Submitting to literary agents: a guide to the querying process

The prospect of sending your manuscript out to agents can seem overwhelming. But it needn’t be that way. When you break it down, it’s actually a straightforward process. In this, the first in a series of articles about submitting to agents (also known as querying), I’m going to guide you through it step by step.

The first thing you should do is finish writing your book. Why? Because if an agent receives your submission and requests the full manuscript, you need to have it ready to send to them right away. Replying with “Okay, give me a few months to finish writing it and I’ll send it right over!” is just going to be… well, annoying, and there’s no guarantee the agent will still be interested by the time you’re done.

It’s worth spending some time polishing your draft before you start querying, too. Consider getting some feedback and making necessary adjustments. This could be in the form of informal feedback from beta readers, or, if budget allows, you could send it to a professional editor for a manuscript assessment or a developmental edit.

You want to make sure your manuscript lands in the inboxes of agents who are most likely to consider it for representation. That means you need to be targeted in your approach. It’s better to query fewer, more relevant agents, than to spam every agent in the country with a blanket email. Look for agents who represent your genre and who have worked with authors whose books are similar in content and style to yours. This is one of the most important aspects of querying. In the next article in this series, I’ll be going into more detail about how to figure out which agents are a good fit and where to find them.

While you were doing your research, you will have discovered what each agent requires in a submission. Specific requirements can vary slightly, but a submissions package will usually include the following:

Query letter: This is essentially a covering letter including a book pitch, and it’s far less worrying than people make it out to be. Query letters should be tailored to each specific agent you approach (another reason why the research stage is important!) and they tend to follow a set formula. I’ll be covering query letters in detail in a later article in this series, which will include a simple template.

Synopsis: A short description of what happens in your story, usually a page or two in length. It should outline the main story arc and mention the key plot points, including the ending (yes, spoilers are allowed here!). I’ll be going into more detail about how to craft a winning synopsis in a later article in this series.

Sample chapters: Usually, the first three chapters are required in a submission. Make sure your opening chapters are in the best shape they can be. Consider sending them to a professional editor for a line-edit if budget allows.

Before you start sending out your material to agents, it’s worth asking someone to read over it to check for any mistakes. You could ask a colleague or fellow writer, or consider hiring a professional editor to review the query materials. Many editors offer a submissions package review service.

You’ve done your research, prepared your submissions package and you’re ready to start sending it out to your hit list of agents.

It’s a good idea to send it out in small batches – say five. That way, if you hear back from a few and they include some feedback, you will have the opportunity do some editing before you approach a new batch.

Set up a query tracker – use a spreadsheet or whichever method works for you. Record the date, the name and contact details of the agent, the expected response time (many agents mention a rough timeframe on their website), and responses and feedback. Consider setting up reminders for when expected response times expire, so that you know when to chase.

You may get some responses with a polite “no thank you” or “not for us at this time”. Some agents might not respond at all. It’s not the greatest feeling when an agent decides to pass on your manuscript. Take some time to acknowledge that. There are many reasons why this can happen. The agent may already have a book very similar to yours on their list, or maybe your book just isn’t their cup of tea. It isn’t necessarily a reflection of shortcomings in your work. Some agents will include constructive feedback in their rejection response, and this can be really useful.

If an agent replies requesting your full manuscript, simply send them the manuscript according to their requirements with a short, polite response. Now is not the time for a gushing email about how thrilled you are that they want to read your book, or to start asking a bunch of questions. Keep things professional and straightforward.

An agent might reply asking to speak with you. This is a good sign, but it does not necessarily mean they are planning to offer representation in the call or meeting. They may simply have some questions to ask you. Again, keep things professional.

If an agent replies offering representation… now’s the time to freak out and start gushing! But do that in private or to your friends and family. Seriously. Always keep the tone professional when dealing with a prospective agent. And take some time to consider their offer. It can be tempting to jump on the first offer you receive, but it might not be the only and best one. Now is a good time to ask any questions you may have. Hiring an agent is an important step. You want to make sure that the agent you sign with is right for you, because they will have a huge impact on your writing career.

Querying can seem daunting at first, but by working through the steps laid out in this article in a methodical way, you can remove those feelings of overwhelm and give yourself the best possible chance of securing an agent who is right for you.

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