This is my super guide to querying literary agents. I signed with an amazing one, and I know you can, too.
First and foremost, congratulations. Whether you are in the midst of your first novel or adding finishing touches to the final chapter, you’ve done something very few writers actually muster the courage to do. You’ve written. I implore you to take a moment and be proud of yourself. This may feel like the beginning of your journey, but it’s not. You’ve spent countless hours crafting a masterpiece that will someday be somebody’s favorite book. This is no small feat, so don’t treat it like one.
As writers, we are often urged to focus more on product than process. Some people will only acknowledge your hard work once it is sitting on a bookshelf. So, I’m here to tell you that, for what it’s worth, I acknowledge the hard work you’ve done. I know what it’s like to sit at a computer for hours upon hours, telling a story you’re not even sure others will want to read. You’ve been fearless with your endeavors and free in your imagination. Before you send that book out for anyone to see, give yourself a well-deserved hug.
You did it. You’re ready to query.
There are hundreds of potential literary agents out there, and one of them is sure to be a perfect match for you and your story. Now, it’s just a matter of finding them, and letting them find you. Take a deep breath, pinch yourself if you have to, grab some water, and let’s dive in! There’s a complete template is at the very end of this article, by the way. I hope it helps you present your story to the literary world with as much love and care as it deserves! No mere letter will ever do your work justice, though. Always remember that.
1 | Your Mindset
Your mindset is very important when it comes to querying agents. It is a process that requires a lot of rejection, so please be sure you’re in the proper headspace to handle said rejection. Remember, rejection is not a bad thing. You’re looking for the perfect agent, not every agent on Planet Earth. Each one that declines your work is one step closer to the agent who is meant for you. They’re out there, you just have to let them find you.
It may also help to reconnect with why you write.
Do you write for fun? Escapism? Exploration? Is it something that heals you, or makes you feel more connected to the world around you? All of these things are accessible to you with or without a literary agent. As strange as it may sound, you know in your heart that being represented isn’t the key to your happiness. You already have the key. It’s writing. So, why did you write the book that you plan to query? Take some time to reflect on how much you love it, and how incredible the process has been so far.
For reference, I wrote two books before writing the one that got me representation. The first two were written with intent to “break into the literary industry”. I wrote what I thought other people would enjoy instead of following my joy. What happened? I got burnt out, shelved both books, and fell into a period of writer’s block. I lost sight of what made me love writing in the first place.
The third book was a work of pure passion that I planned to keep private. I wrote it for my own enjoyment. If I wasn’t racing to my computer to continue each morning, I knew something was off. It was fun. It was escapism. It was an act of self love. I created a world that I wanted to disappear into, a book I’d read over and over again. I loved it so much that I knew I wouldn’t care what other people thought about it. So, when I approached querying, I felt sort of bulletproof. “Felt” is the key word, but we’ll come back to that.
There’s a lot of negativity surrounding the querying process, but in actuality, this should be a fun and exciting time about sharing your work and your world! It shouldn’t be a terrifying pit of darkness and despair. In fact, I don’t think it should be called the “Query Trenches” at all. This is a time to celebrate! Hold onto that happiness, and never let it go!
Try to become as bulletproof as possible. Build your confidence, foster self love, and fill your heart with positivity before stepping into the querying space. Remind yourself daily that you are a beautiful, wonderful author with so many stories the world simply needs to read. Once you love yourself and your story unconditionally, no amount of rejection letters will shake you.
If you do happen to receive a rejection that stings, that’s perfectly okay. I reached a point where the growing number of no’s started chipping away at the armor I thought was so strong. I curled up in bed and cried. I wondered what I had been doing wrong. I let myself feel these emotions, and then… I let them pass.
We are humans, so we feel things. Those feelings don’t have to have control us. At the end of the day, all you need to do is get back on your feet, treat yourself lovingly, and remember that everything is going to be okay. It will all work out.
Write for you.
Query agents you’d love to work with. Comfort yourself kindly when doubt and fear roll in, and let those feelings pass like storm clouds. It’s all part of the process, to thicken the plot, if I may. The sun will shine again. As long as you understand how powerful and worthy you truly are, reality will bend in every way to bring you what you desire.
