For authors who have decided to go the traditional publishing route, finding an agent can be one of the most important (and overwhelming) parts of the process. Here is an overview of how to go about finding an agent.
Are You Ready to Start Querying?
There is no hard and fast answer for this, but in general, the manuscript should be in a place where you feel you’ve taken it as far as you can and you are happy with the content. It should not be a first draft and it should have been reviewed by at least two other people, ideally other writers or a professional editor. While there’s nothing wrong with friends and family reading your work and giving feedback, they don’t count as an outside source (unless they are a writer/editor, but I still recommend having someone outside your inner circle provide feedback).
The most important aspect to have solid is the structure and plot. A few typos here and there won’t derail your chances of representation. These can be fixed during production by in-house editors. However, without a good story, agents and publishers will pass. That said, the cleaner the manuscript, the better your shot of getting representation.
Before You Query
Do your research. Look for agents who are interested in your genre. Check the acknowledgements of authors you love, search online, check social media for query calls (#MSWL). Organize your query information so you can keep track of who you’ve reached out to and your progress. Your list of agents to query should be long (a number often thrown around is 50). Cast your net wide. Make sure that you are only making serious queries. This means that the agent/publisher fulfills the following criteria:
They are currently open for submissions
They represent your genre
They represent your age category (children, YA, adults)
Note: Double check the types of submissions the agent is currently looking for. They might represent sci-fi and literary fiction authors, but only be looking to take on sci-fi authors.
While not strictly necessary, it is usually a good idea to start with agents who are based in your country.
What You’ll Need to Query
In most cases, you will need a query letter and a synopsis although you may also be asked for other information, such as chapters from your manuscript, a resume and comp titles. Always follow the instructions provided on the agent’s website. Resist giving them additional information that was not requested. Agents receive hundreds of submissions and for most, authors who don’t follow submission instructions are an automatic rejection.
The query letter
The query letter is the first thing the agent reads and needs to get them interested in your work. Query letters should be personalized for each agent. If you met them at an event, mention it, especially if they asked you to reach out. If you don’t have a personal connection to the agent, then lead with information that shows you’ve done your research. Do they have a blog that you read? Maybe there’s a connection in their bio. Does their submissions wish list describe the manuscript you’ve written? Do you both love dogs? Try to keep it specific to professional interests, but the important thing is to show you’ve chosen the agent because you think you’re a good fit, not because you’re simply querying every agent you can find.
Once you’ve made the personal connection, make sure to include the following:
Title, genre and word count
If the manuscript is part of a planned series, briefly mention it
Brief summary of the narrative
Short bio covering your writing credentials (this should be the shortest part of the letter)
If this is your first novel, mention this and find ways to show you are a serious writer. Examples include mentioning your work has been professionally edited, writing groups you are part of, writing classes you’ve taken, relevant degrees or certificates, any writing you’ve done in the past (essays, reviews or blogs), and any editing you’ve done.
If you have a background in the subject matter, mention it. For example, if your protagonist is an ER nurse and you are also an ER nurse, use this to prove why you are the right person to tell this story.
Any other information that the agent has requested. This may include comp titles, where else you’ve queried or previous publications.
A query letter should be short. No more than a page.
The synopsis
The synopsis is often the hardest piece to write. This is the full outline of the narrative. Everything that happens, including the ending, needs to be included as succinctly as possible. Be direct, avoid unnecessary adjectives and tangents, but try to give a sense of your writing style. This is a technical document, so don’t worry too much about it seeming dry. Most synopses do.
Querying
Cast your net wide. Simultaneous queries are commonplace, so send a bunch at a time unless an agent you are really interested in working with only accepts exclusive submissions. If this is the case, they should provide a duration for the exclusivity.
Pick a manageable number of submissions to send out at a time, a few weeks or months apart. This gives you time to research other agents and to get feedback to tweak future submissions. Organize the queries based on fit. Query the agents you’d most like to work with first (assuming they are currently taking submissions) and move toward the ones you are less interested in. You can also start with the agents you’re less interested in working with in the hopes that you get some feedback to refine your query before sending to the agents at the top of your list. I recommend batches of 6–12 at a time.
