Topic of the Week: How Did You Get Your Agent?

[anywherebeyond]

Recently, carrie_ryan attended a convention, and wrote up her reaction to some of the advice for fledging writers here. If I may quote:

One thing that really stuck out to me: a few people (and some of them well published authors) said that the best was to get an agent was to go to cons. Now, while I agree that you can make some great connections at

Comments

[rj_anderson]

I went to two conventions before I was agented, and the connections I made there enabled me to send a partial to one agent and a full to another. Both turned the book down.

I didn't get my agent until I'd done two rounds of uncontracted revisions for an editor who was interested in my debut novel but thought it still needed some work. During this process she recommended me to an agent I could never have contacted otherwise, someone who only looked at manuscripts by referral from editors and other agents.

That particular agent "liked, but didn't love" my manuscript, but she felt positive enough about my writing to give me a referral to another agency she thought might be a better fit for me -- and she was right. Less than a week after receiving my ms., Adams Literary called and offered representation.

So the chain went editor-->agent-->my agent. No conferences involved.

What made the biggest difference for me, I think, is that I gritted my teeth, swallowed my disappointment, and did my best to respond in a professional and appreciative way even when an editor or agent told me my ms. needed more work or even outright rejected it. Keeping a positive attitude and friendly tone to all my dealings with editors and agents led to opportunities and referrals that I would never have gotten otherwise.

[anywherebeyond]

Dude the attitude makes SUCH a difference. You've read those horror stories about people who write back to argue with agents who have rejected them. Look how much further you can go with a professional and upbeat approach!