New York SBDC Research Network

Lately we’ve had a bunch of questions from clients who are authors or aspiring authors. Here are some resources related to publishing your work. If you are hoping to get the attention of the publishing houses, you may need a literary agent. Search for an agent here: Agent Query describes itself as the “the internet’s largest and most current database of literary agents.” Search by keyword, nonfiction or fiction genre, and you’ll get lots of results. Not sure if you need an agent or need help choosing one? The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America offers a helpful article and resources on literary agents in their “Writers Beware” web pages. Harold Underdown (author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books) also has a nice piece on “ Finding and Choosing Literary Agents ” We’ve also just purchased a copy of the 2010 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market which is full of helpful guidance and lists of agents and publishers, etc. Decide to forgo ...

The two questions that our author-clients frequently ask the most are, "What publishers specialize in my subject area?", and "Where can I find an agent?" For the first question, I recommend visiting AcqWeb's Directory of Publishers and Vendors . Note especially the section titled "Publisher Web Sites: Subject Directory". By clicking on any of these broad categories, you'll be led to a page that links to the websites of several dozen publishers. For the second question, here's the text to an email I sent to an advisor last April. It's still accurate: "As for literary agents, I'll point you towards another website, here: http://www.writers.net/agents.html This site is more than just a searchable directory, though. Note the articles that appear on the right-hand side. They seem to be written by authors who've gone through the process, and have a lot of practical advice. (The first one - Gary Kessler's "Finding a Go...