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There are also great ways to study fiction agents—their philosophies, mindsets, ethics, etc.. One way, for example, is to read the quintessential agent’s blog, created and maintained by an anonymous New York agent who calls herself Miss Snark, the literary agent. The bottom line is you want representation, and you deserve that kind of representation that is supportive, helpful, and maybe even lucrative. The good fiction agents will stand behind you, speak for you, and protect your literary interests. They will not steal from you, lie to you, or disappear on you. Be well-informed before you sign anything!!!! (0)

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Complicating matters further, not only are such things as a “vanity presses” (book publishers that produce your book but don’t really try to sell it) there are also unscrupulous fiction agents who will do an aspiring writer even worse. Some untrustworthy fiction agents have been known to plagiarize authors, while other fiction agents though honest have no sales on their record. Other fiction agents will actually negotiate a deal for an author with a vanity press, thus defeating the whole purpose of finding a legitimate agent, considering that vanity presses will accept material from anyone regardless if they have representation or not. Be sure and run a background check on your selected choice and his or her agency. Googling an agent’s name can be very telling and can help prevent an aspiring author from putting his or her career in the wrong hands. (0)