Agent in UK or USA?

by Philip
(UK)

QUESTION

I'm writing my first novel. It features an American boy who has to leave and go live with his mother and step-father in England.

Should I ptch this to an agent in Uk or USA? I've lived in both countries.

ANSWER

If you live in the UK, you should pitch it to an agent in the UK, as you will generally have more success in your home country than abroad. Your UK agent will then try to sell foreign rights to the USA and other countries, usually through a subagent in each country.

A larger concern, however, is when to pitch to the agent, and you should not do that until you are certain that the book is ready for publication. I strongly recommend that you seek professional advice on that, particularly if it is your first novel.