You've probably checked out MB's Pitching and Agent guides, which give you tons of information on how to find the agent that's perfect for you. A question that I always wonder is, when does a writer begin to look for that perfect agent? Is it after you've written your first novel? When you have the idea for your perfect novel? When you feel like you've become a big enough deal that you need somebody else to help you organize your various gigs? I spoke to two agents, one at a large agency and one at a smaller one, to get their points of view.

The agent I spoke with at the smaller agency laid it out thusly:

"If one has placed a few sales of stories or books themselves and have become a 'working' writer, it may be time to look for representation. One of the benefits of a literary agent is that our participation in the writer's business leaves them more time to write. I can't speak for others, but selling a book is one of the first steps, not the end of my participation. Between negotiating the best contract possible for the client, being active in pursuing sub-rights, interfacing with the publisher to keep the project on the editor's mind, I shield the client from this sort of minutia and free them up to do more-either personally or professionally. As a writer, you probably already know how many times a day an editor will make you want to pull your own hair out-I do it so the client doesn't have to.

"For beginners, I would suggest having the project completed, with a strong synopsis ready before you approach an agency. Unless their credentials are such that they would create a feeding frenzy at a reading, very few agents sign novelists on the strength of a partial. Of course, these rules are a bit more flexible with nonfiction-there qualifications, a "platform" and a knockout proposal are desired.

"As for free-lancers, I don't really work with them often, but they should feel free to solicit agencies for work-you never know when events will come together in the writer's favor-especially if the writer has a strong journalistic background."

Larger agency agent adds, "If a new writer is coming from an MFA program that might be a feeder for agents, then he might have a collection of stories and barely a start to his novel. If he has a referral to an agent through a friend who's a client of that agent, the agent may be willing to talk to him about his project. In general, though, I'd recommend for someone--a freelancer, a student, whoever--to have written a full novel, or a full proposal, before asking someone to look at it. It's difficult to sell material that isn't finished.

"Re: freelance writers and assignments--it's not common, but again, it depends on what kind of publication the person may already be writing for. Many smaller agencies don't do any kind of serial work and leave it to the clients to do themselves--it's a service they can't afford to spend time on. Also, the idea of agents working with magazine writers is to help build a career with the hope that the writer will eventually write a book--which is usually much more lucrative than the average freelance assignment."

If you like, here are a few more basics on lit agents.