Forget finding an ‘open’ agent for a second. First, find the right agency. Many mid-sized to larger agencies have a ‘submissions’ email that funnels to junior agents or assistants who are actively building their lists. They’re hungry. Research the agency’s overall client list—do you like the books they publish? If so, submitting through their general portal can be a great backdoor. An assistant might read your query, love it, and champion it internally. This is especially true for agencies known for a particular genre strength, like a powerhouse in commercial thriller or literary fiction.