How do we know if literary agents really know what they are doing? Are they really producing good books?

I live in Los Angeles and I want to know where to find literary agents? How can I contatct them and to get one do I have to have an experience?

Does anyone know of any reliable literary agents? I never know who to chose in The Literary Agents Market book.

When authors send their queries, a majority of agents want them to send the first ten pages of their manuscript. When reading these, what do literary agents look for?

Will literary agents consider taking a look at work like this: A manuscript of collected short stories. All having something to do with each other of course. Or do L.A.'s tend to not want to deal short story collections? Thanks. I hope this question doesn't sound stupid.

What are some great literary agents who like to get fiction books, about magic and action adventure type novels published. I'm looking for the best one for an idea I have. I'm only 16 though and have been writing since I was 10 and have gotten awards and praises. This is what I was meant for, please help me by listening literary agents and their contacts.

Just curious if well recognized literary agents or publishers would ever consider stealing your work? Say, if they sent back your manuscript with a reject slip...would you think that there would be any way that they would go behind your back and try to publish your work anyways?

I know agencies like lemonade and Shannon associates work for illustrators, but i want to know if, in addition, literary agents can find work for illustrators.

I understand that a literary agent takes a percent from any earned royalties (and I'm assuming a percent of the advance, right?), but beyond that, are there any other fees? I'm aware of the notorious reading fees, but surely agents don't thrive completely off of a percentage from royalties. Any idea how much those fees (if there are any) usually run? I'm new to this game and trying to arm myself with as much knowledge possible, and this is a topic I've never seen discussed. Anyway, thank you so much for your help and time!

I've heard you're only supposed to concentrate on one literary agent at a time, but that seems like it would drag the process out longer than necessary. Wouldn't it be smarter to send it to a bunch of agents at once? I've heard you're only supposed to concentrate on one literary agent at a time, but that seems like it would drag the process out longer than necessary. Wouldn't it be smarter to send a manuscript to a bunch of agents at once? OR...should I forget about the manuscript, and just send out a bunch of Query Letters to various agents instead?

I have recently completed a manuscript and I'm looking for literary agents to send it to for evaluation. The book I wrote is for the same age range as the Harry Potter series was for. So I am assuming this would be the young adult novel category. I would like to know who the best literary agents of this genre are and how I could contact and send my manuscript to them. Somewhere I could see a listing would be great, and any other help given.

How do literary agents go about helping you get your book published? Must they personally like your story as a publisher would, to want to help you?

I wanted to know if literary agents accept manuscripts from outside their home country. Please tell me a few names if you know them (those who accept online submissions). Also, would it be necessary for me to fly off to their place to sign the contract?

I need a literary agent to represent my young adult novel. I need more lists of literary agents that represent young adult. I really appreciate the help. Thanks in advance!

For example, how do you find one? What are some good websites to look for one? How do you send in a manuscript? Basically could someone tell me all they know about literary agents? Thanks so much!

So I keep hearing that literary agents 99.9% of the time don't take poetry, but yet some of the biggest publishers, for example Harper Collins have poetry books out. These publishers, such as Haper Collins do not take unsolicited manuscripts, meaning you need an agent to present your work. So if you need an agent to present your work, and the biggest publishers don't take unsolicited manuscript, HOW DO POETRY BOOKS END UP IN SOME OF THE BIGGEST PUBLISHERS?????

I am having trouble finding good sci fi literary agents online. Anyone have any good recommendations?

I'm not interested in self-publishing. i've sent query letters to about 8-10 literary agents, and most haven't responded. the three that did, rejected my query. how many times have you been, before being accepted? do you know any literary agents who accept first-time young adult/ chick lit writers? and some advice for me? this is a question for published writers out there

I want to become a literary agent eventually, but I need to know this. If so, I have a publishing firm picked out close by that I might intern at. If anyone has any information about /becoming/ a literary agent, please tell me! A great plus would be if anyone knows of a website that deals with becoming a literary agent. I see. Thank you very much. And by self-employed I'm guessing you mean they put ads out and then wait for people to contanct them, but have really no building to go to?

I have a writer's market from 1997 (lol OLD haha) and I think it has a section in it that lists literary agents. Is the guide to literary agents more thorough for the genre you are looking for or what? I asked this earlier and didn't get an answer for this question, so I'll try again. no no no I'm not asking do I need a new one. I think that is pretty duh since the one I have is 10 years old. I was just mentioning it to mention that it listed literary agents in it. I'm buying The Writers Market, and I'm asking do I need to buy the Guide to Literary Agents too.