GETTING YOUR BOOK TO AN AGENT (from 2016)

From a book editor and former literary agent assistant’s POV

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Photo by Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

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Many writers out there wonder how, in the hell, can they get their book into the worthy and capable hands of a literary agent. Well, it’s a process.

For one thing, I’ll be blunt: If you have a connection of any kind, use it. If you can nail down a referral, that will help big time. But assuming that’s not an option, and you have to go in ‘cold,’ here’s how you do it.

First off, start by writing the book all the way through. You’d be amazed how many agents tell me that writers submit partially completed manuscripts (or queries that pitch partially completed books). Unless it’s nonfiction—and that’s a different deal—finish the book first.

And not only finish it but have that puppy shining solid. I mean really, really polish that book. This means that you workshop it, get feedback, edit, revise, make changes, etc. It means that you show it to a lot of people both friends and professionals. It means that you hire a professional book editor (like me) to edit the book with skill and patience, from an objective viewpoint. This takes time. Have patience.