Most agents do not accept repeat queries (i.e. a query for the same manuscript multiple times). This also applies to most agencies. Consider a query to one agent a query to all the agents at the agency unless otherwise specified. If the agent you reach out to thinks the manuscript is a better fit for another agent, they will pass it on.
If an agent is currently closed to submissions and is someone you would like to work with, keep checking their website and submit once they reopen for submissions.
Places to look
Here are some websites where you can start your agent search. These are a starting point only. There is constant change in the world of literary agents, so always do your own research.
Trade Publications
The Bookseller (UK)
Publishers Marketplace (subscription required)
Quill & Quire (Canada)
Publishers Weekly (US)
Writer's Digest (fiction & non-fiction)
Agent Lists
If you subscribe, they will send you weekly updates on changes to the list, including new agents, genre changes, those who are now open to queries and agents who are no longer working or accepting submissions
Writers & Authors (UK, subscription required)
The Writer's Market (currently only in print)
Searching on social media for # MSWL, # amquerying or # queryme can also be a useful way to find agents who are looking for manuscripts.
General Tips for Querying
Decide if you are looking for an agent or a publisher. Smaller publishers will often take unsolicited manuscripts, but the larger ones require an agent. Agents and publishers can be queried at the same time. However, querying publishers while querying agents can make it difficult to find an agent, as once a publisher has passed on a manuscript, it cannot be resubmitted. On the flip side, an offer to publish can make it easier to get an agent.
If you are unsure which route to take or would like to query agents and publishers, I recommend spending six months to a year only querying agents. Then, if you haven’t found one, start querying publishers. A rejection from agents doesn't affect your ability to be accepted by a publisher the same way rejection from a publisher affects your ability to be accepted by an agent. Not sure exactly what an agent can do for you? Here’s a great overview from 5 Otter Literary.
Before submitting anything, make sure you know what genre your work is and who your target audience is. Not correctly identifying the genre of your manuscript is one of the main reasons a manuscript is rejected. Once you’ve identified your genre, make sure your word count is appropriate. This seems like a small thing, but it is one more way to show an agent that you have done your research and understand the genre you are pitching. There are books that don’t fit the generally accepted word count for their genre; however, these are the exception, not the rule, and in most cases, first time authors should stick to word count guidelines.
Have a synopsis and comp titles ready. A professional editor can help with this.
Do your research. Every query should be tailored to the agent, not copied and pasted.
Always follow the instructions on the agent’s website. Give them exactly what they are looking for. No more, no less.
Make sure to read the submission requirements and FAQs if available.
Do not submit to agents stating they are not open for submissions.
Do not submit to agents that are not interested in your genre.
Pay attention to what the agent is currently looking for. They might have taken manuscripts like yours before and might again in the future, but if that’s not what they are looking for now, don’t submit.
Do not ask the agent how to submit unless their submissions page invites questions. All the information should be on their website. A professional editor can help clarify anything that is unclear.
Track your submissions including the date of the query, files submitted and any follow-up you received or have made. This will make the process seem less overwhelming. You can use this tracking sheet as a starting point.
After You Submit
Be patient. Most agents take 3–6 months to respond to submissions, but it can take longer. If you haven’t heard back after six months, assume they have passed. Most agents will only respond if they are interested in your manuscript. If the website says they will respond to confirm the receipt of your query, it is appropriate to follow up after about a week if you haven’t gotten confirmation. Wait about a month if the query was sent as a hard copy before following up.
There are no guarantees of publication. This includes once you’ve found an agent. They will do everything they can to sell your manuscript, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen.
Guidelines for Following Up
While in general, you should assume that no news from an agent after 3–6 months is a rejection, there are some situations where it is appropriate to follow up.
Query sent
If you haven’t heard anything after three to four months, it is appropriate to follow up if one of the following conditions is met:
The agent’s website says they respond to all queries.
