Product Description: Written by a top literary agent who gives writers an insider's view of how to find and work with an agent throughout the process of getting published. Includes:
-- How to know that you're ready for an agent -- 7 ways to find an agent -- Writing a cover letter that grabs attention -- What to do with an agent once you've got one -- What you can expect and what you'd better not hope for -- Making sure this is the right agent for you -- Congratulations, now you have an agent AND an editor -- How to avoid the 7 worst pitfalls for aspiring writers -- And much, much more.
In today's highly competitive publishing industry, literary agents are more important than ever. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, reference or children's books, here is everything you need to know about using an agent to launch and sustain your literary career.
Learn the ends and outs of getting an agent from an agent! Michael Larsen shares some interesting point of view on the process of finding an agent and an entertaining look inside a good day and a bad day in an agent's life. He attempts to solve the mystery of the agent - author - publisher triangle in How to Get a Literary Agent. It's an interesting book but I would caution, as with any advice, to apply common sense. If something doesn't feel right for you, don't do it just because you read it in an expert's book. Always remember an agent's stated guidelines trump anything you read in a book.
Finding a literary agent- I found the book to be clear, concise, and a pleasure to read. Laced with subtle humor, this book provided the answers to my questions regarding getting a literary agent.
Concise and Complete This book gives a step by step approach to selecting and approaching Agents. There is a template for writing the query letter, things to look for when searching for an agent and some advice on writing. More importantly it gives a list of the things that will put an Agent off almost immediately like comparing yourself to Tolstoy and repeated calls to check if they received your submission for example .
What is 'missing' from this book is a list of Publishers and Agents, and for that I recommend Jeff Herman's book because it gives what they want in their own words in the Agents section.
One More of the Same! Like so many other books aimed at separating wanabe authors from a few of their dollars, this is more of the same. No better or worse. If you need a book, go for the cheapest. It will help you as much, and leave you with money for a dog and a beer.
An important little book packed with information I read this book in the same way I would read a fiction novel, it was that enjoyable to read. Michael Larsen's writing style is humorous and easy to read. He inspires in a truthful way, letting you know the downsides to publishing and finding an agent as well. I finished this book in one day, and i'll be going back to it often to re-read the majority of it. It's jam packed with tips and relevant information that help you understand the whole process of getting the agent, what the agent does for you, how the entire publishing process works, and details what they usually do to market your book.
Reading this book before you're done writing your novel, or while you're querying agents, will give you an edge. You'll want to start formulating plans on how to market yourself, and the earlier you do this, the better off you'll be when you finally obtain an agent.
While I wouldn't make this your only purchase on the subject, it is a necessity. This book along with Putting Your Passion Into Print, will help you understand just about everything you need to know about the publishing process. You will most likely need other ones for sample queries and proposals.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
