I'm looking for a literary agent for my as-yet unwritten book.

Factual Questions
1

I think it’s one hell of an idea, and I don’t think the book would take that long to write. I’m excited about it. I also think this book doesn’t have much of a shelf life, since it’s basically topical humor that likely won’t be appealing in a few years.

I don’t know how to go about finding an agent for it, how much to expect to pay the agent, and what material to have with me when I show it to an agent. I have no idea how to begin, but I will say that I believe in what I’m doing and that I think it’s worth doing, and worth printing, and I suspect that there are publishing houses out there who would agree with me. I know I’d buy this book if someone else wrote it.

Does anyone know how to begin on such a project? I’m not even sure if I’m asking all the questions I need to. I’m green to this, but I really want to get started. Any advice from anyone who’s been there (or who’s tried to get there, or who knows anything about getting there) will be appreciated. Thanks.

2

You should search Café Society for threads on agents. There have been many that would be helpful.

Agents don’t want to hear about your ideas. They want to know if you can write. You have to have at least the first three chapters of your book, I assume it’s a novel, before you even approach an agent. It’s better, and almost mandatory these days, to have the entire book finished just in case an agent does like what you sent. Nothing will kill interest faster than having to tell an agent, OK, I’ll get back to you in a year when I’m done.

Go to Amazon or to your local library or book store and find books on finding an agent. They’ll give good advice. You need to do your research. If you’re writing a genre novel you need an agent that specializes in same. If you’re writing a literary novel, ditto. They’re rarely the same person. You will also need to know proper manuscript preparation, how to write a summary/hook, and what not to put into your cover letter. Approach it as a business deal and carry out the same due diligence you would in buying a house.

There are scads of resources online as well.

Miss Snark, the literary agent is extremely popular because she takes a Cecil-style tone to the clueless newbies who write nitwit questions to her. Assume you are a clueless newbie until proven otherwise. Read deeply in her archives.

For some reason, whenever somebody here says they have an idea for a book, it’s always in f&sf. Look at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America site under the Resources link for many articles on the craft and business of writing.

But first off: write. An idea and five dollars will get you a cup of coffee. Or a dirty look at Starbucks for not having enough for a cup of coffee.

3

[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase]
Or a dirty look at Starbucks for not having enough for a cup of coffee.
[/QUOTE]

I know it’s a joke, but being GQ and all and the fact folks believe it, would people just stop spreading this nonsense? The largest cup of coffee (venti) at the local Starbucks here is a buck ninety. Yes, $1.90. In Chicago. Not five bucks or anywhere near it.

Sorry, I don’t own stock in Starbucks, I’ve never worked there, and I don’t like their coffee, but I get tired of people complaining about the price of their coffee, when it’s simply not true.

4

[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase]
But first off: write. An idea and five dollars will get you a cup of coffee. Or a dirty look at Starbucks for not having enough for a cup of coffee.
[/QUOTE]

Well, it isn’t a novel, and it isn’t science fiction or fantasy. My idea isn’t for that long of a novel, but rather, a somewhat gimmicky piece of political satire. I think it would work better if I actually wrote the whole thing; part of it wouldn’t work well, I suspect. (I’d explain why, but I don’t want to publicize my idea before I’ve gotten it together. I know everyone thinks their idea is so original that everyone will want to steal it from them if they open their mouths, but that might actually be the case this time. At any rate, something inside of me feels less pressure to work the more detail I offer about what I’m doing, so that’s sufficient reason to keep it to myself.)

That’s pretty solid advice, <B>Exapno</B>. Thanks. I’ve got research to do. There are a few writers whom I like a lot who have written politically satirical or politically-driven works which are on the humorous side, so I think that’s a way to start. It’s surprising that you can actually dig up these people’s agents and publicists; I’ve done it before. (I’m not interested in stalking my favorite writers; that’s not at all appealing to me. I’ve seen some speak publicly, but that’s about it.)

I’ll check out Miss Snark and whip myself into getting my first draft done. I’ll also peruse Café Society for tips. I’m going to kick myself if I don’t at least try to get this book written in time!

5

OK, sorry about the misunderstanding. Unfortunately, a topical political satire is even less appealing to agents, especially by someone who doesn’t have a name or track record. No shelf life or backlist. You have to get it done immediately to make it topical. A gimmicky piece that isn’t a novel… Well, that’s what a good agent is for.

Finding out the names of agents or editors of authors who publish similar works is a very good idea, BTW.

6

Writer’s Guild of America (West)
Writer’s Guild of American (East)

Good luck!

7

The Writers Guild is for screenplay and teleplay writers only. They have nothing to do with people who write books. And you can’t even join them until you’ve sold something.

8

oh really? some of them used to do books only

9

I think you’re confusing the Writer’s Guild with the Association of Artists’ Representatives.

10

Sigh.

