I'm looking around a bit to see what the possibilities of picking up an agent might bring my way. It's just me being curious, mostly. Many of us have done fine without one, but I'm just wondering if an agent would make a difference in some other way I've not thought about. Anyone know of any good agents or agencies I could take a peek at?
You might consider using the database on this site:
I plan to look for an agent for a novella I'm just finishing, but when I do, I'll search through the Association of Authors' Representatives. Even then, I would Google a scam check on every agent I decide to contact.
With the growing proliferation of people who choose now to self-publish through Kindle et al. agents are probably more open to anyone who wants to choose a traditional route.
That being said, these people are in business to make a profit and most will be unwilling to take a chance on anyone who has not proven themselves in the trade.
If you do decide to seek an agent, you need to study them and present a professional query. Few even read cold call submissions anymore, but rely on queries to make their judgement as to whether or not they want to even see a manuscript.
Thanks very much, James. Hope all is going well.
"Poets and Writers," has an agent data base at
http://www.pw.org/literary_agents . Best of luck finding one.