Suggestions given by Stephanie Alton from the flourish writing on line workshop.

• Go to a conference, have conversations with different agents. Agents there are already vetted by conference committee.
• Listed in christen writers guide.
• Have a website that has clients listed
• Look at the type of words they have agented. Does they match ours?
• Talk to them and see if you are combatable. Want to see if they are the t type to advocate for you.
• See if your values align with your agent.
• Note to see if a certain agent is willing to work with you. Do they offer suggestions?
• Make sure they are a good personality match.
• The goal is to work through multiple projects.
• Real agents do not ask for a fee up front. If thy ask for money it is coaching or not legit. Agents do not make money until you make money.
• When author gets advance (half when sign and other advance when you hand in the manuscript Aten’s also get percentage of royalties.
• Agent make sure you have all your ducks in a row. Proposal, some agent may give idea to help your proposal. Send out proposal to different publishers.
• Help with the contract to get as much in the author’s favor as possible. Once contract is done maybe development calls.
• Make sure you are well read in the genera your write.
• You find what other books are like yours and it shows there are an market.
• Don’t let a literary agent or edit be the first person to see your manuscript. Get it – improved by beta readers, writing groups can help.
• If you hire an editor, make sure they have experience and credentials. Vet them. Referrals is a way to find out who others have liked.