I've been working on my novel for a while and I think it's finally ready to be seen by the world. I've been doing some research and it seems like the best route for getting a traditional publishing deal is through a literary agent. I'm wondering if anyone here has gone through this process and can share some advice. What are the best resources for finding an agent? How do you even approach them?

While I'm aiming for the big leagues like Penguin Books publishers, I'm also realistic and open to any good publishing home. Are there any particular agents or agencies that are known for working with new writers? Any tips on writing a compelling query letter would be especially helpful.

Thanks for the help!