Hey, everyone wants the right literary agent to champion their project and land a great publishing deal. But stay vigilant: scams are on the rise in the publishing world. Many deceitful individuals are making grandiose claims about landing you lucrative deals with major publishers (for a big fee, of course).
To help you navigate this landscape safely and find a reputable literary agent, I've compiled some useful links and resources. These will guide you in selecting the best representation and steer you clear of costly traps:
Check out literary agent Lucinda Halpern’s book, published in 2024, “Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author.” It’s smart, practical and helpful. I recently listened in on one of her webinars and was impressed. Lucinda also offers a six-step course (paid) course on what agents and publishers are looking for today.
One of my favorite publishing-world gurus is Jane Friedman, who reports on the book industry. She offers a free newsletter, as well as her famous low-cost Hot Sheet that covers the latest publishing news and gossip. Her blog is a must-read in the publishing biz, and she offers excellent webinars on writing and the publishing business, many of them at the unbelievably low price of $25. Best deal going! I am a regular at her webinars and read her blog, newsletter, and Hot Sheet obsessively.
When it comes to checking out possible scams, Writer Beware is an incredibly helpful resource. Sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, it shines a light on the underworld of publishing rip-offs and frauds. Along with offering reams of helpful material to protect yourself, it has posted a list of more than 200 overseas scams targeting self-published and small-press writers. I consult the website regularly.
Lastly on scams, remember this: Reputable literary agents will never ask you for money to review or pitch your manuscript.
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