I suppose you've written a manuscript and are now searching for an agent to sell it to a publisher
otherwise you wouldn't be reading this article right? Or maybe you're working on that said
manuscript at this moment (well not this exact moment as you are reading this article and it's hard
to do both) and are thinking ahead.

Okay then… first off I let me tell you to publish a children's book you don't really NEED an agent.
Most publishers do in fact take queries directly from writers and most publishers' contracts are
pretty basic. A reputable publisher isn't going to scam authors -it's bad for business. There are a
few clauses you need to watch for and if you do end up handling a contract without an agent I
suggest you read the book Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers by
Crawford. There are also literary lawyers who handle contracts for writers for a flat fee should you
decide not to handle your contract and don't want to pay 15% -20% of your book's income for the
rest of that book's life to someone else.

Still want an agent? Very well, people do have reasons for wanting them. For me it was because I
wanted to be able to write and NOT have to worry about negotiating contracts. I believe my
relationship with an editor should be about the book and not about the money or negotiations.
Some people don't want to worry about researching editors and submitting (I actually enjoyed that
part). Whatever your reason for wanting an agent, there are a few dos and don'ts before signing
with one.

DON'T - just do a google search of Literary Agents and submit to everyone you find. If you do
this you'll end up with a lot of scammers. Good agents don't charge reading fees, or other fees up
front. Agents will sometimes charge photocopying and postage fees however they DO NOT
charge them until after your book is sold. If your book doesn't sell the agent bites the cost.

DO look through market books, websites and other places that list agents such as...

The Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market
The SCBWI
Publisher's Marketplace
Jeff Herman Guide to Agents

Most good agents are listed in the AAR - which is an organization that lists ethical agents. (I say
most because you have to be agenting for two years before you can be added to that list - if an
editor turns agent and opens her/his own agency he may not be listed but still may be a very good
agent).
Check out the site predators and editors http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/ for a list of
good and bad agents.

Now that you've found some reputable agents,
DON'T just make a list of these agents and submit to all of them either.

You don't want to send a ms to an agent then have that agent offer a contract to you without
knowing anything about that agent.

DO RESEARCH first.
Check out where they work from. Are they established or with an established agency? Do they
have a list of authors that are published with publishers you've actually heard of? Are they new to
agenting, and if so do they have a background in the business so that they'll have some kind of
contacts?

Now you've narrowed the list to an agent in a position who actually has more contacts than you do
and who could help you on your way.

DO more research, check out their sites (if they have them). Find a list of the sort of things they
take on. Not all agents take children's literature and not all agents take adult literature. Check
out whom they represent. Do they have any clients who write in the genre you write in? Do you
need an agent who represents both children's lit and adult lit - or someone who takes on
illustrators as well?

So now you've found several agents who take on what you write?
DON'T just send every one of these agents a sub either.

DO figure out what you want in an agent. What kind of contracts do these agents have - a written
one or a verbal? Do you want someone who edits or makes revisions suggestions on submissions
before sending them out to publisher. Do you want someone who contacts you with every detail,
including rejections or someone who'll just contact you if you've sold a book? Remember what
works fantastic in an author relationship for one person could be 'hell' for another. Not every
agent fits every writer.

A lot of agents do interviews (I have several on my writer's page). Read anything you can find on
these agents. Are they someone you can work with? If you can attend a workshop or conference
where they're speaking. Get to know a little more about their personalities. Agents will be there
for the whole life of the books they sell - is the agent you're thinking of someone you want in your
book's life (your life too) for a long time? Is this someone you can like? Someone you can work
with?

Now you've narrowed your list. DON'T sub to all of these agents either. Some agents will not take
simultaneous submissions (that's subbing to two or more agents at once). If you plan to send a
query to two or three agents DO make sure one of those agents doesn't require an exclusive
submission.

If none of them expect an exclusive submission DO query first. Some agents take several pages
with a query please check their submission guidelines.

DON'T send out mass queries. That may just waste everyone's time.

DO pick one or two agents to query.

DON'T send a form query with Dear 'Sir'.

DO make sure you've spelled the agent's name right.

DO make the query personal. Mention some of the books they've sold for clients -especially if
you liked them. This will let them know you've at least done some research.

DON'T tell them their client referred you if it's not true - agents can easily find that out.

DON'T write handwritten notes.

DO be professional. Even if you feel you 'know' the agent because you've read their blog, their
website, or even met them at a conference and thought, 'Hey, this person seems like they'd be a
blast to work with.'

DON'T tell them your book has been loved by your mother, children, grandmother or any other
relative/friend whatever.

DON'T tell them it's going to be the next best seller and they'll be sorry if they don't take it on.

DON'T tell them they are going to LOVE your manuscript. Agents do have their own likes and
dislikes. They can easily decide for themselves if they are going to LOVE your manuscript.

DON'T ask them to provide an illustrator for your picture book or send them pictures with it
unless you are a professional artist.

DO thank them for their time.

If an agent gets back to you and gives you a revision letter and asks you to resubmit it. DON'T
use his suggestions and submit it to another agent. If you use the agent's suggestions DO give him
the first chance to look at the revised manuscript.

If they offer you a contract - DO ask questions before you sign it. DO speak to them on the phone
or in person to get to know them better.

Good luck on your search. I hope you find the 'perfect' agent for you. Happy hunting.