I got a book I'm writing and I'm seeking traditional publishing.

@JMSW -- I assumed that part up front, otherwise there would be no need for an agent. What is more important is what sort of book is it? If fiction, is it genre and if so what genre?

You see, you can't just say generic agent. There are specialists who limit themselves to 1 to 3 genres and some that cover a broader spectrum. There are those who work for agencies and those who work independently. The trick to having a successful experience with an agent is finding one that fits you, your book, and the market aim. Given that information, I could point you in some directions to get started.

@evidentialist it is a fiction book but based on my real life. I changed the timeline and fictionalized some aspects of it but it follows what has happened in my real life.

@JJWS112482 -- Okay, that's better. Now we have something we can work with. Next step: Are you willing to send me the first three chapters? If so, I'll message you my email address and instructions on the format I want. The reason for this is for me to have a better idea how it reads to narrow the type down further and determine what your chances are of being accepted by an agent. If it needs work to make it, I'll let you know that too. And, yes, this is a one time freebie.

It's important for you to know that agents don't just accept mss willy-nilly. They, like publishers, make their money on what they can sell, and that makes them selective. Their reputation with the houses rests on what they take on, so they won't pitch just anything.

@evidentialist i am sorry but i can not send the chapters but will tell you it reads like a narrative/memoir.

@JJWS112482 -- Care to explain why you can't send chapters? I can give only general information otherwise. I can tell you that memoirs seem to be selling fairly well in today's market, so the best of luck to you.

@evidentialist paranoid.

@evidentialist what is your email address?

@JJWS112482 -- For your paranoia, I have been functioning in and around this business since 1956. At any one time I have between 20 and 150 short story mss from different authors for reasons from editing to critiquing to rewriting to publishing either to other publications or to one of my anthologies that I market through my publishers. Right now I have 3 mss for novels from other authors in my system for editing.

In addition to the above, I am an author with a bit over 2000 short stories published over the years, 8 novels published and 3 in the works. Not only do I not need to steal, copy, revise, or copy portions of the work of others, I don't want to. There are times when I kick my mental posterior because an idea or rendering comes through my files I wish I had thought of or written, but that's it.

In spite of there being well over 2 million aspiring authors out there in the literary hinterlands, the business itself is small and the majority would rather not have their reputations sullied by underhanded dealings because it gets around fast.

As soon as you say it's okay, I'll message you with my email address and basic instructions about file type and format. Sound good?