May 15, 2020, by aeyaebr

Publishing in Practice: Selecting an Agent

By Annie Brown, MA Creative Writing student blogger

So, you’ve written a piece of work you’re interested in getting published. You may require a literary agent as very few large publishers contact authors directly. Choosing an agent to represent you and your work can be confusing and it is important to choose the right one. Here are my top tips for selecting an agent and how to increase your chances of success:

Research

You can research agents online who publish your genre of writing and contact them. However, you may be more successful being specific. You can search in the acknowledgements of books you believe are similar in theme and tone to yours for the publishing agent. Then, you can compile a list of potential agents and narrow down the most suitable choices.

A helpful hint in your submission is including the specific name of the agent you had in mind, as many will be flattered to read you have enjoyed work they have published.

Personality

Your relationship with your agent is a key aspect of publishing. You should seek an agent who understands the intentions and aims of your work. Ensure you are polite and respectful in your interactions with them, as this will make them more inclined to work with you.

Clarity

Your submission needs to be as clear as possible. Doing your research and tailoring your submission to each publisher is necessary. Otherwise, you risk hindering your own application by not following their instructions. Agencies have guidelines for a reason, which will include how many words you should submit, font, spacing and what you should include with your submission. Ensuring you stick to the guidelines will increase your chances of success.

Submission

You should submit your work to as many relevant agents as possible. Publishers vary in their response times so you should have options. You should keep a detailed record of what you have submitted where, to who and when you can expect to hear back. If you are successful, it is considered good form to inform the other places you have submitted to. Occasionally, this can increase interest in your work, so it is worth doing.

Success

Unfortunately, your chances of success are slim. You will receive a standard rejection letter if unsuccessful. Yet, if you receive what is called an ‘unstandard’ rejection letter, this can be positive. The agent may have mentioned aspects of your book they enjoyed and given you specific praise. Again, it is recommended you reply to this type of rejection in a polite and appreciative manner. The agent may remember your polite response and it could help you establish a relationship with them if you choose to submit to them again.

Publishing can be a tricky career to access. Therefore, having the right information about how selecting an agent can increase your chances of success. 

Find out more about careers in publishing.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on LinkedIn