Because of the unique nature of this query, I wrote the editors at
Google, sent them a copy of this letter, and asked them how to
proceed. They wrote back and graciously provided the guidelines.

I'm 54, the resident of an assisted living facility, (courtesy of
Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease), and derive an enormous amount of
satisfaction and joy from writing short stories.

You can read and hear a selection of the stories at Zen For Tough
Guys. [http://www.zenfortoughguys.com ].

Although my stories have appeared in roughly a dozen literary journals
and ezines, I have yet to have them published in book form. Which
brings me to my $300 question ($200+$100 tip):

QUESTION: what is the most effective, efficient and expeditious way of
getting these stories in front of a literary agent(s)? The agent must
belong to the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR) with an
eye toward short fiction.

I realize my request, at first blush, might appear a little naive, or
even goofy. Let's be honest: the odds of pulling this off are...

well, about the same the Red Sox faced in game 4 of their series with the Yankees.

Or Larry Page and Sergey Brin faced in their dorm room when designing
the first Google algorithm.

NOTA BENE: Please give this careful consideration before firing off a
quick reply. I don't want my reputation compromised in the publishing
industry and I don't want to have to ask Google to void the invoice.

Hello billyjoemcallister~

I want to begin this answer by saying a few things about the business
of publishing. It sounds as though you already have a pretty good idea
of these realities, but I?d feel I was short changing you (or any
other writer) if I didn?t point this out.

There are too many people (on the Internet, advertising in writing
magazines, etc.) who promise a great deal to novice and up-and-coming
writers...and most of those promises are deceptive (or at least
impractical). The reality of publishing in the 21st century is that
short stories aren?t in high demand?and neither are compilations of
short stories. Therefore, even the most talented short story writer in
the world may have trouble getting national exposure?let alone a book
contract.

I tell you this not to discourage you, but to help you realize (if you
don?t already) the hill you have to climb. But as someone who?s been
in the business for over 13 years, and has as many published book
titles under her belt, I?m here to tell you that despite the odds, it
can be done?if you?re patient.

That said, let?s move on to the most ?effective, efficient and
expeditious? way of finding an agent.


MAKING A NAME FOR YOURSELF

First, look at where you are in your writing career. You don?t mention
which magazines have published your work; I don?t see that information
on your website, either. (In attempting to find out where you?ve been
published, I did a Google search for ?by Martin Bayne.? Unfortunately,
there is more than one author with this name.)

Why is your publishing history important? Because most writers climb a
ladder before they see their first book in print. They begin by
getting published in lower-end magazines or newspapers, work their way
into better paying and better known magazines, and only then are able
to convince an editor (or agent) that their work is worth publishing.
Therefore, your first step should be to make something of a ?name? for
yourself. You don?t have to be famous to have a book published, but
you need to show agents and editors that you have an audience.

If you don?t already own a copy, get yourself the latest edition of
?The Novel & Short Story Writer?s Market?
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1582972745/qid=1106780149/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-9760957-7509606?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
). Read all the articles in the book; typically, some magazines are
mentioned as being more well-known than others. You can also get a
good idea of the reputation of each magazine by looking at how much
they pay (clearly listed in ?Writer?s Market?). Typically, better
known and more widely distributed magazines pay more.

It?s now your goal to get published in the most famous magazines you possibly can.


ACHIEVING YOUR NEW GOAL

Some writers like to start with top markets; they study the magazine,
study the guidelines provided by the staff and by ?Writer?s Market,?
and submit an appropriate story. The theory goes: ?If it gets accepted
at the top market...Great! And if it doesn?t, I?ll work my way down
the ladder until I find publications suitable for my work.?

Other writers (probably the majority) start with more modest
publications (still studying the magazines and guidelines, and
submitting their stories accordingly), and gradually work their way up
to more recognized publications. The theory here is that if you have
writing credits to show, editors at the top magazines may be more apt
to read your work.

Both theories have their pros and cons, and one is no more correct
than another. However, in both instances, it?s vital to submit stories
that are appropriate for each individual magazine. For example, don?t
send a two page short story to a magazine like ?The New Yorker,? which
favors much longer pieces. Similarly, don?t send a thriller to a
magazine that publishes romances. Etc.

