5 Legit Ways to Find a Literary Agent

Подписаться 46 тыс.

Просмотров 23 тыс.

50% 1

Following these legit ways to find a literary agent will help you strategically send out your query letters and boost your chances of getting a positive reply. Doing your research will show the agent you're serious about getting published and will make them more inclined to consider your book or novel. With these tips, you'll be one step closer to perfecting your query letter, getting a literary agent, and ultimately getting traditionally published!
5 LEGIT WAYS TO FIND A LITERARY AGENT:
02:05 - 1. Look at your bookshelf
04:51 - 2. Search industry databases
07:59 - 3. Attend writing events and conferences
10:22 - 4. Creep on Twitter
12:21 - 5. Surprise! An agent finds you
------------------------------
DOWNLOAD MY FREE STORY SELF-ASSESSMENT!
www.alyssamatesic.com/#freebi...
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER FEATURING WRITING/PUBLISHING EXPERTS
www.chapter-break.com/
WORK WITH ME ON YOUR STORY
www.alyssamatesic.com/profess...
------------------------------
GREAT BOOKS ABOUT WRITING/PUBLISHING:
Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer / amzn.to/3VE8dtt
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody / amzn.to/3Vyk2Bn
Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum / amzn.to/3Z4at03
SOME OF MY FAVORITE NOVELS:
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones / amzn.to/3vvWItt
Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips / amzn.to/3CFz4Pt
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid / amzn.to/3CjFFi5
------------------------------
RELATED LINKS:
Are You Really Ready for a Literary Agent?: • Are You Really Ready f...
Top 8 Turnoffs for Literary Agents: • Top 8 Turnoffs for Lit...
5 Legit Ways to Find a Literary Agent: • 5 Legit Ways to Find a...
ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with 7+ years of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey-whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.
Feel free to get in touch!
Website: www.alyssamatesic.com
View My Services: www.alyssamatesic.com/profess...
Request a Quote: www.alyssamatesic.com/inquire
Support Me: / alyssamatesic
Email: hello@alyssamatesic.com
------------------------------
MUSIC:
Chilling by HoobeZa • [No Copyright] Chill L...
Charlie Brown by Smith The Mister smiththemister.bandcamp.com
Smith The Mister bit.ly/Smith-The-Mister-YT
------------------------------
Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Хобби

Опубликовано:

25 июл 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 77

@karzanmuhammed2362 Год назад

Great information. I am a Kurdish American and I have been working as a linguist for U.S military in Iraqi Kurdistan since 2005. I almost finished writing my novel based on my experience with U.S military in Iraqi Kurdistan and my life under the tyranny Saddam Hussein. Hopefully I will find a good agent.

@davidmackie3497 Год назад

I've been finding your videos useful. Thank you!

@anthonysartori 5 месяцев назад

Another great video!

@joeboudreault4351 7 месяцев назад

The phrase that keeps popping up in your conversation is "what they are interested in..." That's one of the things I dislike about many of the younger agents - they seem only to want to represent a genre they are interested in rather than look for the skill and talent and potential of the author themselves. It's like they're on a little joyride of things that give them pleasure in reading but not really trying to help an auther. After all it's all about the author getting published not about the satisfaction of the agent's tastes.

@user-mh9ic4uq4p 3 года назад

Ah! Another great video! Thank you!

@Broofthewild 2 года назад

Thanks! Really excellent advise friend

@seetar7934 Месяц назад

Looove this!! I have so much work to do!!

@paulrobinson9087 3 года назад

Great information Alyssa, even now in the age of instant information, many still see finding a literary agent as a secret road only published authors have stumbled upon. There is no secret, of course, maybe a little luck and timing, but mainly it takes work and perseverance.

@AlyssaMatesic 3 года назад

It's so true - too many writers see it as a barrier, when it is entirely possible to score a literary agent as a new author. You just have to keep going at it.

@BrittneySamoneSilver Год назад

Thank you Alyssa!

@Victoriaearth143 Год назад

Thank you so much for explaining how to the steps to how to publish my book.

@brandonheitmann3550 3 года назад

These keep popping up on my YT algorithm now...

@VibingDino 3 месяца назад

Same here. You search up ONE video and now you see thousandw

@bethel_teklu 3 года назад

Thank you so so so much, your videos are so helpful!!!! :)

@Greed23 3 года назад

Wow this was SO useful! Thanks! I've bookmarked querytracker and manuscriptwishlist and already made a folder of a few genre-relevant agents after those tips.

@AlyssaMatesic 3 года назад

Awesome! I'm so glad you were able to put the tips to use.

@elizabethperkins2502 Год назад

this was so helpful!!! thank you!!!!

@digiminer 2 года назад

Wow, what a slam dunk find. I shall have to thank you in the acknowledgments when I get published

@AlyssaMatesic 2 года назад

Haha, thank you for the kind comment! Best of luck with the publishing process!

