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

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'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.

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 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 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.

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?

Because I am working on a query right now that I am going to send out through e-mail and was wondering if you had to include the literary agents information such as where they live and whatnot.

Does anyone know of any Fantasy/young adult literary agents that are currently accepting submissions? Please don't just give me a link to predators and editors or writers.net as I cannot access them at the moment.

Is it very hard to get a literary agent? I just recently sent out my first query and synopsis and I'm well aware of the number of rejections I will receive. I have faith though. I was wondering if the majority of rejections will be from agencies or publishers? Both perhaps? Thanks so much.

I read that most literary agents prefer to take on new writers via referrals, as opposed to new writers they don't know, so it's harder for new writers to gain representation. Is this basically true?

I live in New York but am currently looking to move into Northern California in January or February. I want to look for a literary agent for my novel length manuscript. The only thing is i don't know where i'll be living in the near future. Is it advisable to have a book agent from another state or should i really try to stay with the ones in my area? I would prefer to look in both CA and NY options but am not sure if having an agent so far away is a good idea. Thanks !

I'm looking for recomendation for literary agents within the Twin Cities. I won't be contacting them right away as I am still working on my book, but I wanted to get a start so I'm ready when I finish. I don't want to get ripped off, etc. I want someone reputable. My book is a paranormal mystery/thriller. It could be young adult, but could not be too.

I've been writing for a good 2 years of my life and I feel like one of my pieces is polished enough for me to publish; it's not finished but I have posted it online and have been getting very good feedback. But it's all a matter of finding the literary agent. Who would, in their right mind, take on a young writer?

I have this scrip for my very first scene in my idea and warner bro's said i had to have an literary agent thats assosiated to them so can anyone give me the links to those certain people and please no mean answers. :)

Do you know any reliable literary agents or publishing houses? I have a book for teenagers about designing kites, telescopes and etc. I would like to publish it. I am not interested in self-publishing service.