What Every Author Should Know About Literary Agents | KDP Amazon

Many publishers will no longer accept a proposal unless it comes from an agent. While agents don’t guarantee your  book  will be  published , they can ensure that it gets a reading and advocate for  you  all along the process.  You  can find the right agent for  you  if  you  know where to look.

Why use an agent

An agent …

* will critique your  book  proposal before it is submitted and make suggestions or edits to help  you  improve it.

* knows which publishers are likely to be interested in your proposal.

* can garner attention for your proposal and sell it faster than  you  can.

* is your business representative and, as such, protects your best interests, secures advances, settles contract disputes, collects money, reviews royalty statements, ensures that publishers meet their contractual obligations, and host of other activities.

* is your support system, guide, and cheerleader, which every author  needs .

* can bring a new editor up to date on  you  and your  book  if that becomes necessary.

* only earns money when he or she sells your  book  proposal, which is a great motivator.

* is your closest ally in the  publishing  process.

How to Find an Agent

* Start online by looking up The Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR), a not-for-profit organization of qualified literary agents. AAR provides resources to its members and protects the best interests of their clients. AAR agents are obligated to uphold integrity and the highest professional standards in all of their business dealings. Do not consider an agent who does not meet the rigorous standards of the AAR and the National Writers Union (NWU).

* Check out on line and print directories. Jeff Herman’s  book , Writer’s Guide to  Book  Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, is invaluable. His online directory also lists agents’ e-mail addresses and websites. Writer’s Digest  Books  Guide to Literary Agents and Literary Market Place (LMP): The Directory of the American  Book   Publishing  Industry are excellent sources and may be all  you   need .

* Hardcover and trade paperback publishers produce catalogs to send to booksellers, libraries, and sales reps, which often include agents’ names and contact information. Browse bookstores shelves in the sections where your  book  might be. Check the dedication and acknowledgment pages of competitive  books  to see if the authors have thanked their editors and agents.

* Let agents find  you  by getting your  book   published  or  publishing  it yourself, then making sure the media knows about it.

* And, of course, network, network, network. Go where writers and agents are likely to be, such as writing classes, readings, lectures, seminars,  book  signings, conferences, and  book  festivals. Join writers’ organizations, and attend meetings. Talk to people who have been  published . Ask if they have used an agent, and don’t hesitate to request referrals. In my experience, writers are generous folks who are more than willing to share such information and support each other.

 What   do  agents want from  you ?

Agents have different policies about what they want from potential authors. Most agents prefer the initial contact be made in writing. They may want anything from a one-page query letter to an entire manuscript. Check the agent’s policy before making any submission. Obviously, whatever  you  send should be neat, organized, accurate, and well written. This is your first impression; make it a positive one.

A query letter is a one-page document that must entice the recipient to want to know more about your  book . It is by definition concise, so every word must count. Its job, like that of a good resume, is to get  you  in the door. To do that, it must be informative and inviting — both steak and sizzle. In essence, a query letter is a mini-proposal, an encapsulation of your most salient points on a single piece of paper.

A solid query letter is not something  you  dash off. It takes a great deal of thought and often many revisions. The agent not only wants to know  what  your  book  is about and why  you  are qualified as the author, but also how well  you  write. This letter may be the single most important piece of marketing  you  will do.

How to deal with an agent, once  you  have one

According to Lori Perkins, author of The Insider’s Guide to Getting an Agent (Writers’ Digest  Books ), there are ways to treat an agent and ways not to. On the plus side of the ledger are simple courtesies like saying thank  you ; keeping them posted on developments as they occur; educating yourself about the  publishing  industry; and, though it should seem obvious, always being completely honest.

On the other hand …

* Don’t expect miracles or the impossible. It’s in everyone’s best interest to sell your  book .

* Don’t second-guess their decisions. Agents will do everything possible to make  you  feel special and to get  you  a good deal.

* When the deal doesn’t meet your expectations, don’t shoot the messenger.

* Don’t be pushy about money or contracts. Pressure doesn’t speed up the process.

* Don’t expect your agent to teach  you  to write, advance  you  money, or act as your attorney, therapist, or publicist.

* Finally, if your agent thinks  you   need  to do more work on your  book  or proposal, don’t be a prima donna. Ridley Pearson, the best-selling mystery writer, tells a story about a writer he referred to his agent. When the agent suggested some changes, the writer took offense and said no. He never got his  book   published , by the way.

In this age of specialization, literary agents are no exception. Like doctors, they have specific niches. When  you  do research, begin with your particular genre. There’s no sense sending a query letter or proposal to someone who is not an expert in that area of nonfiction. Narrowing your search will increase your odds of success.

Source by Bobbi Linkemer

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CONCLUSION Keywords are important. In order to make your book stand out from the crowd, you must learn how to strategically choose them and ethically harness their power. There’s a difference between Amazon Keywords and SEO Keywords. I’ve shown you how to choose and use them both to increase your ebook sales. The right keyword combinations can open up new markets for you. Strategic keyword selection will drive more viewers to your book. You can use keywords to gain more viewers and ultimately, make more sales. Find the right keywords one of two ways: either use my free methods, or pay once for Keyword Samurai and have all the dirty work done for you. With Keyword Samurai, you will have instant access to loads of incredibly valuable information at your fingertips. http://kindlesamurai.net/ Cheers,