For anyone out there who may also be in the process of looking for an agent to represent your novel, here is a cool search function that lists “the largest and most current database of literary agents.”
You can search for an agent according to specific genres, nonfiction and fiction, or you can look up an author, or even a specific book and see if it lists what agent represented them. It’s a handy way to narrow down the agents who might want to look at, say, your paranormal romance with alien vampires, rather than those agents who prefer cozy mysteries that where the murder was committed by a darning needle.
So long as the information is available, an agent’s profile includes their agency, contact information, website, email, and whether or not they are accepting queries at this time. It also goes so far as to list their special interests, what they absolutely will not represent, and often enough, submission guidelines (1 page and query? sample chapters and a synopsis?). There might also be a rundown of their latest deals, though don’t think one is less professional than another if this info is missing. It just means it isn’t available for some reason or another. Hey, some agents might like their privacy.
Another option I use to cross-check agents is Preditors and Editors. As listed on my site, this is another database of agencies, but with a focus on rating their professionalism, quality of work, and to alert writers to potential scammers.
I’m keeping an eye on the mailbox, seeing if any responses to queries arrive this week. I’ll let y’all know.
I see that smile.