Customer Reviews

Agents Directory

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In The Agents Directory: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book Or Script by editor-turned-agent Rachel Vater is a veritable compendium of insider information on what a literary agent does, instructions on how to tell a good agent from a bad one, and practical advice on how to approach an agent by mail or at a writer's conference. Avoiding agencies that won't accept new writers or who will charge novice writers money up-front just to read their manuscript, The Agents Directory focuses upon identifying the best literary and script agents who are looking for new author clients. Each individual listing is complete with detailed, up-to-date information about what type of work that particular agent accepts, other authors represented, recent sales, contract information, and submission guidelines. With detailed instructions for writing query letters (complete with examples), a bonus directory of American and Canadian writing conferences, an an extensive list of writer's organizations, The Agents Directory is the the ideal guidebook and instructional reference for aspiring writers wanting to get their work published as profitably as possible.

Poor attention to detail permeates the book and it would have been much better to leave scripts/screenplays out of the book entirely. At best they comprise only an after thought in any given section. An excellent example of how little attention is paid to screenwriting can be found in the index. Under `Script Agents Format Index' if you cross reference the agencies in the 'Feature Film' list to their entries in the `Agent Directory Section' you'll find that three agencies are missing entirely and two specifically do not represent screenplays.

Despite the poor editing, some of the advice is useful particularly on query letters. I also think that the tips for submission that are specific to the agencies are a nice touch even if they are frequently redundant. However, the useful material only comprises a small section of the book (approximately 50 pages); the rest is dedicated to the directory and woefully inaccurate index.

The book I received and sought has everything I need. I am a new screenwriter and have created a new script and need to send my completed script to an agent or reviewer. This book has everything I need.

Thanks Amazon.com

Although this was a 2004 print book, the information in this book regarding synopsis and query writing was invaluable.