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How NOT To Get A Literary Agent (In 20 Simple Steps!)

If you're a mediocre writer and want an agent to sign you... marry one. But if you're a talented writer, all it takes is getting your book into the hands of the right literary agent and BINGO... instant representation!
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Humorist at OnceUponYourPrime.com

Humorist at OnceUponYourPrime.com
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If you're a mediocre writer and want an agent to sign you....marry one. But if you're a talented writer, all it takes is getting your book into the hands of the right literary agent and BINGO....instant representation! Just don't do as I say and definitely don't do as I do below.

  1. Binge watch all I Love Lucy episodes and realize your intense desire to have an agent discover your writing skill is just as fierce (if not more-so) than that of the famous, harebrained redhead wanting to break into show business at Ricky's nightclub.

  • Decide you need your own equivalent of "The Tropicana" and register for a Writers Conference, where there are sure to be tons of hot agents scouring to sign new, fledgling authors like yourself.

  • Go on the internet to check out the hotel layout and notice they have lots of elevators. This is good news because now you can forget about taking the stairs for health reasons and instead craft a 30-second captivating elevator pitch! Practice a witty escalator pitch too, just in case elevators are out-of-order.

  • While waiting in the airport for your plane, research "what to say in person to grab an agent's interest." Discover they love it when you liken the plot of your book to a cross between two well-known exciting movies.

  • Unexpectedly encounter a real live literary agent seated across the aisle on your flight. Blurt out, "King Kong Versus Godzilla!"

  • Recall that Lucy Ricardo received lots of attention implementing creative publicity stunts. Eye the top deck of the hotel roof with visions of "landing as a woman from Mars." Consider the indoor swimming pool as a place for a staged drowning so an agent can rescue you as you sputter out the opening line of your new novel, whilst spitting chlorinated water.

  • Happen upon some formal tables set up in the lobby with established authors sitting behind large colorful stacks of their newly released books, cheerfully autographing covers for (what looks like) hungry agents.

  • Open your backpack and impulsively place ten of your own self-published books (that's all you've brought to the conference) on a nearby janitor's supply cart so that (much like a bowl of unattended Halloween candy left on the porch for trick-or-treaters) every last copy will be gobbled up by influential individuals in the book industry.

  • On the way up to the 12th floor to change clothes for the evening's festivities, "accidentally" lean against the emergency button, (lurching things to a stop between floors 8 and 9) so that the trapped group of agents are now a captive audience for your book pitch, and bonus - you no longer need to keep it under 30 seconds!

  • Apologize when you find out they're just other wanna-be-authors much like yourself, only angrier because you just made them late to the banquet dinner.

  • Arrive in your room to see the red light lit up on the desk, indicating people have been trying to reach you. Wonder how many agents read the novels you left in the lower lobby, salivated, and have now beaten a path to your hotel room phone leaving messages like, "Please meet me before dinner so you can sign my exclusivity representation agreement!"

  • Call the front desk and retrieve a single message, "Nine of your books have been turned into the hotel Lost & Found. Please see the concierge to claim."

  • Daydream that the missing 10th book is under the pillow inside a prominent agent's hotel room and he'll be kept awake all night, turning its pages.

  • At the banquet, decide on a new tact that doesn't involve displaying your books prominently by the cheesecake on the dessert buffet. (Your book is anything but cheesy!) Resolve instead to place it directly into the palm of any agent who reaches with an outstretched arm to shake your hand during introductions. What?? Like they're gonna rudely just let it drop to the floor?

  • Pick your book up off the carpet. Shout, "So nice meeting you!" to the agent's backside as he hurries toward the stairwell, because it's recently been announced, "Ride elevators at your own risk -- some whacko is harassing our patrons."

  • Walk into a workshop called, "Speed Pitching To An Agent" where the idea is to play musical chairs, quickly discussing your book with 15 different agents. Talk very fast! You've got this movie comparison thing down pat now. Tell them it's a cross between "When Harry Met Sally" and "Planet of the Apes." Claim you heard Nicolas Cage is dying for the lead role when your bestseller becomes an actual movie. What?? Do you think they have Nicky's number and will call to confirm??

  • Tell all the women agents "You wouldn't understand my book, it's geared toward female readers who are multi-orgasmic."

  • Sing your pitch or recite it in Pig-Latin.

  • Contemplate launching into the VitaMeataVegaMin routine or catching the tip of your fake nose on fire with a lit cigarette.

  • Check-out of the hotel on Monday morning, thoroughly encouraged because the janitor chased you out to the valet stand to thank you for leaving him your book with his cleaning supplies. He wants to know if you'll mop all the lobby floors so he can find out how the book ends? This is the best offer you'll get. Say, "Yes!"

    • Enjoyed this? Check out the author's tips for How NOT to Get Your Book Reviewed right HERE.

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