How to Approach an Agent

by Vicki Meade

n their panel discussion on how to interest an agent, perhaps the strongest message from literary agents Howard Yoon, Susan Protter, and Joshua Bilmes was that every agent is different: what piques the interest of one may fall flat with another. Therefore, be sure to read agents' listings in the Literary Marketplace and other guidebooks to find out what kind how of work they handle and how they prefer to receive inquiries. In general, what do these three like?

• A concise letter containing a paragraph on what the book is about and the market niche it fills, plus three or four lines about yourself and your qualifications. When you send a big envelope with a synopsis and sample chapters, it's likely to sit in a pile. They open the small envelopes much faster.
• A real, individualized letter that shows you know something about the agent you're addressing—such as who else the agent has represented or the type of books he or she likes—rather than a generic form letter. It shows you're willing to put in extra effort and do your homework.
• When potential clients approach agents who really strike them as a good match, rather than sending letters willy nilly to any agent who breathes.

What do they dislike?

• Inquiries asking them to look at the second book in a series, when the first book was never published. Don't even mention the first book.
• When letters make claims like "my book is sure to be a best seller" or "this book will blow Tom Clancy off the map."

Remember, they said, agents only represent writers they feel confident they can sell, so it's in your best interest to target agents who have sold works like yours in the past. Once you send a letter to an agent, don't sit back waiting for a response, send letters to others as well, and keep working on your next book.

Vicki Meade
Meade Communications
1013 Jackson Street
Annapolis, MD 21403
410.280.6430 (voice and fax)
vicki@meadecomm.com