Guide to Literary Agents 2005 (Guide to Literary Agents)

Rating:
Summary: Newly Revamped and a Must If You're Searching for an Agent
Review: Finding an agent is one of the most challenging pursuits you'll encounter as a writer. The 2005 Guide to Literary Agents helps you with your search in countless ways.

This year's newly revamped guide contains more than 400 literary and script agents who don't charge fees. Each agent's policies have been weighed against the guidelines held by the Association of Authors' Representatives. Every one of the agents listed have been evaluated to make sure you don't run into any problems with agents who make their money off of writers instead of making money off of selling your work.

You'll also find listings for other professionals such as publicists and production companies. For those looking to enhance their talent, you'll want to check out the contest and writers' conference listings.

Complete help on finding and landing an agent is also available inside with articles like Author-Agent Etiquette, How to Find the Right Agent and The Art of the Synopsis, to name just a few. Complete sections on contacting agents and before you sign, including an invaluable scam alert, are vital to making your agent choice successful.

Whether you're searching for your first agent or looking for a change, the 2005 Guide to Literary Agents is an essential for your personal library. The new design makes finding your type of agents and narrowing your list even easier so you can make a wise choice and get back to the business of writing.

Rating:
Summary: The emperor's new clothes
Review: In fairness this is a guide to literary agents. No doubt. The catch is the premise that from this book one can pitch his or her's manuscript. Well the pitch can be made but it will not be read. You will get your response with a dear john "your project" card. (They cannot even find the time to write down the title of your book.) Why is this? Why do the agents allow their names' and adresses' in these books. It's vanity, all vanity. Now they have a new gimmick. It's advice. "I'm too busy, have too many clients anyhow, have you tried Writer's Market??? That's the kiss off. Er, please never send me anything again. A few will actually mention that the three chapters that they requested in their advertising blurb and you sent them were disposed of unread. So what to do? Call them up. Call'em. Find out if they want to read your stuff or not. Better yet get on a program of meeting agents and editors. This is all about money, not creativity. Maybe you can bribe a credible editor (not an agent) to read your work. (I know everybody tells you not to do this.) Sometimes you have to succomb to extream measures. You're a creator, be creative. But save your copying dough and your envelopes and the postage and the time and give these agents a call. If they don't have time to take your call they certainly dont have time to read your stuff. Be tough.