Finding a literary agent can be as difficult as actually writing a manuscript, especially if you're unfamiliar with the business of publishing. That said, an agent can help you find an appropriate publishing house and negotiate a fair deal. With so many agents out there, however, the process of searching for one can be overwhelming. Here are some literary agent directories which I have found useful because they're easy to use and comprehensive. All helped me connect with my two literary agents, who represented my fiction and non-fiction works.
Association Of Authors' Representatives
Agents who are AAR members have to adhere to certain ethical guidelines, such as not asking clients for a fee. They are also expected to regularly make book sales in order to retain their membership. That said, when you sign with an agent who belongs to the AAR, you can be assured that the person has experience in the business and will represent you fairly. Of course, there are plenty of qualified agents who aren't AAR members, but looking through this directory is a great place to begin your search.
Agent Query
Agent Query is one of my favorite directories because it's so easy to use. You simply type in which genre you write, and it will then present you with a lengthy list of agents who represent that type of work. In addition, Agent Query provides many details for each agent, including where he or she went to school, which books he or she has recently sold, and whether or not e-mail queries are accepted from that person.
Preditors And Editors
Preditors And Editors has one of the largest lists of literary agents and lets authors know which ones are reputable and which ones have a reputation for scamming clients. The directory is frequently updated to note which agents are worth seeking out. Authors write in and share their experiences, which keeps it accurate and current.
