"In this practical, immediately actionable guide, Lucinda Halpern, founder of the prestigious Manhattan-based agency Lucinda Literary, divulges what agents look for in authors and the shortcuts they use to get book deals but have never revealed--until now. Lucinda has personally witnessed how dramatically writers' lives can change when they publish their first book. But the path to literary success begins with knowing the answers to questions like: ] How do I make my book idea marketable to agents and publishers? ] What essential ingredients should my book pitch possess? ] What common pitfalls and errors should I avoid? ] How do I find a reputable agent who shares my vision? ] What can I do if I'm getting rejected by agents and publishers?"--