2 | Your Agent Wishlist
Literary agents compile everything they are looking for on websites like Manuscript Wish List and social media platforms like Twitter. Why don’t you do the same? Make a list of everything you are looking for in a literary agent.
What does a perfect agent/author partnership look like for you? What kind of communication style would you like them to have? Would you like to share the same favorite movies, books, and television shows? Would you like them to have an extensive legal background, or a more literary one? Do you want an editorial agent with a hands-on approach? Have fun with it!
Now that you know what you’re looking for, you can start doing research! Twitter is an amazing place to connect with agents who represent your genre. Create a chart or a list of every agent you’d like to send your materials to. It’s nice to have a good combination of big agencies and small agencies, senior agents and junior agents. The sky is the limit, and you never know which one is going to be your perfect match.
I’d recommend separating your agents into batches. Depending on how many you compile, you can determine how many to place in each batch. I’d also recommend a table chart with these categories:
Agent
Agency
Query Status (Sent or Unsent)
Date Queried
Date Requested or Rejected
Representation Status (Offer Received, Rejected, or Accepted)
This will help you keep everything organized! It will also help you keep track of every agent and agency you’ve contacted, which will come in handy when that first offer comes in!
3 | The Letter
Aside from your super amazing book, your Query Letter is your agent’s first look into you and your work. It’s important to remember that your agent is, above all else, a human who loves reading! Agents aren’t scary, they’re just people looking for amazing things to read! Remember this as you craft your letter!
I think the best structure to follow is “The Bookstore Structure”. It simulates a bookstore experience and follows an effortless flow meant to draw in prospective readers as much as possible.
Opening
Begin with a simple greeting! A “Hi, Miss/Mr. Awesome Agent” should do just fine, but if you don’t know their preferred pronouns, I’d say it’s polite to exclude courtesy titles. Next, you have a few options! You can start things off with an opening log line or a one-sentence pitch. This will paint an overarching picture of your story the way a cover might. Since you don’t have a cover, this is your chance to present your story’s vibe and create some instant interest. Try to capture an image with your words.
Most writers agree that a good log line should contain: The Protagonist + The Inciting Incident + The Protagonist’s Goal + The Conflict
Try not to overthink this too hard. Agents are just people, like you! What would get you interested in a story? What would make you immediately want to know more about a character, their world, and the obstacles they’re about to face. Have fun, be playful, and stay authentic to yourself and your unique voice!
Immediately after this, should you choose to include it, you’ll offer agents some basic information about your book. Connecting back to “The Bookstore Structure”, this is the moment they’ve picked up your book and taken a look at the cover. Now, they need to know the title, the age category, what genre it belongs to, and how long it is.
[Awesome Title] is an [Age Category+Genre] complete at approximately [Word Count].
Time to start shining even brighter! Now that the technicalities are out of the way, you can start expressing all the reasons you love your book, and all the reasons you think they’ll love it, too. Is it told in multiple POVs? What are some fun aspects of the story? Are there any popular tropes you put your own unique spin on? In one sentence, loop these all together and tie them with a bow!
Want to add some sparkles to this query package? Go the extra mile and visit the individual agent’s Manuscript Wish List, Instagram, or Twitter. Do some playful stalking and figure out what they like. Most agents will provide their favorite themes, tropes, messages, and character dynamics, so use that to your advantage!
It is written in [# of POVs] and filled with [awesome thing 1], [awesome thing 2], and [awesome thing 3]. I hope you’ll like Awesome Title, as you mention enjoying stories about [one of their favorite tropes], [one of their favorite themes], and [one of their favorite character dynamics] on your Manuscript Wish List!
If you didn’t include your one-sentence pitch at the very beginning, here’s a good place to throw it in, too!
Middle
Here’s the really fun part. Now, you get to spend 2–3 paragraphs absolutely gushing about your story and everything that makes it great. Most people equate this section to a book blurb, or what you’d typically find on the back of a book. Do your best to be concise and snappy. Grab their attention without giving too much away. There are lots of templates and guides online, but I truly think this section will vary based on your plot.
One of the most important things here is to be authentic. Let your voice shine. One of the mistakes I made with my earliest query letters was attempting to be as generic and formulaic as possible. I was afraid to be adventurous. You can and should follow the agency’s querying directions, but do so in style. Give them a glimpse into the world you’ve created, the characters close to your heart, and the conflict at the center of it all.