@rowan7929 3 года назад

Yes, querytracker has been very good and found many agents there that represent my genre. Also checked out some of the books and took a note of the agents the author mentioned. Sadly, some are not suitable. Unfortunately where I live, I can't attend any conferences as 1. no agents in Australia seem to support fantasy and 2. the nearest one would be 3000km away. Good video as it was a reminder for me what to look for once my latest book is ready, and the letter you have provided for me. You added some nice details in it which should hopefully get more responses, even if it's a rejection.

@AlyssaMatesic 3 года назад

Sounds like you're definitely on the right path! So happy I was able to be a part of it!

@rowan7929 3 года назад

@@AlyssaMatesic Editing should be done by the end of the month and the agent hunting begins.

@beny9253 3 года назад

Been really enjoying these last few videos. I think there's a lot out there on writing and editing that's very useful but this stuff on the publishing end has been super helpful and stands out. Thank you so much!

@AlyssaMatesic 3 года назад

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!

@clearfield2009 3 года назад

Thanks for this. Great videos. 💥👍‼️💥‼️🙏

@TheBobby2legs Год назад

At this rate I’m gonna have to include you in my acknowledgment page, such a simple solution to finding the right agent never occurred to me. Off to my bookshelf I go, thank you.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for commenting!

@andyclark3530 2 года назад

Late to the party here, but I'm glad I found this. However, I fear I may have sustained an injury from the palm slap to the forehead I dealt myself when you mentioned browsing a bookstore! Probably a great way to find potential comps too. Thank you for your gift of time and knowledge and may the words always be your friends.

@AlyssaMatesic 2 года назад

Haha, it's so obvious it's easily forgotten! Best of luck with the querying process!

@nativechique7589 Год назад

Right, I'm a native American author n didntveven think to look at other native authors books I have 😂

@OscarPerez-dy8or Год назад

Thanks!

@toryhunterbooks 3 года назад

I finally get to follow you on Twitter!!!

@AlyssaMatesic 3 года назад

Ah, thanks so much! Just recently reactivated :)

@danielmartin8913 3 года назад

Great info here, Alyssa. I'm surprised you didn't mention the hard copy Writers' Market books under point two. Back when I knew squat about agencies, the index in my (2016!) edition was a useful baseline, if not a little inaccurate here-and-there. I think there may have been some drama with WM after it was acquired by another company; any deets you have would be appreciated. You're right about the agent pitching, as well. It's not a guarantee of anything, but I reckon it to online dating. Real life face time can often go a lot further than many online smileys. It's also TERRIFYING the first time, and I'm an ENFJ. For anyone crafting a pitch, they should do some research on the topic, really work at crafting it the same as if they were doing a query, and practice the pitch-which is spoken-with people they know well enough to trust looking a fool in front of. Basically, you need to be able to encapsulate the main tension and beats of the story well enough to get over that first hump. Once the agent sees that the book's main plumb line doesn't suck, then you can speak more freely with them, and you'll see that these people became agents because they love great stories and want to represent great writers. Another thing I found helpful in building connections is to network with local and state professional writing groups. I was involved with two (one informal but very visible and busy, the other statewide and professional) while living in Salt Lake City, and they were tremendously helpful in giving me opportunities to work alongside literary professionals or other well-connected folks. I would tell anyone who has professional aspirations and is ready for that step to get to know these sorts of people in their area by showing up to writers' meetings, attending local and annual conferences, and paying the fifty bucks a year to be a formal member. I got to present at conferences where writers earning "quit your job money" from book sales were listening to ME, coming up to ME to ask clarifying questions about my presentation (Keanu Reeves "whoa" face). The literary world can be surprisingly small once you get to know people's names, and provided you're not a jerk, that's almost always a good thing. Thanks again Alyssa! DRM

@AlyssaMatesic 3 года назад

At least in my perspective, these days, online databases are more up-to-date than any print directories. And I'm not sure how they go about determining which agents to include, so it's possible they're not entirely comprehensive. I always reckon finding a literary agent to dating - or interviewing for a job (which is also much like dating). It can be daunting and stressful, but it truly is about finding the right match. I love the suggestion about writing groups and getting involved in your local lit community, thanks so much for sharing!

@danielmartin8913 3 года назад

Thanks for replying, I know that comment was a bear.

@shaunmcmichael6386 2 года назад

Thanks for this thoughtful video, Alyssa. My pain point with your first point is that I worry that by the time a book hits the shelf, the agent in it is looking for something else. To add to your database list, I use Duotrope. It's 5 bucks a month and it has small press searches too. 🤗 Cheers, S

@AlyssaMatesic 2 года назад

Haha, that's a valid worry to have! But if you mention to the agent that you liked that specific project, they will likely still enjoy your project--after all, they signed it on because they loved it! And thanks for the rec!

@haydongonzalez-dyer2727 2 месяца назад

Nice

@BandersnatchGlass 2 года назад

Thank you!

@AlyssaMatesic 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed the video :)

@BandersnatchGlass 2 года назад

@@AlyssaMatesic I really have been enjoying your content! I’ve been writing my book/s for 17 years now. Im finally at a point where I can start learning about the story’s endgame. This information simply wasn’t available on RU-vid the last time I checked. Thank you for your time and effort, this content is extremely valuable. I’m really looking forward to learning more from you!

