• Use the correct format. Write the synopsis in third person, present tense, no matter what your manuscript is written in.
• Watch your length. To be safe, draft up a "long synopsis" (5-10 pages) as well as a "short synopsis" (1-2 pages). To discover an agent's specific preference, research their submission guidelines using this book, the Internet, or call and ask - then give them the length they ask for. If you're uncertain how many pages to send, err on the sort side.
• Make sure you know how your story fits within your targeted market.
• Use transitions. Don't tell your story with a series of unconnected declarative statements: "She yelled. He retaliated. They left." It makes for disjointed reading and interrupts the smooth flow of the story.
• Keep the authorial voice silent. Don't insert comments in the synopsis that address the agent directly to ensure she "gets it," such as: "The conflict is ..."

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Rachel Downes, a new junior agent at the Caren Johnson Literary Agency. 

GLA: How did you become an agent?

RD: I started interning for Caren in the fall of 2007, and I interned at her agency for nine months while attending school.  I was promoted to a junior agent this past spring and have been working as one since.

GLA: Have you sold anything so far?

RD: I haven’t sold anything independently yet, but I’ve assisted on the following projects: Once Again to Zelda by Marlene Wagman-Geller (Perigee, November 2008), Where Am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman (Wiley, November 2008) , How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Chouanard (Center Street/Grand Central Publishing, Summer 2009), You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay (Razorbill, Spring 2009), The Ex-Games by Jennifer Echols (Simon Pulse, Fall 2009), Skin Deep by Annaliese Evans/Anna J. Evans (Summer 2009), and The Briar Rose Series by Annaliese Evans/Anna J. Evans (Tor Books, beginning February 2009).

GLA: What are you looking for in terms of submissions?

RD: I am looking to acquire YA and middle grade fiction of all kinds; science fiction; and nonfiction in the following subjects: narrative, history, pop culture, humor, science, women’s studies and social science.

GLA: What's the best way to submit to you?

RD: I prefer to receive queries via e-mail.  If a query piques my interest, I’ll then request that the author send me a partial manuscript of his or her work.  I’ll accept partial manuscripts via snail mail, but not queries.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming writers' conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?

RD: I don’t yet know what my conference line-up will be for the near future.  It’s doubtful I’ll be going to anything the remainder of this year, but I’m hoping to go to attend some conferences in 2009.  If writers would like to keep track of any upcoming conferences Caren or I will be appearing at, they can visit this link.

GLA: Any advice for writers who want to pitch you?

RD: Writers need to do their research. The most frustrating part about being an agent is getting a query from an author who clearly didn’t look at what I represent and what I do not.  They also need to make sure they have the latest info on how to pitch me and in what format(s) I prefer to be pitched (see above). They should also remember that this is a business relationship. I am very friendly with all of my authors and often enjoy chatting with them before diving into the work part of conversations/e-mails. Keep in mind that when a writer is trying to land an agent though, he or she should remain as professional as possible.  Do I really need to know a writer has seven kids or bought 20 pairs of shoes in the last year in his or her cover letters and e-mails?  Unless it sells their stories, chances are authors can keep the personal anecdotes to a minimum.

      Query Rachel at rachel@johnsonlitagency.com.