter, etc. in achieve of optimal presentation. I conveyed that he/she was my "first choice" as agent; that I would not contact others until I gained yea or nea; that I would within 10 days follow up with a call.