Finding the Right Literary Agent

“I seek a literary agent. What qualities should I look out for?” is a question I get asked frequently, and my answer to the writer is always: “What qualities are you personally looking for?”

For example, some authors may go to agents mainly because of establishment – and to secure that five- to eight-figure book deal – however that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a great connection. The relationship could eventually be short-term simply because it was based on just monetary values.

This is why there are many authors who go from agent to agent, because they feel the agent doesn’t really care about them. Writers must remember the agent is doing their job; the author initially came to them for a book deal, and that is what they are providing.

However, I believe there should be more to the author-agent relationship than just book deals. As a writer, you want to have someone you can discuss ideas with; someone who believes in you and your brand, even if the publishers don’t. Success can happen to anyone at any given moment.

Here are some tips I believe are important when seeking out an agent or manager:

Good reputation: Just because a person or a company is established doesn’t mean they have integrity or a good reputation. Many authors want to go to what they see as an ‘established’ company – a company that may have connections with the CEO or director of the publishing house. This is all well and good, but what about their character and morals?

Even the Bible states in Proverbs 22:1, ‘Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.’People can become ‘established’ simply because of who they know, yet they themselves can be of questionable character.

The secular way of thinking used to be that you couldn’t be successful and have good character, that “This is a dog-eat-dog world”, but you most certainly can have good character and be successful – God’s way.

Connection: Do you believe you can connect with this person? Do you feel they believe in you and your brand and will assist you in taking your career to the next level? Even if it takes longer than expected to get a book deal – which it sometimes can – will you still want to be with that agent or manager? Even book editors have some form of connection with the author, and this is important, as they are working on the book together. If they feel uncomfortable with each other, it will affect the outcome of the project.

This may not matter if you just want the agent to sell your manuscript. You will discover, though, that those who have a divine connection with their agent or manager tend to have a great long-term relationship. When God is at the centre of your decisions, it really does become a divine encounter.

Short- or long-term agent: Now, as a writer, you may be thinking, “Of course I want an agent or manager for the long-term”, but your actions may prove otherwise. In the past, I represented an author who was upset with me because she thought I wasn’t getting a book deal quickly enough.

She told me in an email she was moving to another agent. Little did she know, however, that a deal finally came through, and on the very day she sent the email I was going to call to inform her of the good news. But I didn’t inform her; I just let her go. And apologised to the publisher.

After two months she left the new agent and came back to me, wanting representation again. I refused and then told her about the book deal I’d secured for her. The connection and trust were no longer there.

To me, this author was just looking for a short-term business relationship. She wasn’t looking for agent qualities, such as reputation and connection. Where I thought a long-term connection had been established, it hadn’t been.

Be honest with yourself. What type of agent do you really want? One where it is just business, or one you can connect and be with for the long haul? The decision is yours. As you ponder, remember this Bible verse from Psalm 37:23, ‘The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.’

Happy writing

Vanessa Grossett