Dear Geist,

How can I find a literary agent, and information on publishers of illustrated novels, for my illustrated book about Amazonian myths and folklore? From my experience with my first literary agent I am aware that it is typically more difficult to find publishers and agents for books of this kind.

Dear Harrison,

for more information on special-interest books. It’s smart to become familiar with books similar to yours in subject, content, tone and presentation. The readers and buyers of those books are potential readers and buyers of yours, and publishers of similar books are more likely than others to consider your book.

We’re guessing that you’re in the market for a new agent because the one you refer to in your note has been unable to place your manuscript—illustrated fiction for adult readers being a much more specialized category than conventional fiction.

A few things you might try:



Research South American publishers with an eye to proposing that they translate and publish the book (if your agent didn’t do so).



for more on these codes.) Then search the codes to see what other books are in that category, and search those books to see how they’re doing in terms of sales, media coverage and online chat.



Consider marketing your digital edition, or undertaking ebook self-publication.



as a good source of reliable information on getting an agent, getting published and self-publishing.