By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Finding the perfect literary agent can be a daunting task. With so many writers looking for representation and so many agents looking for the next bestselling novel, where does a writer begin? But the task isn’t impossible. With a few guidelines, a writer can navigate onto the banks of agent-land with confidence that she won’t get lost. 

A professional agent enhances the writer’s career with expertise of the publishing industry, passion for the client’s project, and skill of contract negotiations—those areas of publication that keep a writer awake at night. Having an agent is a win-win situation. It frees the writer to do what she does best—write with the freedom of knowing her career is in capable hands. 

The best places to find an agent are at writing conferences, word of mouth from other published authors, recommendations by editors, and market guides including Steve Laube’s The Christian Writers Market Guide. This guide contains an alphabetical list of agents representing Christian writers. The guide gives the agency’s physical address, email, phone number, website, and the names of the agents under their umbrella. Often the agency will provide specifics about what they are looking for and how to submit a proposal. 

Initially, a writer contacts a potential agent with a dynamic query letter that hooks the agent into her manuscript. If more than one agent is being queried, the writer informs the agents that the manuscript is being simultaneously submitted. A positive response means the writer is invited to submit a proposal. The proposal consists of a cover letter, a marketing plan, a synopsis, and the first three chapters. 

Then the waiting game begins. Most literary agents will give you an approximate time to expect feedback. If the writer doesn’t receive a response within three months, a brief follow-up email is appropriate.

When the agent gives the writer a green light, the entire manuscript is sent for review. Be patient. The reward is a phone call with an offer from the agent expressing interest in representing your book project. 

The writer and the agent enter into a partnership, a give/give relationship. This means the business arrangement is based on the writer and agent being fully committed to the book project.  

Both parties must feel comfortable about working with the other. 

The writer is dedicated to producing the best possible manuscript. That includes outstanding writing skills, thorough research, and a willingness to explore promotion and marketing. In addition, the writer is financially rewarded by an agent who is able to secure the best contracts. 

The agent works hard to find the right publisher for the writing project. A thorough knowledge of the market and what each publishing house is looking for speeds up the process. In turn, the agent is financially rewarded by a conscientious writer who is committed to her craft and honors contractual due dates. 

The following are 10 items to consider when searching for an agent.

1. The agent doesn’t simply like your writing but loves it.
2. Prays for you.
3. Reads your proposals.
4. Is agreeable to brainstorming sessions.
5. Provides career counseling.
6. Supplies timely reports from publishers.
7. Is highly respected in the industry.
8. Values you as a client.
9. Attends the larger writers’ conferences.
10. Offers insights to help you be a success.

Now may be the time to polish your proposal and start the agent interview process. Is your writing career ready for the wow factor?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? 

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Mountainside Retreats: Marketing, Nonfiction, Novelists, and Speakers with social media specialist Edie Melson. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. 

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or her website: diannmills.com