THE END . . . Your heart races, you place the last page on top of the neatly stacked manuscript. You did it . . . you've written your first novel . . . your Best Seller. Lucrative contracts, speaking engagements, book signings, long line of adoring fans . . . your book dominates shelves at Chapters and Barnes and Nobles . . . grandiose dreams fill your head. But wait . . . everything comes to a screeching halt. Before cracking the bottle of bubbly, lets push the rewind button. . .

You place the last page on top of the neatly stacked manuscript. You did it. You've completed your first novel.

If you did your homework, you'll find that most publishers don't accept unsolicited material, therefore you need an agent.

An agent can be invaluable to you. They know the ins and outs of the business. They know about royalties and all the legal jargon concerning contracts. They're knowledgeable on the best publishing houses. Their finger's always on the pulse of the writing industry, rubbing shoulders with the elite in the business.

It is imperative to have a good relationship with your agent. Like a marriage between two partners, you look out for each other. She/he will guide you, encourage you, give constructive advice, get the best contract, best publisher and the most money for you. You collaborate back and forth with them during the writing process of your book. They will be as excited about your voice and writing as you are. Ideally, it will be a long marriage, then you'll both have a long and lucrative future.

* To find an agent/agency you can search the library or Internet. In Canada search under "The Writer's Union of Canada" at htt://www.writersunion.ca/gp_l iteraryagents.asp

In the US the best one I would suggest is under "Preditors and Editors" at
htt://anotherealm.com/prededit ors/peala.htm This site also tells what agent/agency is reputable or not.

*The first thing to do is check out how reputable the agent is. Check out the above URL on "Preditors and Editors."

* Check out their track record. How were their sales, have they sold anything in the genre you're writing about?

* Do they charge a fee? You do not have to pay an the agent a fee. They get a percentage, usually 15% from domestic sales and 20% from foreign sales.

* If the agent has a closed mind and doesn't listen to any suggestions you might have, or is arrogant, rude and hard to get along with, drop them. Their unprofessional attitude won't get your book sold. People won't want to deal with them and avoid them like the plague.

* Keep your ear to the grape-vine. If you hear unpleasant things about an agent/agency, avoid them. There are plenty of other agents/agencies to choose from.

Now that you've found an agent, you're half way there.

Oh . . . go ahead, open that bottle of bubbly, might as well have a taste while you're waiting for that all important phone call. "Your book sold!"

source; RWR,volume 27, no.10

Learn more about this author, Petra Newman.
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