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Rating: 
Summary: Title is misleading, but the book is wonderful
Review: Sure, the title is misleading. I was misled, but I'll tell you what--the trade off was worth it. This book gives the reader a better understanding of what it means to be an agent than any other. This, of course, is helpful in actually getting an agent, since one of the first rules of making it as a writer is know your audience. Actually, this book does do a better job of helping a writer know how to get an agent than just a straight up list of do's and don'ts, because it gives readers an inside view at what agents like and don't like, and how the process works. Has a special spot on my book shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for writers
Review: This book is like the "What to expect when you're expecting" for budding book writers. I found this book to be invaluable. By following the suggestions in this book I was able to submit a proposal that was instantly snapped up by a New York literary agency. Perkins makes a good case for agents occupying the nuturing role to writers that editors formerly fulfilled before corporate conglomeration in the 1980's bulldozed the publishing landscape. With few exceptions agents are now an absolute necessity for authors publishing a commercial book (perhaps this is not so with University presses). In addition, agents will make sure you get paid as much as possible (because their commission is based on your payment) and can obtain foreign royalties for your book, something most of us would be hard-pressed to go about procuring on our own. I can accept that someone might not like this book, but I'm perplexed by the angry tone of some of the reviewers who gave this a 1- or 2-star rating; it's almost as if Perkins had personally turned down one of their own proposals. Yes, the single query letter example she uses is pretty skimpy, but that's been covered extensively in other sources; hey, just look at Writer's Market if you need more query letter examples. The sections explaining the various parts of the proposal are helpful, informative and great. She will tell you what to expect from your agent, and what not to expect. She colors it throughout with anecdotes that make it personal and readable. You'll find out what the agent's world -- daily lunch meetings with editors and authors, etc. -- is like. The book will answer all the countless questions you might have about where, when, and what to expect on the road to getting published. For example: when you finally meet your editor or your agent over lunch, who pays the restaurant bill? To find out, read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a book about getting an agent
Review: Unfortunately, the editorial synopsis hits it right on the head: Not much of this book (only one chapter) is actually devoted to getting an agent. The rest is about what agents do, how to interact with your agent, etc. The VAST majority of people who buy this book will want to learn how to actually obtain an agent. This is a reasonable desire considering the book's misleading title. However, the book basically tells you: 1. Look in books with agent lists 2. Try contacting a writers' association for agent lists 3. Write a good query letter 4. Try to contact new agents instead of proven ones To which I reply: DUH! Tell me something I don't know! The book itself is well written, but ultimately, who cares if it doesn't tell you the things it purports to? Why would anyone care what agents do during their lunch hour if they don't actualy have one yet?
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