How to Find the Best Agent for Your Book (and Survive the Process)
Photo by Alesia Kaz on Unsplash
If one of your New Year’s goals was to send your book out to agents, I’ve got you covered this month! It occurred to me that it’s been a while since I discussed the submission process in depth, so this month I’m going to review:
Agent research and how to organize your submission process
Writing pitches and loglines
Writing your query
Writing your synopsis
This week, we’ll tackle the agent search process. I’ve been seeing a lot of questions around this lately, so I’m going to break it all down in a way I hope is helpful.
Step 1: Finish your book. At least, if it’s a novel, or a memoir, you need to finish it before you start pitching. If it’s a nonfiction book other than memoir, you will need a book proposal, which is a very different beast from the query. I’m not an expert, so I’m not covering that here. Make sure your book is as close to 100% perfect before you send it out. You will not get a second chance with any particular agent. It should be revised (several times), copyedited, proofread... you do not want to send anything that looks (or reads) like it’s a rough draft.
Step 2: Make sure the manuscript is formatted correctly. Times New Roman, 12-pt font, double-spaced, black ink, 1” margins – and make sure the pages are numbered. Again, you want your work to scream “professional!” not “amateur who has no idea how any of this works.”
Step 3: Create a spreadsheet. You can personalize it however you like, but I include:
Name of agent
Agency (with some agencies, sending to more than one person is okay; with others, a No from one is a No from all, so plan accordingly)
Agency website, or agent contact page – many agents use Query Manager now.
Guidelines – what the agent wants to see. Always send exactly this, no more, no less. It might be something like “query letter and first 5 pages” (or 10 pages, or 10 pages + chapter summary or full synopsis. Or... you get the idea.
Shareable – this is where you can personalize the query a bit, to show you did your research and aren’t just mass-sending to every agent in existence. Basically, why you are sending to them. Did you meet them at a conference or other event? Were you referred by another agent or writer? Do they represent a particular author you love? According to their wishlist does your book seem like a perfect fit? Put a brief note about the connection.
Date Sent – the date you send your query
Expected Response – if they give an expected response time, it’s good to note it, so you’re not waiting in vain. Often these days agents will say “if you don’t hear back in 3 months, it’s a no>” Some will explicitly say not to nudge them; others will say “please nudge if you don’t hear.” Again, pay attention – and make a note.
Response – none, no, reason if given
Notes – any notes the agent gave you, or other info. This might include when an agent is open or closed to queries. Agents periodically get overwhelmed by the number of queries they receive and need to close to any new ones until they get caught up. Making a note will remind you to follow up with ones you want to connect with.
Step 4: Do your research. There are many places to research reputable agents these days. Some of the searchable databases I use are:
Manuscript Wishlist - lots of personalized info from the agents
AgentQuery.com (they also have tons of resources on writing queries, avoiding scammers, publishers, conferences, residencies, tracking agents’ deals, etc.
Publisher’s Weekly (this can be pricey but is a good way to see deals and other news; some free content, plus you can see if your local library system has free access)
QueryTracker.net - another good general database
Association of American Literary Agents – any agent you query should be a member
Poets & Writers Literary Agents Database - best for YA through adult
Things to consider: do they represent your genre? What authors do they represent? Have they had recent sales to publishers? Are they a member of AALA (see above)? Are they looking for something similar to your book?
If you find a promising agent, read up on them. Search online to find interviews, or find them on X/Twitter or other social media platforms. This will help you personalize your query. And it will help you learn more about the publishing world as a whole. Agents often drop golden nuggets of advice on social media.
Compile a list of agents you’d like to query. You might start with 20. Plug their info into your spreadsheet. Then choose your first batch of 5-6 to send to.
Step 5: Prepare mentally. Do not take this lightly. Getting an agent may well be a marathon, not a sprint. It’s possible your first dream agents will be fighting for your manuscript – but not likely. You have to be prepared for:
100 queries – yes, it’s best to mentally prepare yourself for that number. It may not take that many. It may take 1, or 10, or 50. Or 200. That means you have to prepare yourself not just to write and send that many, but to receive 99 rejections. All it takes is one yes, but it can be very difficult to be Zen about rejection after rejection.
Many rejections will be literal *crickets* - I.e., no answer at all. Most others will be form rejections, as in, “Thanks for sending your work, it’s just not right for my list. Good luck.” If you get any personalization at all (something specific to your story, or actionable feedback), that’s viewed as a win.
You may get requests for partials (maybe 50 pages) or fulls (your whole manuscript). And then you may still get rejected.
You may hear back from agents in 5 minutes, 3 months, or never. That’s why I suggest sending to multiple agents at a time. It used to be considered bad form to send to multiple agents at once, but now it’s pretty much expected. Rare is the agent who demands an exclusive look for a certain period. You can decide if it’s worth it to you to include them in your list.
If you do get personalized feedback, you should NOT immediately run to change everything in your story. Instead, step back, take a breath, and consider it. Does the agent seem to “get” your story? Are they asking for sweeping changes that mean a completely different story than what you wrote? Or are they saying things like, your character arc needs to be stronger, or the climax is missing, or your main character’s voice is flat, or the ending doesn’t solve the problem or answer the question posed at the beginning? Those are all fixable issues.
Try not to have a desperate, “pick me!” mentality. You are choosing an agent just as much as they are choosing you. You don’t need just anyone to represent your book. You don’t need to kowtow to requests for wholesale changes. The relationship should be a respectful, businesslike one. The agent should be genuinely excited about your book, and even have some ideas about which editors to approach.
Bonus step: Have a plan for what to do while you wait to hear back from agents. That means:
Having plans for self-care, including rewards and pick-me-ups. Plan a treat for when a rejection comes in. Have a friend or two you can call and commiserate with who will encourage you when you want to give up.
Have the next set of queries ready to go as rejections come in.
Start working on your next book! Or, take a break and have fun with writing. Noodle around and write stuff you don’t plan to share. Write something completely out of your usual genre. Or even – take a break from writing and do something different, like photography, painting, dancing...
Final things to remember:
Remember that agents are real people! They may get hundreds of queries a month, and looking at queries is only a small part of what they do. Most of their time is spent working on deals for their current clients.
Agents are paid on commission, so they don’t get paid unless they sell your book. They may love it, but if they can’t see a way to sell it, they will pass.
However much it stings, don’t take rejection personally – it really is just business. Every agent that passes on your work frees to you find the one who will love it and champion it.
Next time, we’ll look at developing your pitch or logline - a crucial step for selling your book.
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