"A must text book for authors who are serious about their careers."

The 2003 Guide To Literary Agents should be classified as a standard reference text for authors who are serious about their careers. Filled to the brim not only with up-to-date listings of hundreds of literary agents, script agents, conferences, publicists and independent production companies, the book also provides useful and fascinating gobbets pertaining to why you need an agent, how to find a good agent, contacting agents and the legalities of the publisher's contract.

In fact, the first 72 pages of the book are fairly comprehensive in providing the reader with the necessary information to understand the workings of literary agents. First hand experience as well as practical advice about such matters as the query letter, avoiding bad agents, understanding fees, and what to ask and not to ask an agent are all explored in an easy-to-read format. As for the listings, all of the logistics of addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, web sites, contact information, clients and genre of books represented, recent sales, agency fees, and specializations are all clearly indicated.

A new addition to the book this year and particularly of interest to the screenwriter is the listings for the most respected script contests. As mentioned, "placing in one of these high-profile contests can earn you prize money, land you a writing job or internship, or catch the attention of an industry pro who wants to buy your script."

Another very useful section is the listing of Writers' Conferences which it should be pointed out is an excellent venue to network. These conferences enable you to listen and learn what agents do and how they may be of help to you. Within this section there is also a discussion presented by three agents of the dos and don'ts of writer's conferences. No doubt the advice will prove to be invaluable if you are contemplating attending one of these conferences.

The end of the book contains a comprehensive index indicating the specialities of the literary agents, the script agents, as well as agencies' openness to submissions, such as if they are seeking both new and established clients. No doubt these indexes increase the usefulness and appeal of the book and provide a valuable starting point in tracking down what information is most appropriate to your situation.

All in all, this excellent reference book can be recommended heartily to anyone who wants to give it their "best shot" in succeeding as an author.

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Posted November 12, 2002

Summary

Put your writing career on the fast track! You need an agent who can get your fiction, nonfiction or screenplay into the hands of the people who can make your dreams come true, and the 2003 Guide to Literary Agents will help you find the right one. Here's all the names, addresses and guidelines you need, including contact information for over 500 literary agencies, 120 conferences and 30 freelance publicists. The book's easy-to-reference icons and indexes help you to quickly, easily and correctly locate the agent best suited to represent your work. Look inside and you'll find samples of actual query letters, guidelines for hiring a freelance publicist, strategies for getting the best agent and more. Special "Insider Reports" provide you with access to the advice and opinions of the people who know how the industry works. You'll also learn more about fees, market research and electronic rights. With more agent listings than any other reference, 2003 Guide to Literary Agents is the right choice that can change your life right now.