Like the one sentence pitch, start things off with your main character and an introduction of the conflict they’ll be facing. Let the book blurb unfold like a blossoming flower, each detail leading to the next in perfect, enticing harmony. Drop petals of information that will make your full manuscript irresistible. Make your main character someone to care about, offer some world building to set the scene, then give the agent some questions they’ll need answered.
As I said, it’s difficult to define exactly how to craft the perfect book blurb, since it varies so greatly genre-to-genre. A cozy, beachside romance’s blurb will be nothing like a heart-pounding thriller’s blurb. Still, it all comes down to what humans want most from their entertainment…
Something to worry about.
Sounds weird, right? However, the deeper you look into this, the truer it becomes. The best kind of escapism comes in the form of a novel, movie, or television series that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. Why? You care so deeply about the main character or characters that you simply must know what lies ahead in their story. The world immerses you, the conflict ensnares you, and the way you feel about the human or humans in the middle of it all keeps you reading or watching. Even if they become self-insert characters, which can happen when a reader doesn’t fully connect with a main, they might keep going because they just love worrying about what’s going to happen next.
If you can give the agent a reason they’ll love worrying about what’s going to happen in your story, even if it’s the fluffiest romance around, they’ll be sure to request your full manuscript.
I like to finish off my blurb section with a button. One final sentence to serve as their last glimpse into the book. Wrap up everything you’ve said prior into something brief, snappy, and sellable again. Leave it off with an air of mystery. Then, when you read the whole thing back to yourself, return to “The Bookstore Structure” mindset. If you read that on the back of a book, knowing it’s in your genre of interest, would you buy it on the spot?
Comp Titles
Here’s an opportunity to share some comparable titles. It isn’t a necessity, but it can be helpful! You can include works that inspired your own, or books it might sit beside in a bookstore. Readers who love one particular title might be in the target demographic!
In my opinion, the coolest comp titles really stand out. I mean, if someone pitched a book as Twilight meets Pacific Rim, I’d need to know what’s going on there.
However, this is also a place to proceed with caution. You never know if an agent has a vendetta against a particular title, and seeing it could immediately dampen their interest. This is why I chose to exclude comp titles in my own query letter. If you have two or three great ones, though, follow your gut!
End and Author Biography
To finish things off, you can provide a brief introduction to yourself, your history, and your writing as a whole. This is something to keep very brief. If the agent has made it this far, they probably already like your work. So, you’ll have plenty of time to let them get to know you should they offer representation.
Here’s the place to talk about your educational history, any programs or workshops you’ve taken to improve your writing, and/or any awards you’ve won. Let them know why you’d be a good business partner and a great author to add to their roster. If you don’t have anything to showcase, that’s totally fine! They’re here for you and your story at the end of the day. It’s also customary to provide where you’re located, likely for time zone purposes.
While it’s essential to be as concise as possible in this part of the letter, I don’t think it hurts to give agents a little taste of your personality and why you love writing. Do you have any weird hobbies that might inform your storytelling? Is there a specific reason you write or mission you have as an author? If you can condense it into one, quick sentence, it’s almost like a little handshake through the screen.
Lastly, I think it’s really kind to extend some gratitude to the agent. Remember, they’re human, just like you. We all love feeling seen, heard, and recognized in the world. Are there any causes this agent is devoted to? Perhaps they love representing underrepresented authors, creating a space in the literary world for marginalized groups, or generally creating a kinder world with their work. Perhaps they simply love being a literary agent because they help authors from all around the world get their stories told.
Let them know how grateful you are. Thank them for what they do. The world needs more kindness, and you could be one of the people spreading it.
The Sign Off
At the very end of your query letter, you can let the agent know that you’ve included whatever materials they’ve requested. If they specify a ten page sample and a synopsis, let them know that’s exactly what you’ve provided. Most agents will want everything pasted into the body of the email for organization purposes, but some will request PDFs or WordDocs. Always make sure to follow their guidelines perfectly. It shows that you respect them and their method of handling queries.
"Per your submission guidelines, please find the first [# of pages] of my manuscript below. Thank you for your time and consideration! Have a wonderful day!
Sincerely/Cheers/Etc., Your Name, Your Email, Your Phone Number, Your Website."
And you’re all done! Give everything a once over for grammatical errors and such, then send your beautiful letter on its way!
