does anyone have tips on how to find a literary agent?

Pick up the latest copy of Writer's Market and look for one in there.

A literary agent will not necessarily bend over backwards to have you on their books, you have to recognize that they're just as busy as an publisher / editor...

The best way to gain representation would be to get noticed,. i.e. by entering ((and winning!)) writing competitions, short-stories, via competitions you can find in journals or online...

...the more credibility you have, the more likely someone will be interested to, at least, read what you have...

Good luck..

http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/

http://www.writersmarket.com/

Those are some websites to help, but you don't always need an agent. It depends on what you're trying to publish and who you're trying to publish it with.