Literary Agents that want new writers, where are you?

Agents judge manuscripts expecting to have to reject it. They want to find the next big writer, but like you, they aren't expecting it to pop into their lap any time soon. Your manuscript being taken seriously most of the time depends upon who it is coming from. Joe Shmoe, unpublished writer, may sit in a slush pile for months before it is opened. Agents read work from well-known, established writers with an eye for liking it, looking for reasons to accept it, overlooking minor flaws. A new writer's work will be read by a junior agent hoping to find the slightest flaw so that they can reject it and go on to the next manuscript in their mile-high stack.

That is why it is so important to research, research, research. Many rejections are simply due to sending an agent inappropriate work. I know it's difficult, sometimes, to determine who may or may not be appropriate for your manuscript. Then when you find a perfect fit, often they have already found another like yours to represent first. Research, find the best fits, and then write your query letters with attention and care.

And in that letter, let the agent know why you are contacting him or her specifically. They don't want generic letters, or to be just another agent in a list of the entire agenting community. Use your research and tell the agent why you picked them.

Take personalized care, and you may land the agent you need to get your book published.