4 | Next Steps
Now that your first, second, third, or fourth batch of queries has been sent off, you’re probably wondering what to do with your free time. Most people would agree that it’s best to keep your mind off of this, but with so much excitement going on, I know that’s probably next to impossible. You can check Query Tracker to get an idea of where each agent is in their inbox. Some will also post updates and statistics on Twitter. It may not make the process go any faster, but it will keep you informed.
Here’s another amazing time to check in with your mindset.
It is inevitable for rejections to come in, but that’s okay! In fact, get excited about it. If the first batch of agents rejects you, it gives you a chance to revisit your query letter and see if anything needs to be tweaked. For this reason, I’d actually hold off on sending materials out to your top tier favorites. Get some feedback first. A few tiny adjustments to your introduction or blurb could make a world of difference. However, if you’re sure everything is perfect… get even more excited.
Every rejection brings you closer to the agent you dreamed up in your Agent Wish List. Think about it this way: Would you want to sign with someone who isn’t completely in love with your story? Would you want to sign with someone who was quick to reject your work? Absolutely not! You want and deserve an agent who loves your story as much as you do! They’ll come!
You can also use this time to get active on social media platforms where writers like to hang out. Make some friends! Join some pitch events! Writing may be an art commonly done alone, but support from others who understand it is invaluable. You’ll find so many kindhearted, like minded individuals out there, and you might even stumble upon another agent on the hunt for books just like yours.
Let’s not forget the most important thing you can do now… write!
If you love writing, this should be one of the most amazing parts of the journey! You’ve got a book in the querying process, spreading its wings and preparing to fly! Pick another story to love and nurture to completion as you wait. Reconnect with why you write again. Have genuine, unrestrained fun! It isn’t about the money or the sales, after all. It may seem like that sometimes, but your inner child writes for reasons way more meaningful. Find that reason. Believe in it. Set yourself and your imagination free.
5 | Closing Thoughts
Querying might feel like the scariest part of the writing process. In a lot of ways, it is. This is probably the first time you’re letting anyone see your work, let alone a literary agent. That’s why it’s super important to keep in mind:
Literary agents are just people. They aren’t scary, intimidating forces lurking on the other side of your screen. They are readers, book lovers, and genuinely kind humans who have dedicated their lives to helping authors like you get their voices heard. Don’t be afraid. Open the door to form a connection with them, and you might just find a lifelong business partner and friend.
Rejection does not mean your book was not good enough. When I first started querying, I visited book stores a lot more often. Why? Well, I wanted to see how long it took me to “reject” a book I picked up off the shelf. Often, of the hundreds of books offered to me, I’d only grab five or ten to check out. Of those five or ten, the book blurb and opening paragraph had very little time to grab my attention. Then, I’d usually end up choosing one or two books to actually bring home. In truth, every book on the shelves is amazing, and every book deserves to be read. I just have my own individual taste. You do, too. Do some book shopping, and pay close attention to your own process. Step into the agent’s shoes. Trust me, it will help.
Numbers are important. Even junior agents can receive hundreds of queries a month. It doesn’t mean yours is any less likely to grab their attention, it just means they are busy and often overwhelmed. They really can only select the books they are willing to commit a substantial amount of time and energy to, and to do that, they have to really fall in love.
Try to think like a literary agent and empathize with them. Again, they’re just people, and they don’t want to hurt your feelings. It’s probably almost as difficult for them to send out rejections as it is for authors to receive them. Don’t forget, a lot of agents are also authors, meaning they’ve faced their share of rejection, too. Lead with kindness toward yourself and toward others.
You absolutely, 100% deserve to have your story told. No matter what happens, never lose sight of that. Your story is beautiful, and it is worth it. You are worth it. Don’t give up.
The absolute worst case scenario is that you don’t get any interest in this particular book. This can happen for so many reasons. The market might just be in a period where your genre isn’t in high demand. That’s okay! It moves in cycles, and there will be a need for it again soon enough.
If your writing needs a bit more polishing, that’s fine, too! You love writing, right? Seek out some workshops or classes! Collaborate with other writers! Try some free writing exercises to strengthen your skills! We are always learning and growing, and there is absolutely no shame in needing to fine tune your skills. It’s a journey and a process. Humans are ever evolving, and even the most famous writers are still learning new techniques and making new breakthroughs every day.
