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Looking for a traditional publishing contract?

You need a literary agent.

A good agent will work hard to sell your book to a publisher and negotiate a larger advance and better contract than you would for yourself.

What’s more, many editors – particularly those at the biggest publishers – prefer working with agents. They know that agents filter out work that isn’t publishable by vetting the author’s book concept and writing in advance.

They also know that agents speak the lingo and understand the process. There’s no need to educate them on the process or what to expect.

An agent is your publishing advocate

In addition, without an agent, an author has no advocate when it comes to contract negotiations.

The publisher generates the publishing contract, which by nature focuses on that company’s best interests.

Do you know enough about book publishing agreements to negotiate a fair and balanced contract for yourself?

No?

Then keep in mind that a literary agent works to get the best deal for the author, because that’s also the best deal for the agent.

Free literary agent databases

Now that you know you need an agent, here are six free literary agent databases that will help you find one along with a few other helpful resources.

The databases are listed in alphabetical order. Click on the database name to go to the resource.

1. AgentQuery

This free database is one of the largest searchable resources available. Search it by keyword, nonfiction genre, and fiction genre.

The site’s detailed advice on how to write an agent query letter includes helpful examples.

2. Association of American Literary Agents 

This trade group formerly known as the Association of Authors’ Representatives lets you search its member database by agent name and genre/category. To search, select “Find an Agent” in the upper right.

Members must meet experience requirements and adhere to its ethics code. I find this reassuring.

3. List of Literary Agents

You have to provide your email address to get access to this database.

Do that by registering using the form on the right under the stock photo of people who don’t look like literary agents. On the confirmation page, click the large “enter” button on the right . Once you “enter” the membership area, select “The Directory of Literary Agents.”

There, use the drop-down menu to search for your fiction or nonfiction genre/category to get a list of agents.

4. Manuscript Wish List

I love this resource. It has a clean and simple look and everything is written with a smile.

Skip right to “The Comprehensive Search and Query Guide” to get instructions for all of your search options on one page. Easy, easy, easy, thanks to the editors.

5. Poets & Writers Literary Agent Database

It’s a three-step process.

First, select from a list of 32 genres and categories that starts with autobiography/memoir and ends with young adult. Then select whether you want agents that allow electronic submissions (of course you do). Then hit “filter.”

This resource seems particularly useful for fiction authors.

6. QueryTracker

One of Writer’s Digest’s top websites for 15 years (including 2023), QueryTracker gives you free access to a searchable database of more than 1,600 agents. The only requirement is that you join the site by providing your email address.

Free membership also includes query tracking tools.

Other resources for finding a literary agent

You don’t need to limit your search to these literary agent databases, either. Other options include:

• Publishers Marketplace (pay the $25 monthly fee only during months you’re searching for an agent)
• Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 
• Guide to Literary Agents 30th Edition: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published 
• Ask author colleagues who write in your genre to introduce you to their agents (and don’t get annoyed if they decline)

One of my favorite methods is to read the acknowledgements of similar books to find out if the author thanked the agent (they usually do). The agent is likely to be open to more projects and proposals in that genre or category or about that topic.

(As you write that mandatory nonfiction book proposal to share with prospective agents, be sure to use our free Book Marketing Plan Template and instructions to help you craft the essential marketing section.)

Just remember: If your book is good enough to get a contract with a legacy book publisher that pays advances, ignore the voices around you saying, “You don’t need an agent!”

Because you do.

Do you have a literary agent? How did you find yours? Tell us in a comment! 

(Editor’s note: This article was first published in February 2019. It has been updated and expanded.)

My blog post two weeks ago shared insights into how traditional publishing works and noted that if you want to pursue a traditional publishing contract, you’ll probably need a literary agent.

A literary agent’s primary job is to sell your book to a publisher for the most favorable terms possible. Sometimes they help shape your proposal or manuscript to make it as marketable as possible before they “pitch” it.

Contrary to what you might see online or in groups, you don’t “hire” an agent. You “contract” with one. An agent works on commission, which means they aren’t paid until both parties sign a contract and the publisher pays the first amount due.

Because this is typically a commission-only sales job, literary agents need to be very, very selective about the people and projects they take on.

With this in mind, I asked literary agent Amy Collins to talk about what she does and offer advice on working with agents.

Introducing Amy Collins

Amy Collins, now an agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services, is one of my absolute favorite people in life and in the publishing business.

Amy has more than 30 years of experience matching books with readers. A former book buyer, publisher, sales director, and owner of New Shelves Books, she now represents many authors who have signed deals with major publishers.

Amy also teaches classes on querying and creating great proposals for Writers Digest. If you’re at a conference where Amy’s speaking, get to her session early and be prepared to take notes. She’s an entertaining and engaging speaker with something important to say to authors.

