I need help finding an agent for publishing my second novel - how do I find a legitimate agent?

[Laura]

Okay, so a few things.
I have already published a book, so I'm aware of the publication process and I'm aware you don't NEED an agent to publish a book. I also know that it will be difficult to find a willing author in this economy.
Please, unless you actually KNOW don't answer this. I know that I could easily type "agents" into an internet search box and find a slew of them, but I'm more concerned with knowing sources to find LEGITIMATE agents - not just any type.

[cathrl69]

I'd advise you to go take a look on the forums at absolutewrite. It's kinda difficult to advise you when you don't even say which continent you live on.

If you've published a book, why don't you just ask your current agent, or go direct to the publisher - didn't they option your second book anyway? Or maybe you vanity published it - in which case a little less bragging is in order.

[David]

Preditors and Editors rates agents and publishers. Type the name into your search engine, then take the link to Anotherealm.com. They use rating like Highly Recommended or Strongly Not Recommended, and generally give reasons when they do not recommend someone.

[Ashcan]

Pop down to your Library and have look at the latest edition of Writers and Artists yearbook. I would advise you buy a copy it is a good read. It lists lots of agents. Plus you can search back copies and see how long the agent as been around. Longevity doesn't guarantee that they are good, but it reduces the risk of them being useless. It also marks which ones are members of the Literary Agents Association, again not a guarantee but a good guideline.

The listings tell you what type of book the agent deals with, and some even tell you a few named authors they handle.

This advice applies for the States, plus some European and Commonwealth countries, as well as Britain of course.

[S.K.]

Identify agents who have sold novels like yours by going to bookstores and writing down titles, authors, and publishers of the books in your genre. All of them.

Get online and try to determine which agent brokered the deal for each book. You can find other agents seeking work in your genre through “Writer's Market” and “Literary Marketplace” (US) or “Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook” (UK). Check the publisher listings, too, which will include “agented submissions only” or not. (Maybe you don’t even need an agent.)

Research each agent as extensively as you can. Find websites with career history, sales, personal bio, blogs and/or twitter, AAR membership, etc. Determine whether they prefer email or regular mail for queries. Check the client list and make sure you have at least a passing familiarity with the authors who write in your genre.

Your research should include a visit to Preditors and Editors and one to the Bewares and Background Checks board at AbsoluteWrite. Figure out who’s a good fit for you. Don’t be afraid to aim high. The worst that can happen is they say no--and most will.

Write a one-page query letter, tailoring it to individual agents based on the information you got from research, and send it to the few agents you'd most like to represent you, via the means they prefer (email, paper) and with the attachments or enclosures requested. If the query letter is really good and you've done your homework well, at least some will ask for a partial or full manuscript. If none does, rewrite the query before sending out the next batch.

Reputable agents charge the author nothing, so any agent who asks for a payment, for any reason whatsoever, is not legitimate.