Traditional publishing, especially with major houses, requires literary agents to serve as professional intermediaries between authors and publishers. Securing representation is nearly always a prerequisite for a book deal, as most large publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. The agent’s primary function is to champion the author’s work, using their industry knowledge and connections to identify the most suitable editors and publishing houses for a given project. They also advocate for the author’s interests by negotiating the contract, aiming for the best terms regarding advances, royalties, and the sale of subsidiary rights like film or foreign translation.
Ensure Your Manuscript is Ready
Before beginning outreach, the manuscript must be complete and polished to a professional standard. Agents seek finished work that demonstrates the author’s highest level of craft, not a work-in-progress. This requires rigorous self-editing, addressing structural issues, pacing, character development, and prose mechanics. Sharing the manuscript with beta readers or a formal critique partnership provides outside perspective on the work’s strengths and weaknesses. Feedback from these sources can reveal blind spots and areas needing refinement. Many authors also invest in professional freelance editing before querying to ensure the manuscript is impeccable upon submission.
Understand the Role of the Agent and Your Genre
Agent expectations and required submission materials vary significantly between fiction and non-fiction projects. For fiction, the agent focuses almost entirely on the quality of the completed manuscript, which is the primary product they sell. Non-fiction, however, generally requires a strong author platform and a compelling case for marketability, often before the manuscript is finished. Non-fiction agents prioritize the author’s established expertise, credentials, and existing audience or social media presence, demonstrating a built-in readership. Agents are also highly specialized, often focusing on specific genres or sub-genres. Understanding an agent’s specific tastes and sales history is important, as they only consider projects that align with their expertise and current acquisition goals.
Research and Target Potential Literary Agents
Developing a targeted list of potential representatives maximizes the author’s chances of success. Professional databases like Publisher’s Marketplace or QueryTracker are valuable resources for identifying agents who have recently sold books in the author’s specific genre. These platforms allow authors to view an agent’s track record, including successful sales in the author’s category and comparable titles. Authors should also check agency websites, which state the types of projects each agent is seeking and their submission guidelines. Resources like Manuscript Wish List (MSWL) further refine the search by allowing agents to post specific requests for manuscripts. The goal is to build a personalized query list where each agent has a demonstrated interest in the author’s type of work, thus ensuring the submission is highly targeted and professional.
Crafting the Essential Submission Materials
The submission package is the author’s professional introduction to the agent and must be meticulously prepared. It typically includes a query letter, a synopsis, and, for non-fiction, a comprehensive book proposal.
The Query Letter
The query letter is a concise, one-page business letter that acts as the book’s sales pitch. It must begin with a compelling hook, followed by a brief summary of the plot’s central conflict and stakes. The letter concludes with a short biographical paragraph, including the manuscript’s word count, genre, and any relevant writing accomplishments. Brevity and professionalism are necessary, as the letter’s sole purpose is to secure a request for more material.
The Synopsis
A synopsis provides a detailed, often two-to-three-page summary of the entire manuscript, including the ending. Unlike the query letter, the synopsis is spoiler-filled, focusing on the narrative arc, character motivations, and the resolution of all major plot threads. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the author has a fully realized, well-structured story with a satisfying conclusion. For non-fiction, a similar document may summarize the book’s argument and structure.
The Non-Fiction Book Proposal
For non-fiction, the book proposal is often the most important document, frequently submitted before the full manuscript is written. This extensive document details the book’s marketability, including a competitive titles analysis to show where the book fits into the current landscape. A section dedicated to the author platform is required, demonstrating the author’s reach and ability to promote the book. The proposal also includes a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, a marketing plan, and sample chapters to showcase writing quality.
The Querying Process: Rules of Submission
The execution of the submission plan requires attention to the specific guidelines set by each agency. Authors must strictly adhere to the agent’s stated preferences, which specify the method of submission (email versus online form), the precise materials to include (e.g., the first ten pages or the synopsis), and whether attachments are permitted. While many agents accept simultaneous submissions, this practice should be confirmed by checking the agent’s individual guidelines. Maintaining a detailed tracking system, such as a spreadsheet, is necessary to log the agent’s name, the date of submission, the materials sent, and response times.
Handling Responses and Offers of Representation
The querying process involves managing various outcomes, from rejections to requests for more material. A “request for a partial” or “request for a full” manuscript is a positive sign, indicating the agent is interested in the project and wants to evaluate the entire work. If rejections are received, the author must objectively assess any feedback and determine if the manuscript requires further revision before querying the next batch of agents. The most significant response is an offer of representation. Upon receiving an offer, the author must immediately notify all other agents still considering the submission. This “offer protocol” provides a limited timeframe, typically two weeks, for other agents to read the manuscript and make a competing offer. Before accepting, the author should thoroughly interview the prospective agent to discuss their vision for the book, submission strategy, and the specifics of the agency agreement.