Move Over, On-line Dating, We Need On-line Literary Agent/Author Sites!

            Hey authors and agents! Have I got an idea for you!  Authors, by now you’ve realized how amazingly difficult it is to find a literary agent to represent you. If you haven’t received at least ten rejection letters, you’re not trying hard enough. And agents, aren’t you sick and tired of receiving countless queries that are giving you carpal tunnel syndrome just to delete them? Here’s where my brainstorm can help you.

            There are countless on-line dating websites out there – eHarmony (for lasting relationships), OurTime (if you’re older than 50 and don’t care how long it lasts), Spark (the name says it all), Chemistry (sounds too much like a class) and then of course, the specialty ones like Christian Mingle and JDate (the Jewish version of Christian Mingle). The playing field is wide open and it’s an equal opportunity for all. 

            I propose we do the same thing for literary agents and authors. Set up a site where authors can peruse agents and vice versa. It would work something like this:

            The author lists his/her proposals with key words such as: YA fiction, memoir, self-help, etc. They include pertinent information, a brief synopsis, and a few sample pages. If it’s what the agent is looking for, they simply “Click” for more details. 

            Conversely, the agent lists his/her specific interests. And I do mean specific. “Fiction” just doesn’t do it. Let the poor authors know what you want. (i.e. gritty urban fiction with beer guzzling protagonists who sleep with a gun under their pillows). At least give writers a fighting chance.

            The best part of this proposal is that it would eliminate the numerous agent messages that read “No longer taking submissions,” “No unsolicited submissions,” and “Leave our agency alone.” It would also do away with agents receiving proposals that make them want to poke their eyes out with a fork! 

            Literary world – Wake up and get on-line. This is one time and paper saving proposal that’s bound to make money for whoever sets up the website. And you’d better hurry before eHarmony decides to add it to their repertoire.