Should new writers try to obtain a literary agent?

I'd do both....:o)

It is extremly difficult for a new writer to get a respectable agent. It is even more difficult tp go directly to a publisher. Publishers are very aftaid of plagerism suits. Try the agent route but before you sign anything check to see who the agent has represented before. Good Luck

Great question. I am curious to find out as well.

I think agent is a must.

It really depends on the genre. For children's books up to a certain age no agent is necessary. When the age level goes up so does the need for an agent. Always shop wisely for an agent or you will get the short end of the stick.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and suggestions on this subject. I often wonder when new writers are published---how that came about.

Good question! I will continue to read the responses.

Is it helpful to have a fellow writer write a letter of support to a publisher or agent?

As many writers will tell you, it's very difficult to get an agent. A lot depends on what you write. Some publishers will not read a manuscript unless it's submitted by an agent. My advice is to submit to agents, but at the same time do your own research and find publishers who will read your work without an agent go between. Meeting agenst and editors at writers' conferences is a good way to meet them. In that setting they will give you feedback and you often can get a face to face meeting.

Okay, so I've received a lot of advice over the last few weeks from established authors and here is what they have shared with me. Whether or not to have an agent depends on the genre and the publisher. You must do your research on the publisher you are targeting. There are some editors who will tell you that they prefer no agent for your first book with them because for first time authors they have a standard contract and no agent can negotiate it. (my friend was actually told this by a respected editor at a conference and she then told her to send the manuscript directly to her office) For others an agent is a requirement. I agree with Susan. Most of my friends got their break by meeting the editors at conferences.

Regarding the question about fellow writers writing letters to the publisher. I don't know about that. But I have been told that it is important to have published authors behind your book or to have an author quote ready to publicize the book. It's a good selling point for your book that you can include in your query letter.

Interesting. Thank you. I too, have heard that it is good if you have a published author to have your back. I am very interested in the conferences. When I read about the conferences, I had the impression that the authors are there to do a writers workshop? That was my impression.

This leads me to wonder what the conferences are all about. How do they work? LOL. Thanks for all of your imput. I truly appreciate all the feedback.

I think the conference is a good way to network no matter what the reason for the meeting. I would think an agent would be the best way to go because they should the knowledge and tools to market your work.

Good luck,

I would like that answer as well

It's nearly as hard to get an agent as a publisher, but if you get the agent, you'll probably get a better publisher in the end. If you're going for a small press with a limited run, you can do it without an agent. But if you want to shoot for the big publishers, an agent will be a big help in getting you high in the slush pile -- or perhaps even out of it.

Good luck!

Thank you so much. I think we have learned so far, that probably the best tool is the conference. I wonder how that works exactly.

Okay, I can actually respond to this with some knowledge - key word being "some". I have a friend who is an agent and I have done some editing for my friend. The writers she handles DO get contracts and they are for larger sums of money than many people who go it alone. I am NOT mentioning which types of books she handles as I am NOT soliciting writers for her. I doubt if you write the very specialized types of books she handles, all nonfiction. So I am trying to give you an informative answer, not a solicitation.

DO keep this in mind, if you use an agent, you pay that person a percentage of any be cost-effective. As with any business, some agents are very experienced and others are not. Do your research, know which books your agent has handled, check out the "thank yous" to agents in books you've read and liked and hope you get a similar agent, equally as skilled. Good luck!

Finally, you really need to know WHICH agent will like what you write, get behind you and go to bat for you. Some will simply take your money and not do much else. Others will do everything in their power to get you noticed and have good contacts in the industry. And,yes, conferences can be a good way to meet potential agents. Personally, I'd probably go straight to the agent and beg. But that is just me.

P.S. Thanks so much for your comment on my story about the raccoon problem we had. Since it is so old, if anyone else wants to see it, it is here:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977099326

I don't know how my first response got messed up but it did. One sentence should read:
Keep in mind that you pay that person a percentage of any accepted offers and that may be cost-effective. Sorry about any confusion. Ignore the messed up sentence in my long response above.

I think Jane gave some great advice to this question. I think the key to it is to research agents and publishers thoroughly to make sure they are a good fit for you and your manuscript.

Thank you for coming by and reading Fate and Destiny!

Well, thank you!

I think so, but I have not figured out how to go about obtaining one. Many of the bigger publishers will only take agented writers.

Sigh...this is all so daunting! I finally get the courage to put myself out there only to find that there are so many hoops to jump through. I've been writing since I was 7 years old and always thought that someday I would publish either my novels, short stories or poetry.

I've read some great advice on this page that I think will be very helpful. One thing that I'd like to add is this: If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.