Writing Revelations 3: Making an Agent List

So you've finished that novel, now what? I'm still in the middle of the process myself, but I've decided to combine my last few months of learning into a super-ultra-quick-start on how to begin the agent hunting process! Like anything worthwhile, agent hunting takes time—lots of it! Good thing you like reading, because you are going to be doing a lot of it! But if you end up published, all that research will have been worth it, right? RIGHT. --->

Writing Revelations: Where to Begin?

Making an Agent List

In order to pitch your book, you need to have someone to pitch it to. Start off by compiling a list of literary agents. The websites below (Agent Query and Query Tracker) are great resources for building your list. As far as I can tell, neither include any agents or agencies in their databases that haven’t been cleared by Predators and Editors. 

The rule of thumb to avoid a scammer: if an agent asks for money outside of postage, they are not a real agent). If you are interested, read more at Writer Beware!

To build your agent list use these two websites: 

Query Tracker

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Agent Query

Things to keep in mind when making a list:

• Do not just throw your query at every agent email you find.Only pitch to people who actually represent your genre (make sure you utilize the search options to refine your hunt). You don't want to waste your time, or theirs.
• Google agents on your list. A lot of agents have blogs and Twitter accounts. There are also plenty of agent interviews! Get to know a little about your potential partner in crime! You can find interviews at Mother. Write. (Repeat.) and here Writer's Digest. Read as much as you can on each individual agent you are considering. Yes, agents are real people--with individual tastes and everything!  Take the time to read up on the people you are emailing. It takes time, and sometimes some digging, but read agent interviews, and see if your work will click on a level deeper than simply genre.
•  In case you still aren't convinced, here's an example: agents X and Y both represent science-fiction. I should query them both right? Oh wait, on an interview agent X says he likes whimsical science-fiction. On Twitter agent Y says she likes the darker side when it comes to science-fiction. My sci-fi is pretty dark. So yeah, I would have a better chance querying agent Y!
• Read about the agencies as well as the agents.
• Use Publisher's Marketplace / Agent Query/Query Tracker/the agent's website/blog/the agency's website to see what books the agent has represented. This will give you an idea of what an agent is interested in, and how far some of their books have gone. Also look up their clients. How easy are their books to find? Do they have a good online presence?
• Keep up to date with agent blogs and Twitter. Twitter is an excellent resource. Agents will let you know on there if they are backed up and having to clear out their inboxes. They will also let you know about contests, and if they are searching for something particular. Best of all they will post tips on how to properly query, and how NOT to query. 
• Make your list as detailed as possible! Query Tracker can generate response times, so you don't have to be biting your nails that your email wasn't received after 2 weeks if that particular agent generally takes 6 weeks to respond.
• Make your list as big as you want. My list is up to around 80, but so far there are only 4 or 5 agents I know enough about to query.
• Consider newer agents. They are just starting to build their client lists. Don't write them off because they have no bestsellers--yet. You don't want to be written off just because you are a new writer. Jump on these especially if they work for amazing houses. You're also more likely to get a request from a new agent (again, Query Tracker has statistics you should look at), which will be good for your confidence even if it leads nowhere.
• You can pitch to an infinite number of agents at once, but only one agent per house at a time.
• Some houses have policies where if you are rejected by one, you are rejected by all. So you really have to choose your most likely candidate carefully.
• Make notes. Rank your agents (you can even give them categories: A, B, C!). You should have some clear standouts (A+!).
• Make sure you know what materials each individual agent requests, and how they like their queries. Some like a personal touch, others are all business. Some will request sample chapters, others synopses (some 1 page, others detailed 5 pagers). Make sure you have the right material specified by each agent. Follow their rules to maximize your chances!
• Let the internet take you away! Read as much as you can!

That's how you make a list! How I did at any rate! Now you get to write that amazing query, and probably several synopses! Lucky you!=)

Happy hunting!