FAQ: How to Find a Literary Agent

1. Use these resources to find a literary agent who can be an advocate for you and your work:

2. Make a spreadsheet to keep track of agents who represent the type of book that you write.

3. After you fill up your spreadsheet, make a shortlist of the top 5 or 10 names.

4. Check your notes to see how each agent on your list wants to be contacted. Some agents only accept submissions sent:

  • after a Twitter pitch event request (i.e. #IWSGPit, #SFFpit, #DVPit, or #PBPitch).
  • through their website.
  • with their Query Manager form.
  • as an email with a manuscript attachment.
  • with the letter and manuscript pages copied into the body of an email.

5. Follow the agent’s instructions to send in:

  • a short query letter.
  • a short query and the first 5 or 10 pages.
  • a cover letter, a synopsis and the first three chapters.
  • a cover letter and the entire manuscript.

After you research the difference between a query letter, a cover letter, and a synopsis, follow the #MSWL advice that agents and editors give using the #QueryTip & #PubTip hashtags on Twitter.

6. One size does not fit all.

  • Some agents have an “autoreply” to let you know that your submission came.
  • Others will only write back after they have made a decision.
  • Some agencies only reply if they want to work with you. After their time limit (4, 6, 8, or 12 weeks) passes, no reply means no.

7. After you hear back (or don’t hear anything at all) from the first set of names on your list, go to the next 5 or 10 names and try again. In the meantime, start writing your next book!

FYI: When the time comes, review The Authors Guild “Model Book Contract” pages so you know what to expect.

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