Finding an Agent? It’s a Job!
by Tory Gates author of Sweet Dreams: Searching for Roy Buchanan
Like it or not, the aspiring writer’s initial foray into obtaining professional representation isn’t easy. The dream of seeing your work in printed form can come true, distant though it may feel after what could be years of rejections. Through my own experience, I can now say that while I remain unpublished, I remain undaunted.
Let me tell you a story: my first attempt at finding an agent occurred in the mid-1990’s. I had written a science fiction novel, and then rewrote it more times than I can remember.
It all seemed too easy; through the Internet I found an agent whose offices were in New York; by luck, she lived near my job at the time. We talked a bit and before I knew it, my manuscript had been whisked off to New York.
I don’t deny thinking I had it made.
The smackdown came quickly; one of her colleagues read it, liked some of it, and disliked a lot of it. His brutally honest, but professional assessment told me I had a long way to go. That manuscript is still resting on a shelf in my home–it’s a reminder.
The urge to write a book came again in the summer of 2007; the first volume of the Sweet Dreams Series, a fiction/time travel story was ready early last year. This time, I was determined to find an agent that would represent me, and get the dream back on track.
A changing economy could have conspired to derail my efforts, but instead it opened doors. I was about to be made redundant, and I had that realization: the hunt for an agent is just like hunting for a job…it is a job!
What followed was very much like a job hunt: I trolled through the latest Writer’s Market, Dustbooks and every literary publication I could find in search of leads. I checked every single listed publisher and agent; I discounted the ones I knew would not consider my manuscript (if they say NO science fiction, they mean it!). I marked up those books and magazines, and made a “Master List” with all the pertinent info. I’m not an Excel guy; I typed out all the contact info, and the names of those I targeted.
I checked to make sure what each “target” wanted–did they want a synopsis, the first chapter, the first three chapters, or the whole thing? Did my query letter get to the point? Did I include my business card, my contact information, even my resume (a couple of prospects actually wanted them)? Could I send by email or was “snail mail” still the way to go? Did they require an SASE?
Once I knew, I started sending in waves. I didn’t just confine my search to the US, either; I sent queries to Canada, Britain and Australia. The rejections came back almost as quickly; by email, the fastest was in about two minutes.
Don’t get discouraged–this happens. I have a file folder full of rejection letters. Some are real business letters; some include handwritten notes, and others are just tiny slips of paper. Keep them all, look at them, and read what they have to say. They might not say any more than the standard phrases about not being a fit, but sometimes you get a clue of where you might be going wrong in your search.
Once I’d exhausted those traditional avenues, I turned back to the Internet. Not every reputable agent is listed in the big books. Before long, that “Master List” was 80 pages long! I kept careful note of who had rejected me, not responded or in those few cases, wanted more. This entire process took four months; it became my unpaid job. Call it a passion, call it an obsession; what it got me was representation.
Then I got the email; not the call, not the letter, the email. My soon-to-be agent got the story right away, and was taken by it. Suddenly, I had someone in my corner, someone who could open the doors I could not on my own. It does happen.
One last thing: while making the search, keep writing, editing and crafting your work. If you do have a job, don’t neglect it, and don’t put your family aside, either. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know; but I hope I’ve put it in a different perspective, so you see that just writing your great story is the first step. You have to go out and get the attention your story, and you, deserve.
(Tory Gates is a radio personality, writer and musician. He lives in York, Pennsylvania, and is currently represented by Jeanie Pantelakis of the Sullivan-Maxx Literary Agency.)
