The Dos and Don’ts of Getting an Agent

Cadence Mandybura

A good pitch session “can bypass years of slush piles…”

Publication. It’s a dream and a goal for so many writers—and many publishers will only look at your work if you’re represented by a literary agent. But getting an agent is a hurdle all its own. I asked Robert Mackwood, Director and Principal Agent at Seventh Avenue Literary Agency in Vancouver, and Sam Hiyate, President and CEO at The Rights Factory in Toronto, for their advice for writers.

Before we start, let’s clear up what agents can and can’t do. First of all, consider whether you need an agent at all. In Canada, writers can approach small and medium-sized publishers without an agent and get published. Mackwood shares that the majority—he estimates over 80%—of books published in North America are unagented. Also, agents don’t really have a role for authors looking to self-publish.

Agents can help place your work with a publisher, and will then negotiate the best possible deal for you. Some agents may provide editorial guidance on your work and help strengthen your manuscript. An agent can’t guarantee publication, big advances, or turn your book into a bestseller. But if you find a good fit, an agent can prove to be an integral part of your writing career.

Do. Your. Research. If there’s one thing you take away from this article, this is it. Make sure your book matches what the agency is looking for. Sending your YA sci-fi book to an agency focused on adult self-help won’t get you anywhere.

Do write a good query letter. Bring the same level of rigour to your query that you do to the rest of your writing. Make sure it’s clear who you are, what your book is about, and how it fits into the market.

Do write the best book or proposal you can. Especially for fiction, your manuscript “should be the best possible thing you can submit, because we’re only going to look at it once,” says Hiyate. This means reviewed by beta readers and possibly a professional editor.

Do have a platform for your work (especially for non-fiction). “Having a platform with depth and width is very important—show me what you have done and, even more critical, what you have written and published. Show me you have methods to get attention for your book,” explains Mackwood, whose agency specializes in non-fiction. What constitutes a platform varies, but it can include elements like an author website, a social media presence, past publications (including self-published books), a blog or regular column, being recognized as a spokesperson or expert on your subject matter, and having an established audience relevant to your book (e.g., students, clients, business networks).

Don’t spam every literary agent out there. Mass emailing a bunch of agents is a big no-no. It looks unprofessional and shows you haven’t taken the time to tailor your query to a specific agency.

Don’t give agents material that they haven’t requested. Follow the agency’s guidelines, keep your emails concise, and don’t send them anything they don’t want. “If an agency doesn’t want material yet, then don’t force it upon them. That leads to an instant delete,” comments Mackwood.

Don’t make outlandish claims. Telling agents to drop everything on their plate (right now!) because your book is poised to make millions…will not go over well. Hiyate comments, “I want to have a book that I can turn into money, not the promise of money.”

Don’t take it personally if an agent declines you. Agents can get hundreds of queries every week, and there are lots of reasons an agent might pass on your work.

Look for opportunities at conferences to learn from and connect with agents. The Surrey International Writers’ Conference, taking place this October, offers a popular “Pitch Session” where writers pitch their work to an acquiring editor, agent, producer, or publisher. Camille Netherton, SiWC’s chair, says that a good pitch session “can bypass years of slush piles and also create a ‘buzz’ for your work, with the agent anticipating receiving your full manuscript.” It’s also a great way to practise your pitch.

Every agency is different. Research agents and pitch to the right ones; follow their guidelines, and write a compelling query letter. Signing with an agent is the beginning of a relationship, so make sure you start it off right.

Most importantly—write the best book you can. “The most important thing is that we love the work and we think we can sell it,” says Hiyate. “That’s the nature of the relationship.”

Cadence Mandybura is a writer and editor in Victoria, BC. Her fiction is in FreeFall, NōD, and Gathering Storm magazines, and her non-fiction in a range of publications, including Calgary’s now-defunct Fast Forward Weekly, WestJet’s in-flight magazine, and The New Indian Express. When she isn’t writing, you can find her practising martial arts or playing Japanese taiko drums. https://www.cadencemandybura.com/