Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25222
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25222
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I would advise attending a writer's conference in your genre and booking some pitch sessions with agents. This lets you try out your pitch verbally and does not preclude you approaching the same agent by mail later. And if the agent ask you to submit a sample, then you are a requested submission, rather than slush, and you go to the top of the pile.

Agents receive thousands of submissions and they have to say no to most of them really quickly. Anything that sets you apart from that crush of submissions is an advantage. Going to a conference in your genre automatically matches you with agents interested in that genre and gets you past the initial winnowing. It also tells you which agents are actively looking for new authors.

Plus, agents are looking for people who are serious about writing as a career. It takes a lot of investment on their part to get a writer launched, and they don't make any money on that investment unless the writer sticks with it and acts professionally. Attending a writers conference is one signal to them that you are serious. Yes, it will cost you some money -- but that is the point. It shows you are willing to invest in your chosen career, which is a good sign for them as they decide whether they want to invest in it too.

Original score: 3