Are you trawling through the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook searching for suitable literary agents?
Here’s a simple tip that was given at a writers’ networking event I attended a few weeks ago:
Start at ‘Z’ and work backwards through the agents’ list in the Yearbook.
Apparently, agents at the end of the alphabet receive fewer submissions than those at the beginning, therefore you may have a better chance of being picked up by an agent with a name beginning with ‘X’, ‘Y’ or ‘Z’.
This is, of course, in addition to checking that the agent deals with your genre, is open to submissions etc. etc.
Maybe worth a try?
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by martin gosling on June 27, 2015 - 5:26 pm
Thank you Sally ~ a wizard idea! I shall let you know if it works.Yours, http://www.martingosling-writer.co.uk
Martin G.
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2015 16:22:24 +0000 To: goslingmartin@hotmail.com
#2 by Sally Jenkins on June 27, 2015 - 6:01 pm
Fingers crossed that it works for you, Martin!
#3 by susanjanejoness on June 27, 2015 - 5:42 pm
I’ve often thought this as well, Sally. So Zacary and Zoopers watch out, it’s in the post:}}
#4 by Sally Jenkins on June 27, 2015 - 6:04 pm
Best wishes with the submissions, Susan! I’m sure Zacary & Zoopers are in for a literary treat.
#5 by hilarycustancegreen on June 27, 2015 - 8:11 pm
I usually work from the far end… some whole ms requests., but I still don’t have an agent.
#6 by Sally Jenkins on June 28, 2015 - 7:28 pm
Whole ms requests are a big positive, Hilary. Keep at it!
#7 by Wendy Clarke on June 29, 2015 - 7:56 am
What a great tip – thanks, Sally. I shall try to remember that when the time comes.
#8 by Sally Jenkins on June 29, 2015 - 7:07 pm
Fingers crossed for you, Wendy and I hope that romance is coming along nicely.
#9 by KL Caley on June 29, 2015 - 11:21 am
What a great tip, Sally! I’m not quite at that stage yet but will have to bear this in mind. Thanks 🙂
#10 by Sally Jenkins on June 29, 2015 - 7:07 pm
I’m sure you’ll be at that stage before too long! Best wishes.
#11 by juliathorley on June 29, 2015 - 7:11 pm
Genius!
#12 by Nicola on June 30, 2015 - 7:52 am
Great tip. Now everyone is heading off to the Z’s, I’m gonna start in the middle 🙂 Thanks Sally.
#13 by Sally Jenkins on June 30, 2015 - 11:57 am
Good tactic, Nicola!
#14 by Linda on June 30, 2015 - 6:03 pm
Makes sense!
When I’m looking in the phone book for a taxi service, builder, plumber etc. I ignore all those that compete with each other to be first in the list by adding ‘A’s to their business names.
#15 by Sally Jenkins on June 30, 2015 - 6:52 pm
I know what you mean, Linda. There’s AAA Cars, Acme Taxis etc. I can’t see agents having to compete like that!