One way to find a short story literary agent is to attend writing conferences and workshops. There, you might meet agents or get recommendations from fellow writers. Also, read books and magazines in the short story field to see if any agents are mentioned in the acknowledgments.
You can start by researching agents who specialize in short stories. Look for them online or in industry directories. Then, send a well-crafted query letter highlighting your story's unique aspects.
A good literary agent for short stories in 2019 would have strong connections in the publishing industry. They could get short stories in front of the right editors at top publishers. For example, if they had a long - standing relationship with a major magazine that publishes short stories like The New Yorker, that would be a plus.
It depends. If you plan to submit your short fiction to major publishers or magazines that only accept agented submissions, then yes, you might need one. But if you're targeting smaller or independent publications that accept direct submissions from authors, you may not need an agent.
Here are some recommendations for short stories about secret agents:
1. " One Finger Shocks the Rainbow ": This is a military, spy, and agent novel. The story takes place in the Central Plains, where the Northern Dynasty, the Xuan Dynasty, and the Yun Dynasty are the three pillars of power.
2. " The First Encounter of the Return of the Sparrow " was a short story about the protagonist's life as a secret agent.
3. " The Wind ": This is a spy and agent novel. It is divided into three parts. It is centered around the agent " Old Ghost ". The plot is compact and exciting.
The above is a recommendation based on the short stories of secret agents found in the search results provided.
There was a case where a literary agent took on an author and demanded a large sum of money upfront for 'editing services'. After getting the money, the so - called edits were minimal and the agent did very little to actually market the book to publishers. It turned out the agent was more interested in getting quick cash from authors than actually representing them properly. This left the author in a difficult financial and emotional state as they had not only lost money but also wasted a lot of time.
First, build a portfolio of your best short stories. Then, attend literary conferences and network to meet potential agents. Also, follow agents on social media to understand their preferences.
One common element is misrepresentation. Agents may over - promise what they can do for an author, like getting a huge book deal, but in reality, they don't have the connections or skills to deliver. For example, they might claim to have great relationships with top publishers but actually have no real influence.
One key factor is their network. A top agent for literary novels has extensive connections in the publishing industry. They know the right editors at the major publishing houses. For example, if an agent has a good relationship with an editor at a prestigious press like Penguin Random House, it gives the author's work a better chance of being considered.