Fiction writers seeking agent representation or a publisher can use these helpful resources for contact information.

Fiction and non-fiction writers can use a variety of resources available online to help them take the final step of seeking representation and publication. While some publishers are willing to look at unsolicited manuscripts, most of the big New York publishers no longer are, making it difficult to break into the business unless a writer has a clear understanding of what each publisher is looking for, and which agents have a track record of selling manuscripts. Here are some resources to help writers.

Poets & Writers

This site not only has a variety of free writing tips and articles on authors, it also has a database that lets writers narrow their searches depending on what king of publisher they're looking for. In addition, the database also provides an extensive list of magazine publications and contests. Entering a contest is a great way for writers to break into the publishing world, provided they can afford the entry fee.

Newpages

Newpages is a free service that provides visitors with up-to-date reviews of books and literary journals, and also has a database of publishers, contests and magazines currently seeking submission. Their entries page isn't as well-designed as the Poets & Writers database, but occasionally something might find its way into the Newpages listing without appearing in the Poets & Writers database.

Writers Market

Writers Market charges an annual fee to use their service, and the database for magazines isn't any different from the other free databases. However, Writers Market does provide up-to-date listings for hundreds of agents and provides writers with a clear list of what the agent is interested in considering for representation. Agents are also free to write any hints for submissions, as well as their credentials. Writers Market also has an extensive listing of publishers, both small and large, however searching for the publishers using the "refined search" can be problematic and lead to no search results.

Preditors and Editors

Not only does this site have a thorough listing of agents and editors, it also provides writers with information on how the agents and editors conduct their business. The goal of the site is to provide writers with details of agents and editors and warn against those who conduct their business in an unscrupulous way. Shady business practices and flimsy contracts can't be hidden on this site, and as a result Preditors and Editors has incurred the wrath of numerous unscrupulous agents.

Everyone Who's Anyone

An intriguing site written by an interesting man whose story alone is worth sitting down and reading. Don't be fooled by the author's explosive and confrontational personality because the list of editor email addresses and agent email addresses is worth its weight in gold. Writers can use the database to search for names from every single book publisher, and any agent as well. Occasionally, the list provides some hints about what kind of material a specific person is looking for, but beyond that the site is mostly a listing of names and nothing else. Consider downloading the author's book to show support for the work he's done. Then read the book and enjoy its great sense of humor.