Finding and Working with a Literary Agent
With Andy Ross

This is a class co-sponsored by MI and San Francisco Writers Conference/San Francisco Writers Foundation.

If you are seeking to get your book published, the first step is finding an agent to represent you. This class will lead you through the process of finding the right agent for you. We will discuss how to decide when your book is ready for submission, how to do research on agents, what a good agent will do for you, preparing book proposals that are convincing to agents and publishers, and describing the work of the agent in negotiating a contract. In the process, we will have a lot to say about the culture and business of publishing.

Andy Ross opened his literary agency in 2008. Prior to that, he was the owner of the legendary Cody's Books in Berkeley for 30 years. His agency represents books in a wide range of non-fiction genres including: narrative non-fiction, science, journalism, history, popular culture, memoir, and current events. He also represents literary, commercial, historical, crime, upmarket women’s fiction, and YA fiction.

For non-fiction Andy looks for writing with a strong voice, robust story arc, and books that tell a big story about culture and society by authors with the authority to write about their subject. In fiction, he likes stories about real people in the real world.

Andy is the author of The Literary Agent’s Guide to Writing a Non-Fiction Book Proposal. He has participated in writers conferences throughout the country and has taught classes about writing book proposals, composing query letters, working with agents, and getting published. His popular blog, “Ask the Agent: Night Thoughts About Books and Publishing”, has received over 400,000 unique views.

Authors Andy represents include: Daniel Ellsberg, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Anjanette Delgado, Elisa Kleven, Tawni Waters, Randall Platt, Mary Jo McConahay, Gerald Nachman, Michael Parenti, Paul Krassner, Milton Viorst, and Michele Anna Jordan.

Andy is a member of the Association of Author Representatives (AAR).

Check out his website and blog: www.andyrossagency.com.

For each class, we reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend your class, please email [email protected] at least ten days prior to receive a refund. All fees must be paid at the time of registration.