How to Work With a Literary Agent

Are you looking for a literary agent? Have you sent out your query only to receive a polite rejection letter wishing you well on your publishing journey?

Here’s the reason: Literary agents are overwhelmed. Some receive 1500+ queries a month. But there’s an even bigger reason as to why you are not getting the traction you want.

In this virtual lunch n learn, presented by the Women's National Book Association - San Francisco Chapter, agent Andy Ross will share his expertise and explain the secrets behind his decades-long successes in championing the work of his clients. He will demystify the reality behind the art of obtaining a literary agent in our current publishing landscape.

If achieving literary representation for your manuscript is your goal, let Andy guide you with his insights and advice to receive a “yes” from the agent of your dreams! Andy will share what agents respond to positively, what topics are currently popular in the market, the quickest way to get agents to stop in their tracks, the one thing to absolutely not do if you are serious about getting a literary agent and much more.
We hope to see you there!

Meet the Agent:
Andy Ross opened his literary agency in January 2008. Before that, he was the owner for 30 years of the legendary Cody’s Books in Berkeley. The agency represents books in a wide range of subjects including narrative non-fiction, science, journalism, history, religion, children’s books, young adult, middle grade, literary and commercial fiction, and cooking. However, he is eager to represent projects in most genres as long as the subject or its treatment is smart, original, and will appeal to a wide readership. In non-fiction, he looks for writing with a strong voice and robust narrative arc by authors with the authority to write about their subject. For literary, commercial, and children’s fiction, he has only one requirement– simple, but ineffable–that the writing reveals the terrain of that vast and unexplored country, the human heart.