Behind the scenes with a literary agent

I know you love being a literary agent. Tell us why.

I have always enjoyed research, making new friends, and matching books with readers. For 30 years, I sold books to bookstores and libraries. Now, as an agent, I use my sales talent to help an author find a perfect fit at a publishing house. It is a joy to help authors achieve their dream of a publishing deal.

As an agent, I am constantly getting to meet talented editors and work with them to find clever ways to get my author’s books in front of as many people as possible.

What sorts of authors and projects do you represent — what’s your sweet spot?

My main focus is science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. As for nonfiction, I work with books in the following categories: cookbooks, pop culture, and cultural reference.

I caution authors that I would not be a great agent for memoir, children’s, or business books. I have some clients who also write mystery, thriller, and children’s books, but I tend not to look specifically for them.

What’s your best client success story?

I love TikTok, and while scrolling one day, I was charmed by a young woman named Devrie Brynn Donalson. She was looking straight into the camera, telling the viewer that they were a hot mess and “good for us.” She raved and ranted and had me laughing so hard I had to catch my breath.

I sent her a message and asked if she had ever considered writing a book. Well, she had. She wanted very much to write a book. She and I spent a few months getting to know each other and developing book ideas. After a while, we felt confident we would work together well.

I put together the proposal, Devrie wrote the book, and I started pitching to publishers. We had interest in less than a week, and within a month, we had a wonderful offer. Blackstone will publish the book early next year.

How about a project disappointment — a book that didn’t find the home you thought it would, or that everyone had high hopes for but it didn’t find its audience?

Two years ago, one of my first clients had a terrific book. We got an offer and publishing deal that thrilled us all. I was sure the book would be a bestseller and sell like gangbusters.

At the same time, another client wrote a gorgeous novel, and I started pitching it that same month, expecting to have an offer within six months. In both cases, I am afraid that my expectations were way off. The nonfiction book sold well, but not enough to make the publisher or author happy. The novel is still one of my favorites, and I will not give up until I have found it a home.

But it is quite disappointing for the author to see my other clients get offers and published while she waits.

What do you look for in an author and a project — what makes you think you’ve got a winner?

I look for an author who has a LOT of books in them. I love the idea of helping an author navigate their career, not just one book. I can tell within a few moments if the writing is “my style.”

I need to really love the book I am working with, or it will not be a good fit.

I do not charge for any of my time or work. Agents only get paid once the book sells. If I am going spend months and years working with authors on a book’s editing, pitching, contracts, marketing, launch, and series as well as audio and international rights? I had better love it.

That being said? I do not depend solely on my personal taste. I love books I discovered when I was 30. I read and reread them and love them. But they would not sell today to 30-year-olds. I have to remember that my taste is not everyone’s taste.

My job as an agent is to match my client’s style with the right editor and publishing house. Thank goodness not everyone has my taste in books.

What’s the one thing you want to see in a message from an author who wants you to represent them?

I love to see in the message that the author understands how publishing works. If they mention a conference they attended or organizations they belong to, that is great. I love to see the word count and genre early in the email.

But mainly? Less is more. I do not need much to become willing to read a few pages. If the genre and premise fit the kind of book I represent? I will happily read a few pages.

What are some of the common mistakes authors make when approaching literary agents?

Not knowing the current successful authors in their genre and making claims that their book is unique. (It rarely is.) Another misstep is when I ask for a plot synopsis or plot outline; they do not have it ready. (Agents will need this eventually, so have it ready.)

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

The advice I give most often is to read books that are being published today and in your genre. Book pacing and writing styles change over time, and staying current is essential. If you are selling a book in 2023, your book needs to appeal to readers in 2023.

Thanks so much to Amy for sharing her insights with us!

Years ago, I generated so much global publicity for a subscription newsletter I created that I didn’t have to look for a literary agent for the book version of the newsletter – agents started calling me. That media exposure generated my first agent and book contract.

That’s just one reason why I’m always nudging you to get media attention. The exposure can be priceless.

To help with that, my author publicity course, Get Quoted: A Journalist’s Strategies for Using HARO to Snag Book Publicity, focuses on the single easiest way to get news media attention that can help build your author career. Get the details at https://build-book-buzz.teachable.com/p/get-quoted .

I also created Build Book Buzz Publicity Forms & Templates to help you write and use the most common publicity documents – pitch letters, press releases, sample Q&As, etc.– that you’ll use when seeking author and book publicity. Learn more about this collection of templates and real-world samples at https://build-book-buzz.teachable.com/p/build-book-buzz-publicity-forms-templates .

Get out there and get known. It can help you and your work be discovered by the right people … people like literary agent Amy Collins. 

Got questions about working with a literary agent? Please ask them in a comment.