A question about Literary Agents?

Question

I'm currently looking for a literary agent and only have one available in my area. This particular agent charges a reading fee, which I've heard is a unscrupulous red flag. Is it necessary for an Author to use a local agent, or can they do business in different states? How often is it necessary to meet your agent in person?

Answer 1

Agents work best when they can get to publishers. They never have to meet you face to face to work with you, although it's a nice bonus.

And yes, red flag on the reading fee. Run away!

Location is completely unimportant for you to work with an agent. Check out the latest copy of Writers Market and start researching agents who can best represent your writing to publishers. Not the ones who are closest.

Answer 2

Misty,

Get a copy of Writer's Market for the current year. You'll find literary agents from all over the country. No, you don't need an agent from your area. Legit agents do not charge a reading fee. This is more than likely a scam to get the writer to pay the fee and then end up turning their book down for representation.

Go online and check with Preditors and Editors. (They spell predators incorrectly on purpose by the way.)

Many of the agents will allow you to send a query letter via email. As with writing it in letter form, just make sure it's formatted properly and there are no errors in spelling or grammar.

Once again, you can go online and see how these letters are set up by various people.

Good luck!

PJ M

Answer 3

My wife is having to deal with this.

look up Literary Agents.com, also writer's.net.

U can do business in different states, NY is the best I think.

But beware of reading fees, legitimate agents don't have up front fees of any kind. They do get a fee about 15% once u r published as a part of their payment in getting u published.

Also beware of people saying they can get u published for a fee.