Get an Agent!

A friend of mine just finished writing a picture book and asked me how I went about finding an agent. First, I wanted to stress how important it was to GET AN AGENT! Negotiating the terms of a book contract may seem like cake, but it's really difficult. Plus, we're writers and it's much more fun to focus on the writing and let a professional read through the contract stuff.


After writing SELLOUT, I found a publisher first and then began the search for an agent. I searched the Internet for awhile and then finally took the recommendation of a friend before finding my wonderful agent, Alyssa Eisner Henkin. But there are others ways of getting connected and finding the right agent for you and your work!

-Here are a few books I consult often for updates on everything from Publishing houses to ways to submit a manuscript for the first time:
Children's Writer Guide 2010
Writer's Handbook 2010

-This is the course (fee) I completed before going for my MFA writing degree. At the Institute of Children's Literature you can submit your work to editors who will critique your work and give you feedback on how to improve before submitting to agents. http://www.institutechildrenslit.com.

-Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators - This organization is for writers and illustrators and they provide community, advice, contests, grants, agent listings, etc...http://www.scbwi.org.

-Here is a list of websites to find agents. Remember, don't pay to have someone read your work. You should be able to submit for free. And make sure to try and match your topic/style writing with exactly what the agent is looking for because the agent will work that much harder for work they love as much as you do.
1. http://www.andreabrownlit.com/agents.php
2. http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/agents.html
3. http://agentquery.com/search_advanced.aspx
4. http://querytracker.net/index.php
5. http://www.1000literaryagents.com/index.php

I hope this information helps and Good luck in your search!