So, you want to be published? Tip #2: Find an agent
When I first asked my mentor, Dr. Earl Stevick, what he wished someone had told him before he published his first book, he didn’t hesitate:
“Find an agent.”
That advice changed the trajectory of my publishing life. But the point of this column isn’t the agent Earl sent me to—that story belongs to him. The point is that every author, at some stage, needs someone who knows the terrain better than they do. And in the world of publishing, that person is often an agent.
Agents are not gatekeepers. They are translators, advocates, strategists, and partners. They help you navigate a system that is complex, relationship‑driven, and often opaque from the outside.
If you want to publish traditionally, finding the right agent is one of the most consequential decisions you will make.
Where to Look for an Agent
You don’t find an agent by wandering the internet or sending cold emails into the void. You find them by going where agents actually look for authors.
1. Literary Marketplaces and Directories
Resources like the Literary Marketplace or Publishers Marketplace list:
- Agents by specialty
- Submission guidelines
- Recent deals
- Areas of interest
These directories help you identify who is active in your field—not just who exists.
2. Writers’ Conferences
Agents attend conferences for one reason:
to meet authors who are serious enough to show up.
At conferences, you can:
- Hear agents speak about what they’re looking for
- Attend pitch sessions
- Learn how they think and what they value
- Make a human connection that stands out from the slush pile
3. Professional Networking
Your field is a community. Use it.
- Ask colleagues who have published who represented them
- Pay attention to acknowledgments pages in books you admire
- Join professional associations where agents sometimes scout talent
Agents are far more likely to consider a writer who comes through a trusted referral or a professional context.
What to Look for in an Agent
Not all agents are the same. And not every agent is right for every author.
Look for someone who:
1. Represents your genre or field
An agent who sells romance novels is not the right agent for a scholarly book on bilingual education.
Find someone who knows your corner of the market.
2. Has a track record of actual sales
Not promises. Not enthusiasm.
Sales.
Preferably to publishers you respect.
3. Communicates clearly and professionally
You want someone who:
- Responds in a timely manner
- Explains their strategy
- Is transparent about expectations
4. Understands your goals
Some authors want a long-term career.
Some want a single book.
Some want to build a platform.
Your agent should understand—and support—your vision.
5. Feels like a partner, not a boss
You are not hiring an agent to tell you who to be.
You are hiring an agent to help you become the author you already are.
What to Expect from an Agent
A good agent will:
- Help you refine your proposal or manuscript
- Position your book strategically in the marketplace
- Submit your work to editors they know personally
- Negotiate contracts
- Protect your rights
- Advocate for you when problems arise
- Think long-term about your writing career
What they will not do:
- Write the book for you
- Guarantee a sale
- Manage your day-to-day writing life
An agent is a partner, not a magician.
How to Approach an Agent
Approaching an agent is an act of both confidence and humility. You must hold both at once.
Lead with seriousness
Agents want to work with authors who treat writing as real work.
You don’t need to be full-time, but you do need to be committed.
Know your credibility
Ask yourself:
- What expertise do I bring?
- What lived experience informs my work?
- Why am I the right person to write this book?
Agents want to know what you bring to the partnership.
Be humble, but not self-effacing
You are not begging for a favor.
You are proposing a collaboration.
Be prepared
Before you reach out, have:
- A polished query
- A clear description of your project
- A sense of your audience
- A professional tone
Be respectful of their time
Follow submission guidelines exactly.
Agents notice authors who can follow directions.
The Bottom Line
Finding an agent is not about luck.
It’s about clarity, preparation, and professionalism.
An agent cannot make you a writer.
But the right agent can help you become a published author with a sustainable, meaningful career.
And just like a mentor, an agent is not simply a step in the process—they are a relationship that can shape your entire writing life.
Read more posts in this series HERE.
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