A literary agent serves as a professional intermediary between an author and a publishing house. Securing an agent is generally considered a necessary step for authors seeking a contract with a traditional trade publisher. Agents possess the industry knowledge and network required to successfully pitch a manuscript to acquisition editors. They are responsible for negotiating the financial terms and complex legal language of a publishing deal, ensuring the author’s work is presented effectively to the market.
Prepare Your Manuscript and Author Platform
Before initiating any contact with an agent, the manuscript must be completed, revised, and polished to a professional standard. Querying with a draft or a partially finished work is a common misstep that often leads to immediate rejection. The submission must represent the best version of the author’s work, demonstrating mastery of craft, story structure, and clean prose. This level of readiness typically requires multiple rounds of self-editing and feedback.
Beyond the manuscript, authors should develop an author platform—the established audience an author can tap into to promote their book. While a large platform is more important for non-fiction submissions, fiction authors benefit from having an established online presence or a professional author website. A platform signals that the author understands the business side of publishing and is prepared to actively participate in the book’s marketing efforts.
Understanding the Agent’s Role and Industry Norms
The agent acts as the author’s business partner, selling the rights to the author’s work to a suitable publishing house. They manage the submission process, field offers from editors, and negotiate the advance, royalty rates, and subsidiary rights, such as foreign language or film adaptations. The agent’s expertise in contract law and industry standards provides the author with protection and ensures appropriate compensation.
Agents operate on a commission-based structure, receiving payment only if they successfully sell the book. The standard financial arrangement involves the agent taking 15% of the author’s earnings for domestic sales. This commission often increases to 20% for any foreign or sub-rights sales that require co-agents. The relationship is formalized through an exclusive agency agreement, which outlines the scope of representation and the term of the contract.
Researching and Targeting the Right Agents
A highly targeted approach to agent research significantly increases the probability of a positive response. Authors must seek agents who have a demonstrable history of representing books in the manuscript’s specific genre, category, and tone. Resources like Publisher Marketplace provide data on an agent’s recent book deals and sales history, while Manuscript Wish List (MSWL) offers insight into their current submission preferences. QueryTracker helps authors monitor agent activity and submission response times.
Personalizing each submission is necessary, as generic mass submissions are easily discarded. Researching an agent’s recent acquisitions allows the author to tailor the pitch to their specific interests. This shows the agent that the author has done their homework and is serious about a partnership. Understanding an agent’s submission guidelines is equally important, as requirements regarding formatting, materials, and method of contact are strictly enforced.
Targeting an agent who has a track record in a similar niche is important, as agents often specialize in narrow categories, such as young adult fantasy or narrative non-fiction. Submitting a novel to an agent who only represents an unrelated genre signals a lack of professional preparation. The goal of the research phase is to construct a curated list of agents who are the best possible fit for the manuscript’s specific market placement.
Crafting the Essential Query Package
The query package is the author’s professional sales pitch, designed to convince the agent that the manuscript is a marketable property. This package typically consists of three components: the query letter, a synopsis, and a sample of the manuscript pages. Each element must be polished and adhere to industry expectations, as the package is the single opportunity to make a positive first impression. The quality of these materials determines whether an agent requests more material or passes on the submission.
Writing a Compelling Query Letter
The query letter serves as a single-page advertisement for the book and must be concise, professional, and engaging. The letter begins with a compelling hook that encapsulates the novel’s premise, protagonist, and central conflict in just a few sentences. This brief narrative pitch should immediately capture the agent’s attention and communicate the unique selling proposition of the story.
The pitch is followed by the “housekeeping” paragraph, which provides the genre, the final word count, and one or two comparison titles, or “comp titles.” Comp titles are recently published books that help the agent understand the manuscript’s market placement and target readership. The letter concludes with a brief author biography that mentions any relevant writing credentials, professional background, or platform elements. The entire query letter should not exceed 300 words, demonstrating the author’s ability to be brief and professional.
Developing an Effective Synopsis
The synopsis provides the agent with a comprehensive overview of the entire plot, including all major narrative beats and the ending of the story. Unlike jacket copy, the synopsis does not hide spoilers; its purpose is to demonstrate the author’s control over the narrative arc, pacing, and character development. It should be written in the third person, present tense, and maintain the manuscript’s specific tone to give the agent a sense of the writing style.
A standard synopsis is usually between one and two pages, depending on the agent’s specific guidelines. It must clearly outline the main conflict, the character’s journey, and how the plot resolves, confirming that the story is fully realized and satisfying. A well-written synopsis proves the author has successfully constructed a complete and coherent story.
Preparing Your Sample Pages
The requested sample pages are the final opportunity to showcase the quality of the prose and the strength of the opening. Agents typically request the first chapter or the first ten pages of the manuscript, as these pages must immediately draw the reader in and introduce the world and characters effectively. The sample pages must be submitted in standard manuscript format, which generally means 12-point, Times New Roman or Courier font, double-spaced, with indented paragraphs and one-inch margins.
Managing the Submission Process and Timeline
Once submissions are sent, establishing a systematic method for tracking each query is a professional necessity. A spreadsheet or dedicated software should be used to record the agent’s name, the date the query was sent, the materials included, and the agent’s specific submission guidelines. This organized approach prevents accidental double-submissions and ensures the author adheres to all specified waiting periods.
The submission process is characterized by significant wait times, as agents manage large volumes of queries alongside their client work. Standard response times for a query letter can range from four to twelve weeks, and some agents may take longer. A request for additional material, known as a “request for a full,” is a positive signal that the agent is seriously considering the project.
Query etiquette dictates that authors should only follow up if the agent has explicitly stated a response time that has been exceeded. Many agents operate on a policy of “no response means no.” If an agent requests a full manuscript, and another agent offers representation, the author must immediately notify all agents holding the full that there is an offer on the table.
Evaluating and Accepting an Offer of Representation
Receiving an offer of representation is a significant milestone that initiates a brief evaluation period. The author must immediately contact any other agents who are currently reviewing the manuscript, informing them of the offer and the deadline by which they must make their decision. This professional courtesy ensures all interested parties have a fair chance to compete for the author’s work.
The next step involves a scheduled “offer call” with the offering agent, which is the time for the author to ask detailed questions about the proposed partnership. Pertinent topics include the agent’s sales history in the author’s genre, their editorial vision for the book, and their specific submission strategy. Authors should also inquire about the agent’s communication style, their roster size, and their approach to career management.
Before signing any formal paperwork, it is recommended that the author consult with a publishing-specific attorney to review the agency agreement. An attorney can identify problematic clauses regarding termination rights or commission on unearned advances. Securing legal counsel provides assurance that the terms of the representation are fair and beneficial.