Take your stories as far as they will go. Don?t hesitate to submit to
well-known magazines, if they are appropriate markets for your
stories.


HOW DO AGENTS FIT IN?

Once you feel you?ve reached a high point in your magazine writing
career, THEN you can approach a book editor or agent.

You may wonder if you can interest an agent in submitting your stories
to magazines. The answer is no. Unless you?re already famous,
reputable agents aren?t interested in this line of work. The reasons
are simple: Not enough magazines buy short stories, and not many
magazines pay well for them. (If the magazine doesn?t pay well, not
only is your income small, but so is the agent?s.)



CONTACTING AGENTS

Now the question becomes: How do I find a good agent? You?re on the
right track, by insisting that the agent belong to AAR. But as I?m
sure you know, that includes hundreds?if not thousands?of agents. How
do you narrow down the choices and find just the right agent?

Probably the easiest, most efficient way is to get your hands on the
most recent copy of ?Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and
Literary Agents? (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/076153735X/qid=1106780782/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/002-9760957-7509606?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
) This book, which is updated periodically, is the most handy guide I
have ever found because it gives you *personal insight* into each
agent. It lists not only the sort of work an agent will consider
looking at, but what they?ve sold in the past, what they?re seeking
for the future, and (quite usefully!) what their personal interests
are.

Reading through the agent listings, you?ll undoubtedly find that a few
agents stick out for you?often because their interests (literary and
personal) are similar to yours. These agents should go to the top of
your list.

(Barring the use of this book, there is the good ol? standby: ?The
Literary Marketplace,? or ?LMP,?  which is a massive book with lists
of agents. Most libraries have it on their reference shelves.)

Approach each agent with a personalized letter. It should be one page
only, and written in a professional manner--but don?t hesitate to
mention what drew you to them. For example, I once caught the eye of
an agent by mentioning her interest in historical fashion--and
pointing out that this was a favorite subject of mine, also.

Clearly outline your experience: List the most prominent magazines
that have published your work. Give a very brief bio of yourself (no
longer than one average-length paragraph). If you want to include more
information, do so on your website, and let the agent know he or she
can discover more at that address.

The heart of your letter, however, is the book you?re marketing.
Explain what the nature of the book is. In order to do this
effectively, you must have a strong concept. It isn?t enough to say ?I
want to publish a book of my short stories.? Especially in this day
and age (when few readers pay attention to modern short story
writers), you need a much stronger ?hook.? Come up with an awesome
theme?and a catchy title that suits that theme. Your best bet will be
to come up with a theme that?s timely, but not so newsy it will be
?out of date? in a year or two?s time. In your letter, explain the
theme of your book in one or two strong sentences.

It?s important to begin your letter with a strong ?hook,? too. Catch
the agent?s interest immediately. The first line must compel the agent
to read on. The first paragraph must compel him or her to move on to
the second paragraph, and the second paragraph compel him or her to go
to the third, etc. In short, this letter must be as finely crafted as
one of your stories.

Be sure to address your letter directly to the agent, and include a
self-addressed, stamped, envelope (SASE). In addition, include one or
two copies of your most compelling, published stories. (And if that
story will be in your book, so much the better.) Don?t send them in
manuscript form; either tear your story out of the publication, or
send the agent a copy of the story as it appeared in the magazine.

It is acceptable to submit letters to more than one agent, as long as
you let all the agents know that you?ve done this. All you need to do
is say something along these lines: ?Thank you for considering this
simultaneous submission.?


MORE INFO ON QUERIES

This above-described letter is called a ?query letter.? On the
Internet, there?s a lot of good advice about such letters, although
most of it?s geared toward magazine articles. Nonetheless, here are
some sites with valuable tips:

* ?How To Write a Query Letter? at PageWise:
http://ga.essortment.com/howtowritequ_rrxu.htm

* ?Key Ingredients of an Effective Query Letter to Agents?:
http://www.junecotner.com/Dec2002PTM.htm

* ?So You Wanna Write a Query Letter to a Literary Agent? at
SoYouWanna: http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/minis/mini/publishbookMINI/publishbookMINI3.html

* Sample of a good query letter (for a novel), at Nicholas? Sparks
website: http://www.nicholassparks.com/WritersCorner/Query.html  (Note
that the real letters were addressed to a specific person.)



