Anyone know where I can find a good literary agent?

[Asher]

The danger of lasers will become apparent once it destroys things.

[rah]

Just like the dangers of gas when it explodes.

[Lorizael]

Lasers are used explicitly twice in my novel: once in an undeground, oxygenated cave on Ceres to melt some ice, and once as a spaceship launch system from the surface of Ganymede. Both these uses of lasers would create sounds, but I don't believe I mention sound in either instance.

[snoopy369]

Hahaha...

Lori, if you do start looking for an agent, make sure you talk to some people in the business (galnamer for one I guess) so you are 100% informed on how to avoid any of the pitfalls in the agenting process. Particularly, look up "Writers Beware", and perhaps look up Laura Resnick (a writer who is very anti-agent, and has good reasons for it). Not that you should avoid an agent, but you can find out 'when agents go bad' stories and make sure the agent you eventually choose isn't bad.

Also, look up the SFWA page - it's pretty chock full of information on how to get good agents (and publishers). Not sure if this is an english language novel or not, but if it is, that's where I'd start.

[Lorizael]

Not sure if this is an english language novel or not...

Should I be insulted by this?

[snoopy369]

Nah, I don't know what language they speak in the Orion Arm.

[Asher]

Just like the dangers of gas when it explodes.

Yep. The explosions are far more effective at communicating danger than sulfuric odor.

[Lorizael]

Nah, I don't know what language they speak in the Orion Arm.

Thanks for the tips regarding agents. I don't know Laura Resnick's story, but I have looked at SFWA before, and I've read some horror stories, and I know the general rule that your agent should never charge you for anything on top of their commission.

Btw, I have this vague memory of you being involved in the book industry to some degree. Is that true? And what do you do?

[MikeH]

Did I leave the gas on or have I been visited by a demon?

[snoopy369]

I was a bookseller (mid level manager at Borders, but it wasn't my fault, I promise!). I mostly have a gawker's knowledge of books, though I read a ton of authors' blogs and know a bit from that, as well as my brother's attempts to get published.

Your agent definitely shouldn't take any money from you (nor should _anyone_ else). He also shouldn't be your publisher (some agents are starting to do so now). He should tell you honestly what your work needs to get in front of a publisher (it most certainly will require a lot of work, if you've never been published before).

Have you written any short stories? Although certainly not necessary (Jim Hines had an interesting survey on that fact - about half of published authors started with short stories, half with novels), it can help get your writing in shape (and give you more feedback than you'll get with a novel).

John Scalzi is another good source for info btw - not only is he the current SFWA president, and an amazing bacon-cat photographer, but he is pretty direct and practical with his advice (whatever.scalzi.com).

[Lorizael]

I used to read Scalzi's blog. Not sure why I stopped.

I do have completed short stories, but at this point they are nowhere near as good as my completed novel. And my completed novel is nowhere near being publishable... yet.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ok, feel free to drop me a line if you want to have me look it over for you. I'd be more than willing to give you a hand.

[DaShi]

Congrats on finishing, Lori. Good luck with publication.

[Guynemer]

From Galnemer:

Historically, Trident Media has been strong in science fiction: http://tridentmediagroup.com/. Jennifer Jackson at Maas also has a legendary SFF list: http://jenniferjackson.org/.


I've obviously had a great experience with Becca Stumpf at Prospect: http://www.prospectagency.com/


Some other places to look: AgentQuery.com, QueryTracker.com, AuthorAssist.

Though she did mention that she doesn't think her agent typically handles your sort of scifi.

[Lorizael]

Give my thanks to Galnemer.