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Topic: Becoming a literary agent (books)
| Author | Message |
| ebpenick | Posted – 3/11/2008 11:39:26 AM | show profile | email poster Hi, I'm starting a literary agency (for fiction and non-diction books). My background is management consulting, business school, then writing and editing. I'd love some advice on how I can get my name out there. It seems mediabistro would be a very appropriate place for agents to list their information and I tried to make a profile in "Freelance Marketplace," but listing as an agent there isn't a possibility, and I suppose it's really not freelance anyway. I've posted an agent profile on WritersNet. I'm of course not yet a member of AAR (Association of Authors' Representatives), but I operate by their code of ethics and am working toward membership. That said, does anyone know how/where I can list my info? I'd love to be able to list with Writer's Market or Jeff Herman, but I'm not certain how to do that or whether I'm eligible. Other than that, I've updated my undergrad and business school profiles so I'm hoping potential clients may reach me that way. In case anyone reading this is in need of a literary agent, I'll post the link to my profile on WritersNet: http://www.writers.net/agents/60692 Thank you very much for your help/advice! |
| foodlit | Posted – 3/11/2008 1:42:15 PM | show profile | email poster Do you have a page on publishersmarketplace? When I was a literary agent that listing alone generated almost more queries than I wanted! Also, have you met with editors yet? If not, you need to do that asap. Just pick up the phone and call them and schedule meetings. That's the most important thing you'll do, establish those relationships and get to know their different tastes. Also, make sure you have a lot of money stashed away, because you won't make much if any in your first year as an agent. It's the slowest most frustrating process imaginable, and frankly, I just didn't have the patience for it! I wish you all the best though, Pam |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 3/11/2008 2:49:28 PM | show profile I second Publisher's Marketplace, as well as initiating contact with editors. That way, when you pitch to them, they won't say, "who is Agent XXX?" and throw out the proposal. Also try listing on Agent Query (www.agentquery.com). Good luck! |
| ebpenick | Posted – 3/11/2008 3:08:39 PM | show profile Thank you! Thank you both so much! This is very helpful. I'll start contacting editors, and I'll post on publishersmarketplace as well as on Agent Query. And I'll be ready for a long road ahead-ugh! |
| alizuchowski | Posted – 3/11/2008 6:19:28 PM | show profile | email poster What is publishers market place? |
| ebpenick | Posted – 3/12/2008 12:24:30 AM | show profile Publishers marketplace Here is the link to publishers marketplace: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ It shows deal news (i.e. of books that were sold, by which agent, to which editor, at which publishing company). When you are a member, you also get a profile page where you can say you are an agent, editor, writer, or whatever; give some information about what you do; and provide your contact info. It's a great site and definitely worth checking out. |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 3/12/2008 9:47:51 AM | show profile PM also has a daily e-newsletter called Publisher's Lunch, which is basically a newsfeed of publishing-related events/ personnel changes/ etc. That too is worth signing up for, if you're in the publishing industry or want to be. |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 3/12/2008 10:01:12 AM | show profile PM has also been a monumentally valuable tool for me in my job search--it also has a job board; but most importantly, it's given me contact information for literary agents and editors that I've been networking with. Definitely an invaluable tool. (sorry, ebpenick, for stealing the subject of the thread away from the original). |