Don’t you even read your own links?

11

[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase]
I assume it’s a novel, before you even approach an agent. It’s better, and almost mandatory these days, to have the entire book finished just in case an agent does like what you sent. Nothing will kill interest faster than having to tell an agent, OK, I’ll get back to you in a year when I’m done.
[/QUOTE]

I disagree with a great deal of this, but that is because I have read further posts and know it’s not a novel. But then I also disagree with Exapno Mapcase that short shelf life political humour is not of as much interst as a novel. I would suspect it is more so. Publishers get thousands upon thousands of completed manuscripts for novels, most of which they don’t even read. Agents are the same. Political satire tends to sell well, if it is good!

As for completing it in advance - my strong advice is not to do so. That is the case with novels, but not for other genres. I have just published my thirteenth book and signed a contract for my fourteenth. I’ve had ten education titles, a novel, and two mass market popular science. My next book will also be popular science. All were published in Australia and four also published in America. I have an agent. So although I am coming from an Australian experience, I don’t think it is much different there.

You need to know how to do a proposal. For that you will need the first three chapters, as Exapno Mapcase rightly said. You will also need a plan of the entire book.

This is the advice from my own publisher on proposing a manuscript. You’ll note that for non-fiction they specifically say not to write the book first:

http://www.allenandunwin.com/writing/advice.html

And here is an American one:

http://www.bksp.org/secondarypages/articles/agentseditors/SMendell1.htm

That matches exactly what I have done for my three non-fiction titles. Send it to publishers and agents. I don’t know the situation there, but here agents are as hard to get as publishers. I didn’t get an agent until I already had the first mass market book published and an offer for the second. He doesn’t do my education writing.

I hope that is of help and wish you all the very best with your writing. There is only one thing which will get you there and that is perseverence. It took me ten years to find a publisher for my novel! Now that I have a track record it is a different game, but breaking in was just hard slog.

Lynne

12

[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase]
Sigh.
Don’t you even read your own links?
[/QUOTE]

I have attempted to find a literary agent for my screenplays, via the WGA, many of the agencies that I wrote to accepted manuscripts - ie books

'kay?

13

There is no question that the rules are different for fiction and non-fiction. The reasons are straightforward.

For a non-fiction proposal the editor wants to know if you can write, but also wants to have input as to the direction and slant of the book for commercial reasons.

For fiction the editor wants to know if you can write, but also if you can finish the book properly. Lots of writers can’t, either because they can’t get it down on paper or don’t do a very good job.

Now, “a somewhat gimmicky piece of political satire” could be anything from a pop-up book to a novel. It sounds like it needs to be written, so it’s probably closer to a novel than to non-fiction. It would be helpful if Chance were to clarify this because the advice changes markedly if the book is something other than fiction.

I’m going to stay with my opinion that political satire has a narrow window and is not much in favor by American publishers right now, especially by an unknown. Of course, something that really good trumps everything.

Lobelia Overhill, if you’re a WGA member then you know that you have to sell a screenplay to become a member so your advice is irrelevant to Chance. If you’re just using some lists of agents that the WGA has put together, then there are much better listings available elsewhere that the WGAw agency list which is completely biased toward west coast screenwriter agencies and not at all applicable to Chance’s needs.

14

One thing that I should probably mention is that you *NEVER * pay an agent to represent you.

“The instant an agent tells you that he charges a fee to evaluate your manuscript, RUN—do not walk—in the opposite direction. *NO REPUTABLE AGENT * charges a reading or evaluation fee. The AAR (Association of Author Representatives) forbids its signatories from doing so.”

The above is a quote from www.hollylisle.com, and truer words were never spoken. Real agents make their money by taking a commission when they sell your books. You should never have to pay them a penny.

15

[QUOTE=Book Monster]
One thing that I should probably mention is that you *NEVER * pay an agent to represent you.

“The instant an agent tells you that he charges a fee to evaluate your manuscript, RUN—do not walk—in the opposite direction. *NO REPUTABLE AGENT * charges a reading or evaluation fee. The AAR (Association of Author Representatives) forbids its signatories from doing so.”

The above is a quote from www.hollylisle.com, and truer words were never spoken. Real agents make their money by taking a commission when they sell your books. You should never have to pay them a penny.
[/QUOTE]

This is absolutely the truth. There are some out there who will charge huge amounts to assess your manuscript and represent you. A manuscript assessment from a reputable organisation can be good. If that’s the direction you want to take, ask the publisher at the top of your list for a recommendation.

One acquaintance took her proposal to an agent who had expressed interest. The ‘agent’ then said it ‘needed work’, (ALL manuscirpts do!) and the ‘agent’ would need to be paid to finish reading and offer an assessment. That paid, she sent an assessment but still no offer to represent the author. She will charge for a further reading.

**Book Monster’**s advice is gold.

Lynne