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Any literary agents or connections to...

inlandisland

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Hi all. Does anyone here work in, or know people who work in the literary agent/publishing field (editors, authors, etc) that are willing to review materials and/or provide referrals to agents?

Specifically, I know someone who is interested in finding a literary agent to represent a work of literary fiction, about 72, 000 words in length (completed manuscript).

I've observed that a lot of users on these boards are in/around NY and I've seen a number of professors/academics as well, so I thouht it might be worth a shot...
 

Sazerac

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Most writers I know keep literary agent contacts pretty close to the vest. To send one's agent a manuscript is to vouch for it, and since 99% of manuscripts won't make the cut, most writers can't or won't help you.

I suggest mining your non-writer contacts. I was introduced to the woman who eventually became my agent through an attorney friend. He knew an entertainment attorney who had worked with the agent before and the rest just sort of fell into place. Non-writers tend to be freer with their contacts.

One thing I highly recommend is writers' conferences in New York where literary agents will review your work. These are cattle call scenarios where everyone is trying to get the agents' attention, but if your work is truly good -- and you're good at pitching it -- you at least stand some chance.

The thing to remember is that there's no shame or harm in sending in your query and opening five pages without a previous introduction. If the work stands on its own, it won't matter how it's submitted. The agent may get to the writers who are introduced to her personally first, but she'll get through all her submissions eventually. They use the same professional standards either way.

Best of luck to you. I mean that.
 

Reynard369

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AgentQuery.com will be an enormous help to your friend. No stranger over the internet is going to set you up with an agent.
 

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