While your query is out there, or if you decide to shelf your book for a little while, I have some more good news. You get to write something else! I’m not being sarcastic in the slightest. This is the career you want, isn’t it? The prospect of writing something new shouldn’t scare you. A sustainable writing career will be entirely dependent on you writing new things all the time. This is your passion. This is fun. It may be a job, and it may be hard work, but it’s also your escape from the world because you know how to craft new ones. Please, please, please, don’t forget to have fun. Don’t forget to play. In life, we get extremely serious. Don’t do that. Stop growing up, and let your inner child have the fun they want to.
Believe in yourself. The power of believing in yourself is so underestimated. Get up every day and tell yourself that you are an agented author long before that offer rolls in. Act like an agented author acts. Think like an agented author thinks. What does your life look like now that you’ve signed with an amazing agent? Dream it, affirm it, enjoy it in your imagination, then watch it unfold.
Bonus | Idea Generation Exercise
I think many authors can agree that spending months or years on one work can leave you feeling really attached to it. Don’t worry, you’re not abandoning it forever. Once agent interest rolls in, you’ll have to dive back into it for revisions. You’ll get the opportunity to get back to it, so it’s okay to branch out in a new direction for the time being.
Here’s how I like to start my quest for new ideas!
We all love movies, books, and television shows. We all love losing ourselves in another world, fictional or realistic. So, feed that inner spark. Watch some of your favorite movies, read some of your favorite books, and binge a few of your favorite shows. Keep an eye out for everything in them that inspires you. Is there a plot line you wish had gone differently? Is there a love interest you wish the main character would have chosen? Is there a twist you knew would have been absolutely genius? Would you love to see your own original character with a character similar to the story’s main?
You’re a creator! That’s why you can see all these endless possibilities, and they are possibilities you can absolutely explore in your own work! You can create your own unique world and your own unique cast of characters, then follow the creative thread the media you chose to take in inspired.
Don’t lose touch with what inspires you. Something made you want to be a writer. It could have been a life-changing book, a movie that made your eyes light up, or a TV show you binged in three days. For me, it was the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For you, it could be anything!
The Grand Finale | My Complete Template
Dear [Awesome Agent],
[Awesome Title] is an [Age Category+Genre] complete at approximately [Word Count]. It is written in [# of POVs/Type of POV] and filled with [awesome thing 1], [awesome thing 2], and [awesome thing 3]. I hope you’ll like [Awesome Title], as you mention enjoying stories about [one of their favorite tropes], [one of their favorite themes], and [one of their favorite character dynamics] on your Manuscript Wish List!
One Sentence Pitch: The Protagonist + The Inciting Incident + The Protagonist’s Goal + The Conflict
Paragraph 1 introduces the main character, a bit of their conflict, and any other relevant information. Get the story going, and pique your reader’s interest!
Paragraph 2 makes the story sound even more interesting! Is there a love interest? A crazy antagonist? A conspiracy brewing just beneath the surface of it all? Leave your reader with questions only reading your full manuscript can answer! Leave them wanting more!
Paragraph 3 should wrap things up, and your reader should be upset about it! They want more, after all! Button this up with something snappy and clever, something like a mic drop that will seal the deal!
Comp Title Opportunity! While comp titles aren’t required, if you think they’d fit well here, give it a go! Personally, I’d only include comp titles if they’re eye-catching enough to inspire even more interest in your story. If it feels like it’s one of a kind, let it be. Someone might use your story as a comp title someday!
Author Biography! Remember to keep things brief and relevant! It’s not that the agent doesn’t care about you and your story! They just have a lot of queries to get through! If you were moving through a bookstore, would you spend time researching every single author of every single book you pick up before buying it?
Just be authentic, concise, and kind! Finish things off with where you’re located, and you’re good to go!
A Moment of Kindness! Thank the agent for whatever you’d like to thank them for! Spread some kindness, the world needs more of it!
Official Sign Off! Thank the agent for their time and consideration, let them know what materials you’ve provided based on their submission guidelines, and sign off! Provide your email, phone number, and website so they know where to find you if they’re interested in working together!
P.S.
You did it, and I’m proud of you! Good luck querying, never stop believing, and no matter what, keep telling your amazing stories!
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