A working Hollywood talent agent gives honest and humorous advice to aspiring actors.

Actors at every stage of their careers have a lot of questions, and Ask an Agent gives a lot of answers. Do I need an agent? How do I get one? What will an agent do for me? When is it time to switch agents? Help is on the way! Author Margaret Emory--a talent agent for more than fourteen years--writes Ask an Agent, the most popular column in America's foremost publication for working actors, Back Stage. In clear, straightforward text, she gives the agent's spin on everything from headshots and resumes to auditions, casting directors, and managers. Ask an Agent offers real help for the real world of acting.

This book is no bull, straight from the mouth of a blunt talent agent, currently hustling for over 500 clients and closing deals daily. His words are legit instructions on how to be a working actor in film and TV. Organized into three sections: Getting an Agent, Working with Your Agent, and Thriving with Your Agent, this Q&A format addresses actor questions at all stages of a career. After nearly a decade of sitting on panels and acknowledging that the majority of raised hands are never called upon, Jason Lockhart decided to answer them ALL, right here, right now, in an energetic, honest, and organized place. Getting inside the mind of an agent is crucial, as they are generally the first gatekeeper to an actor's success. Consider this book your secret weapon to breaking in or leveling up.

Captivate the hearts and minds of young adult readers! Writing for young adult (YA) and middle grade (MG) audiences isn't just "kid's stuff" anymore--it's kidlit! The YA and MG book markets are healthier and more robust than ever, and that means the competition is fiercer, too. In Writing Irresistible Kidlit, literary agent Mary Kole shares her expertise on writing novels for young adult and middle grade readers and teaches you how to: • Recognize the differences between middle grade and young adult audiences and how it impacts your writing. • Tailor your manuscript's tone, length, and content to your readership. • Avoid common mistakes and cliches that are prevalent in YA and MG fiction, in respect to characters, story ideas, plot structure and more. • Develop themes and ideas in your novel that will strike emotional chords. Mary Kole's candid commentary and insightful observations, as well as a collection of book excerpts and personal insights from bestselling authors and editors who specialize in the children's book market, are invaluable tools for your kidlit career. If you want the skills, techniques, and know-how you need to craft memorable stories for teens and tweens, Writing Irresistible Kidlit can give them to you.

Written by a top literary agent who gives writers an insider's view of how to find and work with an agent throughout the process of getting published. Includes: -- How to know that you're ready for an agent -- 7 ways to find an agent -- Writing a cover letter that grabs attention -- What to do with an agent once you've got one -- What you can expect and what you'd better not hope for -- Making sure this is the right agent for you -- Congratulations, now you have an agent AND an editor -- How to avoid the 7 worst pitfalls for aspiring writers -- And much, much more. In today's highly competitive publishing industry, literary agents are more important than ever. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, reference or children's books, here is everything you need to know about using an agent to launch and sustain your literary career.a

Author and former literary agent Nathan Bransford shares his secrets for creating killer plots, fleshing out your first ideas, crafting compelling characters, and staying sane in the process. Read the guide that New York Times bestselling author Ransom Riggs called "The best how-to-write-a-novel book I've read."

What does it take to achieve your personal and professional goals? When is the right time to take calculated risks, and how do you prepare for the moment when opportunity presents itself? If anyone can show you how to do this, it’s Nicole Lynn. As the first Black female agent to represent a top three NFL draft pick, Nicole worked her way from childhood poverty to become a Wall Street financial analyst, then attorney, and now top agent to elite athletes and entertainers. In a male-dominated profession, her success was earned through a combination of hard work, preparation, self-advocacy, tenacity, and faith. "In this book, Nicole reveals her incredible journey and how she got where she is today." -Gabrielle Union (from the foreword) Agent You shares Nicole’s key strategies for creating a plan and executing it, even in the face of self-doubt and external obstacles. In Agent You, Nicole will teach you how to: Discover and stay focused on your purpose. Develop your personal brand and advocate for yourself. Prepare for big opportunities. Land your dream job. Manage your workload and still prioritize self-care. Each chapter includes exercises to help you implement the strategies presented, so you can start working toward your goals today. You define what success looks like, unlock a plan to succeed on your own terms. What will your legacy be? Regardless of what life’s challenges you face, everyone can own their success story and walk in their purpose -- and Nicole believes you are your best agent.