@christinabriggs1782 5 месяцев назад

Love this. I'm in the beta reader phase right now, and it'll be a bit before I get the point of pitching, but thank you so much for this awesome information. Much needed for me. This is gold. 😁👍💯

@AlyssaMatesic 5 месяцев назад

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for commenting!

@VibingDino 3 месяца назад

How did you manage to find beta readers? It’s been difficult for me to find any.

@jay12120 Месяц назад

This vid is very helpful! Should someone self publish their book and then try to get it published, or no?

@BrittneySamoneSilver Год назад

Do you have/can you make a video on the best ways to find writing conferences?

@StatmanRN Год назад

There is probably a niche market for someone...a "matchmaker" for potential clients and agents. Would probably require lots of experience contacts and networking to establish but would be invaluable to those overwhelmed at the prospect.

@racist_in_recovery2040 2 года назад

In another video, you recommend sending queries to the newer agents. How do you know to pursue big time agents or newer agents?

@Westerdahl42 9 месяцев назад

Hi Alyssa. Thanks for this great information. I'm researching this subject for my 92 year old father who has written and self-published a charming book about falling in love with my mother in small-town America during WWII. Will the fact that he's already self-published his book affect the potential interest of a literary agent?

@arthurlawrence4890 2 года назад

How do you find writing conference's?

@dr.zombie_noodles7077 8 месяцев назад

Where do you find writing conferences and pitch sessions?

@jessicalazarus7524 Год назад

Do you have a video for someone like me… I did not go to school for writing. I wrote a rhyming kids book on the notes app on my phone and have read it aloud to basically everyone I know and they all say I need to get it published. The thought of other kids reading it and laughing like my kids did when I read it to them gives me chills of excitement! But I have no idea what to do next. I don’t know anything about manuscripts or publishing or literary agents etc. How do I even know if it’s good enough TO publish (aside from everyone I know personally telling me it is) please help!

@AllenAdrianTompkins 2 года назад

Do children picture book writers need to draw their own work? And do English creative writing poetry graduates need and literary agent in the market today?

@annpippin6388 Год назад

Manuscript accepted if copyrighted I wonder .

@poisonshift78 9 месяцев назад

What if I write in several different genres? I've written horror, sci-fi and fantasy.

@PeterLevitan Год назад

Smart. Articulate. Informative. … Triumvirate.

@karzanmuhammed2362 Год назад

Is 13000 words Okay for historical novel?

@DalCecilRuno 3 года назад

Hi Alyssa. Partially blind writer here. "go to your bookshelf" Uh-huh, I listen to ahdiobooks and the acknowledgements aren't mentioned in this book format. I suppose I can ask my friends? Oh well. "Query tracker & Manuscript wishlist" I tried. Those sites aren't very accessible and I can't afford query tracker right now. The free version isn't that helpful. The agent I am aiming for at this moment, I did a deep research and even read some of the books on her list of represented authors. "Attend writing conferences" eeeeh, I'm in Argentina....and I can't afford the prices of those conferences. Well, I'm screwed with this suggestion. I don't see an alternative in this one. "Twitter" I'm trying my best, and yes, I use Twitter to research the agent months before I query them. But it's rare that I find an agent who represents the genre I'm writing so, I'm kind of alone even on Twitter. "Agent finds you" Hahah, not gonna happen.

@AlyssaMatesic 3 года назад

I'm sorry to hear you've been hitting a roadblock and hope you find a path forward.

@smokinggnu6584 Месяц назад

Point 1 doesn't apply to me, sadly. Had to sell my entire library a few years ago because of budget reasons and have been unable to aquire new books because of it as well since then.

@lorraine6947 3 года назад

I rarely see an acknowledgement page in my comp books. And when I, do there is never an agent's name mentioned. So that doesn't work in agent search.

@malcolmgarcia4181 2 года назад

When there’s no acknowledgment page in a book that I reckon is comparable, I Google the author’s name and “literary agent”. Sometimes results are easy to come by, other times you might find the agent mentioned in an interview by that author. Good luck!

@gloriannaarias392 Год назад

Do you critique query letters?

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

I do! Check out my full list of services here: www.alyssamatesic.com/professional-book-editing-services#professional-book-editing-services-13

@kennethmatthew9638 Год назад

I don't like reading unless it's history. I'm on old school tv guy like twilight zone or tales from the crypt. Reading takes too much time

@helenederadecampbell Год назад

What is DM?

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Direct message!

@davidlohrey4793 Год назад

I wonder where one can ask you questions. You often invite questions.

@AlyssaMatesic Год назад

Right here in the comments section! I also have a series on my channel called #AskMeAnything!, where you can also ask questions in the comments section.

@andyapricot4104 2 года назад

5:03

@joneno57 2 года назад

Is there bias today toward white conservative male writers? I have no string of letters behind my profile either. I've had others tell me if a lit agency does take a second look at your query they filter you through social media first. Don't know if this is true or not.

@NR-rv8rz Год назад

I don't like the idea of speed dating agents to pitch your book. It seems to me that they are going to be more swayed by the personal charisma of the writer than the idea and writing. It all sounds so desperate.