Agent In Training

If you're determined to become a literary agent, the best way is to start at the bottom and learn the trade. The first step is to move to New York City, where most of the agents are. Not willing to relocate? Ah, go on, it's a grand big city full of people and trash and crime and more intellectual pursuits than you can shake a pencil at.

As soon as you arrive, you'll want to high-tail it over to the Beth Vesel Agency. Or pop in at Lippincott Massie McQuilkin. They're both looking for an office assistant-slash-agent in training.

A new job listing at Publishers Marketplace should provide you with all the particulars. I did not know until now that these two agencies shared office space, and office help as well. Given that they are short-handed these days, I might not query them right now. I'll wait until you've gotten your feet wet, as it were, in the position.

What might you find yourself doing all day? Running around like a headless chicken is my guess. They need a multi-tasker, which is a description of every mother I know these days. You have to answer the phone, keep track of checks and contracts, handle correspondence, talk nicely on the phone, work independently, be organized, file, keep the books, maintain the office, do the posting and order office supplies. These agents are looking for a full-time mammy, I swear to God.

But there's a sweetener in the position. Get the job, and the slush pile is yours. Wouldn't that be a fantastic education? Learn to evaluate manuscripts, and you'll find out more ways to stay out of the slush pile than two years of graduate work in Iowa.

No phone enquiries, please. But they do accept e-queries. Good luck in the job search.