WHAT HAPPENS ?AFTER??

Once you?ve mailed your first batch of queries (I wouldn?t recommend
targeting more than 5-8 agents at one time, at most), you?re left
waiting. (This is a good time to polish your old stories, and get some
new ones published in magazines.)  Each agent will respond in one of
these ways:

* A rejection letter. This is a normal part of the writing experience,
so don?t let it get you down. But if the agent has taken the time to
make personal comments about your writing, be flattered! It means they
think you have talent.

* A ?maybe? letter. The agent may comment that they like your work,
but are uncertain it?s right for them (if so, ask them to recommend
another agent...then contact that agent with a query letter, being
sure to say something along the lines of ?So-and-so recommended I
contact you...? in your opening paragraph); aren?t positive your
writing is ready for the book world; aren?t certain your book theme is
strong enough; or something similar. Maybe letters are a good thing;
be flexible, and willing to listen to the advice of a pro. (On the
other hand, don?t compromise your writing; if it feels wrong to you,
then the agent may simply be the wrong person to handle your work.)

* A ?Send me your manuscript? letter. This is the letter all writers long for!

Once you send your complete manuscript, then you must wait some more.
The editor may reject your completed manuscript, may reply with a
?maybe,? or...if you?re very fortunate...say that yes, they want to
represent your work.



BOTTOM LINE:

As you can see, this isn?t a particularly short process. However,
there are no legitimate short cuts. Happily, you?ll learn a lot along
the way. Each experience with a magazine editor, each rejection
letter, each contact with an agent (even if they don?t think they want
you as a client) is a step toward your final goal.



I believe this answers your question thoroughly, but if anything is
unclear, please don?t hesitate to request a clarification before
rating this answer.


Good luck!

Kriswrite

RESEARCH STRATEGY:
Researcher?s personal knowledge
Google Search: query letter samples

---

Request for Answer Clarification by billyjoemcallister-ga on 26 Jan 2005 23:35 PST

what is the most effective, efficient and expeditious way of
getting these stories in front of a literary agent(s)? The agent must
belong to the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR) with an
eye toward short fiction.

The fact that you locked this question for eight hours is insulting.
It is clear that you:
(1) Completely trashed my original question and substituted your own
(2) Did not take my NOTA BENE seriously

If I had wanted someone to précis any one of 300 articles that appear
on this subject in Writersmarket.com alone, that's what I would have
requested

That you have written X or 30X novels is not even remotely connected
to my original objective of getting a selection of my short stories in
front of an agent. Either you have a knowledge of the industry
sufficient to make this happen or you don't. You don't.

This question remains unanswered.

---

Clarification of Answer by kriswrite-ga on 27 Jan 2005 07:07 PST

Billyjoemcallister~

I'm sorry you weren't pleased with my answer. 

I did not have it locked for eight hours; the Google Answer bot had it
locked up until about three hours before I posted my answer. This bot
prevents any Researcher from locking or answering your question. Rest
assured, I did not take your question lightly, and would not have
answered it if I knew I couldn't provide a true and honest answer.

I have provided you with truly the most effective, efficient, and
expeditious way of getting your work in front of agents so that they
may seriously consider it. It is effective because it has proven
itself for thousands of writers. It is efficient because trying to
take shortcuts will prevent success with those agents. It is
expeditious because it is proven, truly works, and is the professional
way to get your work noticed.

Perhaps you can be more specific about why you feel the answer is
lacking? What had you hoped to read that you did not? What are your
specific concerns?

Kind regards,
Kriswrite

---

Request for Answer Clarification by billyjoemcallister-ga on 27 Jan 2005 11:42 PST

This is the copy of a letter I just sent to answer-editor@google.com


This question is still UNANSWERED.

