Lars Eighner's Homepage Writers' Workshop FAQ: Q. But I can't get published without an agent. Isn't this a catch 22?

Q. But I can't get published without an agent. Isn't this a catch 22?

A. If it were true that you could not get published without an agent there would be no writers. The time to look for and engage an agent is when you have an offer for your book. You don't need an agent to make the sale, you need an agent to make the deal. (And having an agent is a matter of having books. Agents very seldom represent short story writers, although an agent often represents the stories of a writer who also has books. The story market just doesn't pay well enough to make it worth an agent's time.)

New writers are not alone in perceiving such a dilemma. Many new job-seekers feel that they cannot get a job without experience, and of course cannot get experience without a job. Yet, somehow, most of them manage to overcome the situation and do find a job eventually.

Most book publishers who say they do not consider unagented manuscripts, mean that they will not consider an unsolicited manuscript from anyone except an agent. The solution to this is to get the publisher to ask you for your manuscript. Then your manuscript is not "unsolicited." The way to get the publisher to ask to see your manuscript is to send a convincing query. Yes, a few publishers will not even consider an unagented query, but most publishers will give a query a hearing.

Fewer magazines refuse to considered unagented submissions. Those that do are often at the top of their particular market. Lower your expectations and submit to similar, but not-so-exclusive publications. Have you ever heard the expression "paying your dues"?