The agent’s website makes no statement about which queries they respond to.
DO NOT send a follow-up to agents who specify they only respond if interested. This is usually included specifically to avoid follow-ups.
If you receive an offer of representation from another agent, it is appropriate to send a follow-up to your dream agent(s) who haven’t responded yet. Let them know you have received an offer. This puts a clock on your query and makes them more likely to respond to you quickly if they are still interested.
This should be a brief follow up letting the agent(s) know the situation with your manuscript has changed. If you haven’t heard back within a week or so (unless you’ve been given a longer deadline to respond to your offer), then you’ll need to decide to accept the offer you have or to reject it and hope for another to come along. If it has been more than six months since you submitted, then it is likely the agent has passed and I recommend against following up. The exception is if the agent’s website gives a longer time frame for a response.
Note: This only applies if you have received an offer of representation, not if another agent has requested to see your manuscript. In most cases, knowing another agent wants to see the manuscript will not change an agent’s mind if they have already passed and it is unlikely to make them feel an urgency to read your query.
Manuscript requested
Most agents will give a timeline for responding to a requested manuscript. If they don’t provide a timeline, you can ask for one. If you haven’t heard back within the given timeline, wait an extra week to give the busy agents a buffer and then follow up.
Manuscript accepted
If you receive an offer from an agent, there’s nothing wrong with taking until the deadline they give to make your decision. If they don’t give a deadline, ask for one. In the absence of a deadline, a week is reasonable to take the time to think it over.
Always reach out to update any agents who have requested your manuscript once you receive an offer, even if you plan on taking it. This is a professional courtesy and will help build a good reputation. You never know who you might end up working with in the future.
If you would prefer to work with an agent other than the one you have received an offer from, letting them know there is an offer on the table can encourage your preferred agent to take a look at your manuscript and make a decision.
Manuscript rejected
If you submit your manuscript and it is rejected, send a short email thanking the agent for taking the time to read your work. Following up with more than a thank you will only increase your chances of future rejections from that agent.
More than a short thank-you email can be appropriate if the following are true:
You received specific feedback about your manuscript, and you have questions.
You made revisions at the request of the agent and they rejected your manuscript. Then follow up and see if they have any additional notes.
If you have an existing professional relationship with the agent (i.e. they have represented other work(s) of yours.
Note: Only send one email with clarifying questions. Many agents won’t answer due to time constraints, and they are under no obligation to respond. They have already gone beyond what is expected by providing specific feedback.
In all other cases, accept the rejection, apply any feedback you’ve received and move on to querying other agents.
Hierarchy of rejection
Rejection always stings, but there is a hierarchy to manuscript rejection that can help you gauge how strong your manuscript is and how close you are to getting an agent.
3. No response
2. Form rejection
1. Personalized feedback
It is also a good sign if an agent asks to see your manuscript. This means your query letter is doing its job.
If an agent passes on your manuscript but asks you to either resubmit after some changes or to submit future work, always do so. Follow all their suggestions before resubmitting. Same for any asks they make about future manuscripts.
Sending a New Manuscript
It is okay to query an agent with a new manuscript if they have rejected previous ones, especially if the rejection invited you to send them new work.
Note: Only send one manuscript at a time. There should be at least six months between queries, but a year or more is better.
Additional tips for follow-ups
Always follow up by email. Never by phone.
Keep the emails short, sweet and professional. If the purpose is simply a follow-up, don’t invent an excuse for reaching out; politely own the follow-up.
Keep in mind that many agents go through their inboxes from oldest to newest, so if you are following up on your query, replying to your original query could extend your wait time, as it will make your original query appear more recent.
Above all be patient and accept that the process of finding an agent is likely to be a long and difficult process. There are no shortcuts and no guarantees. Working with an editor and joining writing/editing communities can make the process less demoralizing. Lean on other authors for support. Learn from their mistakes and find joy in their successes.
Additional Resources
They have a list of agents, but it’s unclear when it was produced
extensive list of Canadian publishers, along with other resources.
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