2005 Guide to Literary Agents (Guide to Literary Agents) (Paperback)

~ Kathryn S. Brogan (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For many aspiring writers, the first step to getting published is getting their foot in the door, a step made considerably more simple with the assistance of an agent. The 2005 Guide to Literary Agents provides the essentials to connecting writers with an advocate for their work, sharing:

*More than 400 listings for literary and script agents, independent production companies and publicists, and more

*Crucial advice, from recognizing a scam to mastering fees to understanding your rights when working with an agent

*Advice from a variety of publishing insiders, including prominent agents and successfully published authors

With Guide to Literary Agents, readers can learn how to get noticed, represented, and published.

About the Author

Kathryn S. Brogan is the editor of Writer's Market, Writer's Market Deluxe Edition, and Guide to Literary Agents. In addition to being a full-time editor, Kathryn is also a published writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; Revised edition (June 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582973288
• ISBN-13: 978-1582973289
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #743,983 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #99 in

  Books > Literature & Fiction > Books & Reading > Booksellers & Bookselling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Newly Revamped and a Must If You're Searching for an Agent, October 13, 2004

By	FictionAddiction.NET - See all my reviews

Finding an agent is one of the most challenging pursuits you'll encounter as a writer. The 2005 Guide to Literary Agents helps you with your search in countless ways.

This year's newly revamped guide contains more than 400 literary and script agents who don't charge fees. Each agent's policies have been weighed against the guidelines held by the Association of Authors' Representatives. Every one of the agents listed have been evaluated to make sure you don't run into any problems with agents who make their money off of writers instead of making money off of selling your work.

You'll also find listings for other professionals such as publicists and production companies. For those looking to enhance their talent, you'll want to check out the contest and writers' conference listings.

Complete help on finding and landing an agent is also available inside with articles like Author-Agent Etiquette, How to Find the Right Agent and The Art of the Synopsis, to name just a few. Complete sections on contacting agents and before you sign, including an invaluable scam alert, are vital to making your agent choice successful.

Whether you're searching for your first agent or looking for a change, the 2005 Guide to Literary Agents is an essential for your personal library. The new design makes finding your type of agents and narrowing your list even easier so you can make a wise choice and get back to the business of writing.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Path to Getting Published, April 21, 2005

By	Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

In today's publishing world, acquiring an agent is perhaps the most difficult task a writer faces - even more difficult than getting an manuscript published. The 2005 Guide to Literary Agents provides essential guidance to those who have a finished and polished book manuscript or script, and who wish to find representation. While this book won't make the process easy, its helpful listings and articles will direct writers toward the best agents for their work.

Unlike many of the Writer Digest Books guides, this one contains valuable information in its articles: "FAQs About Agents"; "Author-Agent Etiquette"; "Agents Share Their Secrets"; "How to Find the Right Agent"; "How Do I Contact Agents"; "The Art of the Synopsis"; and more. Of course, the listings themselves, of over 600 literary agents, constitute the bulk of the book. Each entry contains contact info, what kind of material the agents represents, terms, and, often, recent sales. Near the end, the editors provide a section on writers' conferences, where many authors meet their eventual agents. (Note that many agents do not wish to be listed in this book because of the volume of submissions it generates.)

If you want to get your book published by a major publisher, you must have an agent. Publishers now rely on agents to screen manuscripts for them, to weed out the unprofessional and the boring, so that when you acquire an agent, you've conquered a large part of the battle. Beyond that, however, you'll need an agent who has extensive connections within publishing, who knows exactly which editors like your kind of material, and how to present your work in the best possible light. Finding that agent among the listings here won't be easy, but at least Writers Digest Books will give you a gentle push in the right direction.

Highly recommended for those who already have a polished book manuscript or script. For those who aren't yet ready to find representation, save your money for next year's guide.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource!, May 26, 2005

By	Monica Main "Monica Main" (Valencia, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All of Writer's Digest resource books are excellent. If you think about it, where else would this vital industry contact information be available? I'm getting irritated with "Quack's" comments on every Writer's Digest review page. He obviously never sent a query or manuscript to an agent (as he probably can't write one to begin with) because I've had a lot of luck sending queries, proposals, and manuscripts to agents and publishers who "say" they aren't accepting new authors, etc. I have one book deal in the works because I sent my proposal to a publisher who clearly stated, "No new authors." So Quack needs to get a life, learn how to write, and stop being such a kill joy. He'll never be a successful writer...or a successful anything. He's just too pessimistic. If you're serious about writing, you need all of the contacts and resources you can get. This book will get you started on the right path.