A literary agent is one of the few pedestals writers try to aim for. With even more publishers requiring an agent before taking on a client, finding an agent to represent your work is the first step to becoming published. Now, while authors should mail out query letters to their chosen agents, a select few have been found by the agent before they went looking. This kind of luck has something to do with how the stars are aligned and what day of the week it is. It’s completely random and comes down to the individual agent and what the writer is working on.
So, if you aren’t sending out query letters, how else can agents find your work? The answers may surprise you.
Personal blog or website
Agents strive to find the perfect authors for their list, the kind of writer that has similar tastes and passions. One of the best ways to get into a writer’s heart and mind, is through a personal blog. While this will rarely happen, an agent may come across a sample of work they like. When this happens, they may get in touch with the author, voice their interest and ask for a partial or full manuscript, when it’s done. Think of your blog as a way to pitch to agents twenty-four seven.
Facebook and social networking
Even if you cannot fit too much writing on Facebook, agents have also found potential writers through this, as well as other means of social networking. The biggest thing any writer must realize, is that you never know who’s watching or reading what you post. If you keep the quality up, don’t spam and still post on a regular basis, you may get lucky. Again, this may never happen, which is why you should still get your query letter ready. However, being visible in as many ways as possible will work for you and not against you.
Writing Communities
If you’re a part of sites for writers, especially ones such as Scribd, Inkpop and Authonomy, posting your best work is essential. Granted, these sites were created so writers could network and share their work. Over the years, sites such as this have become something more. Since Inkpop and Authonomy are run by large publishing houses, there’s that small chance that your story could get picked up. Agents know this and may frequent sites such as this. In fact, quite a few writers have been contacted by agents because of a post they wrote on sites like Absolute Write. Never underestimate your own online presence.
As stated before, planning, writing and sending a query letter is best. It’s rare for agents to reach out to writers. However, if your writing is strong and pulls them the right way, you could have a partial or full request in your future. By having an online presence, you can build an audience for your work, including agents. Just remember to post your best work and to give warning if it’s a first draft.
Nicole Thomas - I've been writing for Suite 101 since 2010 and focus on topics such as publishing, online branding, marketing and self employment. These ...
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