bit of advice

[Conceding to Kismet]

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about literary agencies. Does anyone know which ones might be the best for nonfiction book proposals? Do you know the ones who have connections to major publishing houses? I would like to get on this this weekend and it would be nice to have a target in mind for submissions. I am on the literary marketplace, but there are more than 400 agencies listed there. I would appreciate any input.

[Penelope Flynn]

Do you know anyone who has published nonfiction before? If so, contact them and ask who it was that they used as an agent and ask them for a referral so that you don't have to cold call. Also ask the person you know to look at your manuscript to see if it is of the quality they were expected to produce for the agent. If you don't know anyone, I can suggest but not from personal knowledge, Sophronia Scott http://thebooksistah.com/site/ She has a site and newsletter dedicated to publishing nonfiction. I don't have anything to publish yet but I do receive her newsletters and promotions and have found many of the seminars and links she provides for writers to be quite useful. I am certain that she will have an idea as to how you would prepare to contact an agent. I hope this helps.