How To Connect With Literary Agents

Literary agents have been called the “doorkeepers” to the publishing industry. If you are interested in getting your book published through a reputable publisher, and if self-publishing is not your desire, you will need a literary agent to represent you to publishers.

With this information in mind, I know there are a lot of questions. I will do my best to give you the basics to get started.

First, let’s dive into a couple ways to find literary agents. One way to connect with agents is to attend writers conferences. At writers conferences, you will have an opportunity to speak and interact with agents. You can ask questions, find out what they are looking for, and possibly even submit your work. You will also be able to network with other writers and find out who they know and if they are represented by an agent or not. Another way to find an agent is to Google search for Christian literary agents. But remember: You cannot believe everything you find on the internet, so from here, you will want to do additional research to learn more about who you discover to make sure they are reputable. 

Here are a few things to note when looking for a literary agent: 

1. A reputable agent will not charge a fee upfront.
2. A reputable agent will have a website that explains their submission guidelines.
3. A reputable agent will be known by others in the industry.

Now that you’ve narrowed your focus and discovered a few agents who might be right for you, do your homework! Here are some next steps:

1. Look through the agent’s website at the authors and works they represent, and see if they align with what you might want to publish. If they don’t, move on to the next agent.
   
   
2. Look for submission guidelines, and be prepared to follow them carefully. Submission guidelines are there for a reason, and some agents will not even consider representing you if you do not take the time to diligently follow the guidelines they have set. Do not ignore the details! Guidelines will differ from agent to agent, but don’t rush. If you do the hard work in this step, it will pay off in the end.
   
   
3. Now it’s time to get that book proposal ready. Craft, create and edit your proposal until it shines. Once you’ve got a completed proposal, get ready to connect with those agents. Most agents will include either a form or an email address to send your proposal to. Simply follow the submission guidelines, and hit “send”! 

Good agents typically provide a response time on their website, so be patient and wait for the time to pass. If they give you feedback, take it seriously, and consider how you can adjust and grow as a writer. In my experience, agents have given valuable information that helped me alter my proposal to submit to another agent. If they do not respond within their given response time, feel free to follow up with a professional message asking if they have had an opportunity to look over your proposal. 

There is a path to traditional publishing, and you can take the steps to get there! Take it one step at a time — and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

Blessings,
Micah Maddox

Are you interested in traditional publishing? What step do you need to take to begin connecting with literary agents?