I wrote to you for clarification before even submitting this question,
as I was fearful of attracting someone who clearly did not understand
my query.

The question: 

what is the most effective, efficient and expeditious way of
getting these stories in front of a literary agent(s)? The agent must
belong to the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR) with an
eye toward short fiction.

was unambiguously presented in three parts:

1)I have written a substantial block of short stories. (I even gave
the URL a selection of the stories could be found)

2)I need to "get in front" of an agent with these stories

3)The agent must be a member of AAR.

** I even wrote a NOTA BENE cautioning researchers that I was not
about to spend $300 ($200+$100 tip) on an answer that did NOT SATISFY
my specific requirements.

What I feared would happen, happened.

Just so there's no confusion about the value of MY $300, here is an
example of the kind of answer I was looking for...

Dear billyjoemcallister,

Went to your web site and reviewed the selection of stories I found
there. (Not the kind of subject matter that appeals to me, but very
well written)

As it happens, I've penned (my brother penned, my Aunt Muriel penned
etc) a few short stories myself, and last year found an AAR agent who
was willing to shop an anthology to some of the bigger houses. It took
us 8 months, but MIT Press finally gave us the green light on a 322
page anthology. I spoke to the agent about your stories and he's
agreed to read them. You can contact him at 2435664DERSxxx@yahoo.com 
(Leave out the three x's in his mailing address) Good Luck.

---

Clarification of Answer by kriswrite-ga on 31 Jan 2005 07:24 PST

Again, I'm sorry you aren't completely satisfied, billyjoemcallister.
It now appears that you wanted a Researcher to take your work to an
agent, personally. Your original answer didn't mention this, however.
In addition, I'm afraid you'll end up disappointed if someone does
this for you. Even if an agent agrees to look at your stories, book
editors aren't likely to consider your work until you have more
substatial publishing credits. It may seem unfair, but that's
generally how it works. If you don't want to wait and build up
magazine credits, I suggest you skip an agent and take approach a
small press. (Agents rarely work with small presses, because pay is
lower.)

In the meantime, if you want to have this answer removed, you'll need
to follow the guidelines at:
http://www.answers.google.com/answers/faq.html#refund

Regards,
Kriswrite

I have contacted the researcher and clarified the issue of my question
remaining unanswered. The researcher agrees that, based on my
criteria, the question remains unanswered. I am therefore submitting
this refund request.

Martib Bayne

What an excellent answer! Kriswrite has offered some great insights.

I'd like to add one thing. 

Many years ago, I had the pleasure of corresponding with the great
Isaac Asimov. In a letter, I mentioned to Isaac that I was hoping to
publish a collection of my short stories. His response: "Podner, the
chance o' that happenin' is slim to none. And slim just left town." I
should add that Isaac liked to josh with me about my being from
Oklahoma, so the mock-western tone of his remark was a joke, but the
advice itself was quite serious. It is a lot easier to find a
publisher for a novel than for a collection of short stories. That's
true even for well-established authors.

Greetings Billyjoemcallister,

I'd like to add another book title for you to consider: Write the
Perfect Book Proposal - 10 That Sold and Why by Jeff Herman and
Deborah Levine Herman (Jeff is a well-known literary agent). I have
the book, and the information in it seems very complete and well
presented.  Ten examples are given of authentic book proposals that
resulted in publication, and I am learning a great deal from reviewing
them.

Amazon's search-inside-the-book feature is available for this book at
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471353124/ref=pd_sim_b_1/102-5091853-3936111?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
so that a customer may peruse the contents before purchasing the
volume.

Hope this assists you, and good luck on your quest for publication.  :)

Best regards,
journalist-ga

PS  Here are links to two interview/conversations with Herman:

A Conversation with Jeff Herman by Claire E. White
http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/feb00/herman.htm

Common Questions Writers Ask Me About Literary Agents by Jeff Herman
http://www.authorlink.com/605001in.html

Best regards,
journalist-ga

Dear billyjoemcallister,

With all due respect - you are wrong: This question clearly remains
not unanswered. As you can see, you have received a detailed,
well-written answer.

