Finding an agent is similar to finding a publisher, the main difference being that agents are much more responsive. Most agencies are small, with one or several agents and a few office personnel. The larger agencies have lawyers and accountants on staff, and generally need the business of big, established authors to cover costs. A typical agent represents about 50 clients, and specializes in one or more genres. Like authors, agents get in the business for love, not money. They are constantly on the lookout for new talent.

Although established agents can be expected to be competent and ethical, there are no licensing requirements. Theoretically, anyone with a phone and a business card can be an agent. Therefore, experience and track-record, as well as enthusiasm, should be factors in choosing an agent.

Although an agent doesn't have to be based in New York to be effective, it certainly helps. At the very least, an agent should have strong contacts there and visit often.

Authors looking for agents should consider the following steps.

Preparation

Like publishers, established agents are contacted by hundreds of prospective clients per month. Of necessity, they will reject an author at the first sign of cluelessness. Before contacting an agent, an author should do the following:

• Learn what agents do, and how they operate. NetRead's How-To>Agents section is a start; there are also several excellent books on the subject. See Sites and Books.
• Learn as much as possible about the particular prospective agent(s). Does the agent handle your genre? Which other authors does she represent? The best source for information and introductions is those authors, of course. Minimal research would involve flipping through the annotated listings in Writer's Market, Guide to Literary Agents (both published by Writer's Digest Books), or Literary Marketplace.
• Decide what kind of qualities you want in an agent: warmth and solicitude, brisk aggression, etc.

Contacting the Agent

A one-page query letter and SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) is the norm. Agents who measure their weekly mail in cubic feet look unkindly upon unsolicited manuscripts. A good query letter has the following attributes:

• Brevity.
• If possible, a reference from someone who will be recognized by the agent, such as one of his clients. At the least, a mention of how you got his name.
• A brief description of the proposed book, including why people will want it and how much of it you are ready to send.
• A brief biography, limited to salient facts such as writing experience, qualifications pertaining to the subject matter, and previous publications.
• A paragraph on how you will help promote the book, including names of well-known authors or opinion makers who have agreed to write blurbs or, e.g., an introduction.

Establishing a Relationship

If an agent is intrigued by a query letter, she will ask the author to send a complete proposal and/or manuscript. (See How-To>Writers/The Process for the elements of a proposal.)

Some agents charge a reading fee (often refunded if they take on the client); most do not. In any case, it is very important that the manuscript, or what there is of it, be polished: copyedited, double-spaced, legibly printed, unbound, etc. Some agents provide guidelines for submissions. At this stage, authors should expect to wait a few weeks for a response. If it's positive, the agent will offer a verbal or written agreement to represent the author (see the next section: Contracts with Agents).

The author/agent relationship is (or should be) the closest in the business. Editors and publishers come and go, and in any case have limited loyalty to authors, but agents typically represent their clients for years (ideally, for life), and work closely with them from book idea to publication and beyond.

That said, it is a business relationship. The author has a right to expect the agent to:

• Be enthusiastic and thoroughgoing in trying to place the book and negotiating contracts.
• Stick to strategies discussed with the author.
• Keep the author apprised of all offers and positive responses to the work.
• Provide financial statements and copies of relevant correspondence on request.
• Return phone calls promptly.