1. Make sure your submissions are personalized to each agent and agency. A generic cover letter that you’ve written for 50 agents may have the opposite of the desired effect on the agent who reads it. Once you’ve identified a wish list of agents, take time to craft specific (but not overly long) cover letters to each one. Each letter should be tailored specifically to that agent’s taste and publishing record.
2. You don’t need permission from an agent or publisher to self-publish your work, but if you choose this route, make sure your manuscript is polished before publication. Self-published books are generally not considered by major publishers unless they have sold at least 10,000 copies, so you want to put forth a professional image from the start.
3. Be patient but persistent! After you submit your book proposal, many agents and publishers will not respond immediately. It can take weeks (sometimes even months) before they get back to you with their response, but they will let you know if they are interested in representing/publishing your work.
4. If possible, attend a writer’s conference or workshop where you can connect with agents and publishers in person and pitch them directly.
5. Get involved with the literary community in your area by
1. Make sure your submissions are personalized to each agent and agency. A generic cover letter that you’ve written for 50 agents may have the opposite of the desired effect on the agent who reads it. Once you’ve identified a wish list of agents, take time to craft specific (but not overly long) cover letters to each one. Each letter should be tailored specifically to that agent’s taste and publishing record.
2. Don’t be too quick to attach a dollar value to your work, especially if you’re unpublished.
3. Don’t send in your entire manuscript unless it’s requested. It’s usually enough to send in a few sample chapters and a synopsis (or overview) of the book, along with your query letter and cover letter.
4. Be patient! Finding an agent can take months or even years, so don’t expect immediate results (though it can happen). If you don’t hear back within a month or two, or if an agent says they aren’t interested in representing you, move on to another one (you can always come back later). The important thing is to keep writing and keep trying!
2.Be sure to proofread your letter and your submission. Also, check out the agency’s website to see if they have any specific instructions as to how they’d like submissions handled, and follow them exactly. If you don’t follow their guidelines, you may not get a fair reading at all.
3. In the first paragraph of your letter, state what you’re submitting (a novel, short story collection, memoir, etc.) and the word count or number of pages. If the story or book has been published before, mention this in the first paragraph as well.
4. In the second paragraph introduce yourself and explain why you think this agent would be interested in representing you and your work. Explain what it is about their client list and/or their agency that made you decide to submit to them specifically. Be sure to include any relevant publishing credits, writing awards, MFA degrees or other training (if applicable.)
5. The next paragraph should summarize your plot in one or two sentences without giving away any spoilers. It should give enough information that an agent can determine if they want to read more without giving away everything that happens in the book. This is where many writers make the mistake of just copying a synopsis from their query letter or book proposal into
2. Proofread and edit your submission before sending it out. The single biggest reason agents reject submissions is because they’re poorly written. Don’t send in a sloppily written letter or manuscript, because you’ll give agents the impression that you don’t take your writing seriously and that you’re not dedicated to making it the best it can be.
3. Don’t let rejection slow you down. If you’re rejected, take a day to feel bad about it and then put it aside and start working on another agent or publisher. Some agents will tell you why they rejected your work, and if so, you should definitely listen to what they have to say, but there’s no need to dwell on the rejection itself.
4. Don’t be afraid to follow up with an agent if you haven’t heard back from them within their stated response time. You should always wait at least as long as their stated response time (usually two-four weeks) before following up with an agent, but don’t be afraid to do so if you’ve had no response at all after this period has elapsed (ideally via email).
5. Make sure that you sign up for email alerts from Publishers Marketplace (if you’re interested in traditional publishing) or Writer’s Market (
The agent may already know you from your work, or from mutual friends or colleagues, but if not, this is your chance to sell yourself. You want to let agents know, in a clear and concise way, who you are and what kind of book you’ve written. It’s also important to demonstrate that you’re qualified to write it. There’s no need to include your entire resume; a brief synopsis of your life and career should be enough.
If possible, mention an upcoming conference where you’ll be speaking, or another professional accomplishment that makes you a good candidate for representation. This will help agents distinguish between the hundreds of people sending queries each day and create the impression that you’re successful and established in your field.
3. Make sure their submission guidelines are followed exactly. Most agents have very specific guidelines regarding submissions and each one has his or her own preferences on how they like to receive query letters. Be sure to follow every step on their submission list exactly as requested. You should never send anything unsolicited (such as a full manuscript) unless the agent specifically states that he or she wants to see it. Also, don’t try to contact agents outside of the submission process; this is frowned upon by many agencies.
4. Be patient with response time
Getting an agent is not for the faint of heart. It can be a long and frustrating process, but it’s worth the effort. The end result is that you’ll have an advocate to guide your career, help you make good choices, and negotiate on your behalf.
Sure, there are many writers who’ve had success without agents. But I believe they could have had even more success with the right agent by their side.
What makes the right agent? Someone with whom you share a common vision for your work, who has selling power with editors, and who is someone with whom you want to work closely for years to come. Finding this person takes time, patience and research.
In my experience as an author and an agent (and as someone who sees lots of manuscripts from both sides), I know that hooking an agent can be a challenge–but it’s doable if you approach each query carefully. Here are some tips:
Don’t mention your previous rejections or agent issues. Agents know that the publishing industry is competitive, so there’s no need to remind them of this fact. An author who says she has been rejected by other agents or is in need of a new agent due to extenuating circumstances (i.e., her previous agent recently retired) may not look like a promising prospect.
Be sure to explain why you chose that particular agent. Most agents want to feel special and appreciated, so be sure to let them know if you’ve heard positive things about their work, read their blog or are a fan of another book they’ve represented—and explain why you think they would be a good fit for your book. In other words, don’t just say “I like your agency.” Tell them specifically what it is about the agency that draws you to them as an agent and why you would make a good match for each other.
