Everything you ever wanted to know about literary agents

[pegkerr]

Neil Gaiman got the perennial question ("How do I get a good agent?" if you didn't know), and he asked Teresa Nielsen Hayden http://www.nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/ (tnh on LJ) who obligingly and kindly replied with an astonishing comprehensive spate of information. I have added it to my memories, and I pass it on as a public service to you. Thanks mucho, Neil and Teresa!

Comments

[madlori.livejournal.com]

This was very useful, Peg. Thanks! My followup question would be - sure, it makes perfect sense to say that you shouldn't get an agent until you have an offer, but how does one get an offer when most of the publishing houses won't accept unagented submissions?

[kate_nepveu]

Query, and once they say, "yes, we'd love to see a manuscript," you are no longer unsolicited.

[cornfields.livejournal.com]

That's great information. I'm sure you published folks are sick of hearing the "How do I get published" question ten times a day (or more). A direct link to Neil's post should take care of that from now on! :)

[william-mize.livejournal.com]

I think I just found my boilerplate email to answer the unsolicited "how do I get an agent?" or "do you like your agent?" emails I get each month.

Yay you!