Scriptor

I've had some experience in publishing (mostly newspaper and
magazines; a little  in book publishing), and I believe Kriswrite has
given you a very solid, very helpful answer.

The unhappy fact is, short story collections sell almost as poorly as
poetry. It's maddening, but it's just the reality of the industry:
Many agents and publishers won't even consider a short story
collection.

The steps Kriswrite outlined for you are really your best bet. And,
like journalist-ga, I heartily endorse Jeff Herman's book, which
features interviews with agents discussing what kinds of materials
they do -- and don't -- represent. That's the best resource for
finding an agent who may be interested in representing you.

Hi Billyjoemcallister,

I know it may not seem like it to you, but there are at least three
published authors in this answer and comments section. Kriswrite I
believe has the highest actual number of books in print. If you are
simply looking for agent contacts, perhaps just request a
clarification with that information. I thought from reading the answer
and responses that the authors among us were trying to explain that
unsolicited submissions rarely find joy among AAR agents.

I wish you the best of luck, 
Mother911-ga

Here are my answer to your three questions. I do want to say that the
long answer given by kriswrite is a good answer. It really does tell
you how to approach agents. Nonetheless, you wanted some specific
answers.

1)I have written a substantial block of short stories. (I even gave
the URL a selection of the stories could be found).

I love the URL for your short story collection: Zen for Tough Guys.
Makes me want to read the book right now. I have not reviewed the
stories themselves yet.

2)I need to "get in front" of an agent with these stories

Here are some agents that have sold short story collections in the
past year (from my database of 1500 literary agents):

Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Agency, Henry Dunow, 22 West 23rd Street, 5th
Floor, New York NY 10010. Email: henry@dunowcarlson.com. Web:
http://www.dunowcarson.com. Sold rights to Elizabeth Kadetsky's First
There Is a Mountain: A Yoga Memoir to Little, Brown. Sold rights to
Christina Bartolomeo's novel The Side of the Angels to Scribner. Sold
rights to Paul Zakrzewski's anthology Lost Tribe to Harper. Sold
rights to Gregory Spatz's short story collection Wonderful Tricks to
Mid-List Press. Sold rights to Kevin Baker's novel Paradise Alley to
HarperCollins. Sold rights to David Shields's Body Politic to Simon &
Schuster. Sold rights to Alice Sebold's first novel The Lovely Bones
to Little, Brown. Sold rights to Amanda Davis's novel Wonder When
You'll Miss Me to Morrow. Sold rights to Rachel Pastan's first novel
State of Marriage to Viking. Sold rights to Melanie Thernstrom's The
Pain Diaries to Farrar, Straus. Sold rights to Christina Bartolomeo's
romantic novel Snowed In to St. Martin's. Sold rights to Maury Klein's
The Change Makers to Holt/Times.

John Hawkins & Associates, Matthew Miele, 71 West 23rd Street #1600,
New York NY 10010-4101; 212-807-7040; Fax: 212-807-9555. Email:
jhamiele@aol.com. Sold rights to Matthew Derby's Super Flat Times
short story collection to Back Bay Books. Sold rights to a short story
anthology Lit Riffs to Pocket. Has sold two short story collections in
the time I've been tracking agents. Might be a good one to try first.

Jonathan James Agency, Jonathan James. Email: jameslit11@hotmail.com.
Focus on quality literary fiction and short story collections. Sold
rights to E.D. McMillan's novel Peter & Sarah to Scribner.

