Literary Agents - Do You Need One?

HOW TO FIND A (REAL!) LITERARY AGENT
by A.C. Crispin

On the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) website
http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/real/

If you're an aspiring author or an unagented pubbed author, have you wondered whether it's true that you really need an agent? And what an agent would do for you and your career?

This is an informative and detailed article, if you're thinking about an agent I suggest you read the whole thing. It has a lot of warnings and tips to help you avoid a bad agent.

The author starts by pointing out when you DON'T need an agent:
~ If you write poetry, short stories, articles or essays.
~ If you are aiming at e-book, POD, niche, specialty, or regional publication. These publishers take unagented work.
~ Some non-fiction publishers take unagented work; check the publisher guidelines.

The article covers:
• Introduction
• Agents – When Do You Need One?
• Getting Started – Compiling a List, Researching Agent Listings, and Following Submission Guidelines
• How to Recognize Real Agents
• Writing the Synopsis
• Writing the Query Letter
• Sending Out Your Query Letters
• Playing the Waiting Game
• Make Sure Your Manuscript Lives Up to Your Query
• The Psychology of Querying