Tip: The Checking-Acknowledgments-For-Agent-Names Trick

This is a good one. Again, it's got to do with researching the industry and finding people who are likely to represent and buy the kind of writing that you do.

Zero in on a few known writers whose work you feel yours resembles. Go to the bookstore and look at the Acknowledgments pages of their books. Often, writers will thank their agents here. Write down what you find. You can usually find the addresses of these agents and agencies online or in Writer's Market.

Because these agents have had success (that is, sales) with these writers, they are more likely to take on similar writing to represent -- also, it's a sign that they simply like that type of writing. And, when you write your query letter to the agent in question, you can mention that your work is influenced by, or similar to, that of the writer in question. Agents find this flattering.

When I get a chance, I'll pull together examples of query letters that have worked here. Probably next month when I'm back from France. (Am I mentioning France a lot here? Oh, dear.)

Good luck.