Lukeman Literary Management, Noah Lukeman, President, 101 North 7th
Street, Brooklyn NY 11211; 718-599-8988; Fax: 775-264-2189. Email:
lukelit@aol.com or rights@lukeman.com or subrights4@lukeman.com. Web:
http://www.lukeman.com. Author of The Five First Pages. Previously,
while an agent with AMG, he sold rights to Vivian Heller's A City
Beneath Us: The 100 Year Evolution of the New York Subway System to
Norton; The Home Organizing Workbook to Chronicle; and Erika Lenkert's
The Last Minute Party Girl: A Modern Guide to Fabulous Entertaining to
Contemporary. Sold rights to Phyllis Moore's debut short story
collection, A Compendium of Skirts, to Carroll & Graf. Sold rights to
John L'Heureax's novel The Miracle to Atlantic Monthly Press. Sold
rights to Dr. Alan Hirsch's What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about
Sinusitis to Warner. Sold rights to John Smolens's novel The Invisible
World to Random/Shaye Areheart. Sold rights to Fred Miller's Yoga for
Common Aches and Pains to Perigee Books. Sold rights to three new
myteries by Victor Gischler to Bantam Dell. Sold rights to Terrie
Williams's The Hunter's Breath to M. Evans. Sold rights to Lawrence
Grobel's The Art of the Interview to Three Rivers Press. Sold
paperback rights to Victor Gischler's first novel Gun Monkeys to
Bantam Dell.

Regal Literary, Peter Steinberg, 27 West 20th Street #1103, New York
NY 10011-3707; 212-807-0888; Fax: 212-807-0461. Sold rights to a novel
(Jane) and short story collection by Brad Watson to Norton. Sold
rights to Ben Jones's first novel The Rope Eater to Doubleday. Sold
rights to Wendy Shanker's Fat Girl's Guide to Life to Bloomsbury. Sold
rights to Cathy Day's first collection of interrelated stories The
Circus in Winter to Harcourt. Auctioned rights to Keith Donohue's
first novel The Stolen Child to Nan A. Talese at Doubleday.

Trident Media Group, Jenny Bent, 41 Madison Avenue, 36th Floor, New
York NY 10010; 212-262-4810; Fax: 212-262-4849. Email:
jenlbent@aol.com or jbent@tridentmediagroup.com. Web:
http://www.tridentmediagroup.com. Formerly with Harvey Klinger, but
joined Trident in September 2003. Focuses on self-help, psychology,
health, and spirituality. ?I encourage authors, especially someone who
has a quirky book, to self-publish. It requires a tremendous amount of
passion to be picked up by a mainstream publisher. But once you've
sold enough copies on your own, they will take you on, because they're
confident that the book has an audience.? Sold rights to Molly Barker
and Girls on the Run's Climbing Out of the Girl Box to Ballantine.
Sold rights to Today Show correspondents Dr. Kevin Soden and Dr.
Christine Dumas's Inside Medicine: Ten Ways to Get the Same Special
Health Care Your Doctor Gets to Berkley. Sold rights to a novel and
short story collection by Ann Cummins to Houghton Mifflin. Sold rights
to Jayson Gallaway's Diary of a Viagra Fiend: Tales of Sex, Drugs, and
Temporary Employment to Atria. Sold rights to Donna Moreau's Waiting
Wives to Atria. Sold rights to Ed Hotaling's biography of jockey Jimmy
Winkfield to McGraw-Hill. Sold rights to Jill Connor Browne's next two
books in the Sweet Potato Queens series to Crown for seven figures.
Sold rights to Lynda Sandoval's Latin novel Unsettling to Rayo/Harper
for six figures to be published simultaneously in English and Spanish.
Sold rights to Laurie Notaro's Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club
(after Notaro originally published it with iUniverse.com). Also sold
rights to Notaro's next two books to Villard. Sold rights to Amy
Mahler Beanland and Emily Miles Terry's next two Chick books to
Workman. Sold rights to Karin Gillespie's first novel to Simon &
Schuster. Sold rights to Dawn Prince-Hughes's Songs of the Gorilla
Nation to Harmony. Sold rights to Julie Hilden's first novel (erotic
suspense) to Plume. Sold rights to Dr. Vincent Giampapa, Dr. Ronald
Pero, and Marcia Zimmerman's The Ageless Equation to Wiley for six
figures. Sold rights to three chick lit crime novels by self-publisher
Jennifer Colt to Broadway. Sold rights to Amanda Trimble's first novel
Singeltini to Three Rivers Press. Jenny is one of the top agents in
the business, so probably a tough sell.

3)The agent must be a member of AAR.

I believe that the agents listed above are all memters of AAR. I do
know that they are all reputable.

John Kremer, author, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books
See also: http://www.bookmarket.com/newnovels.html.