and knows what’s going on, it's also because an agent forms a handy cut-off switch
between you and the publisher. When problems occur --- let's say that your editor's
demands annoy you, or that your advance payments are late, you've got someone to
gripe at other than your editor.
On the other hand, if you'd rather keep all the profits your book makes, and
feel that you can handle your contract negotiations yourself, you may want to skip
agents, and focus on publishers.Online resources to help you in your agent-hunt
Here's a list of online resources which will help you to decide whether or not you
want an agent, and agent contact details.WritersNet: http://www.writers.net/agents/browse/loc.php^
This is an excellent site, with many useful articles telling you what agents do, as well
as agent lists you can browse.
Literaryagents.org: http://www.literaryagents.org/^
Another excellent site with articles and agent listings.^
(^)
Index of US Literary Agents:^
http://www.writersservices.com/WrHandbook/wh_us_index.htm^
This page is on the Writer's Services site, and you'll also find listings of UK agents.
Preditors and Editors: http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/
You'll want to bookmark this site. It’s a wonderful resource to help you to maintain
your writing career.
Literary Agent Warnings:^ http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html^
Unfortunately, as in all fields, in writing there are scam artists. This page, maintained
by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Inc, gives you the low-down
(pun intended) on literary scammers.
(^)
Note: things change fast online. Do your own "literary agents" query on
http://www.Google.com and other search engines for additional agent information and
listings.