Searching for a Literary Agent

 

Looking to snag yourself a literary agent and land that book deal? Well, buckle up because it's not going to be a walk in the park. Most publishers won't even sniff at your manuscript unless you have an agent by your side. To find that perfect match, you'll need to roll up your sleeves and do some serious digging.

Here's the lowdown on how to charm your way into an agent's good graces:

• Dive into those agent directories

• Hone in on your book's genre and audience

• Seek out agents who dig books like yours

• Do your homework and narrow down your list

• Draft those personalized query letters

• Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of requests and rejections

• Choose the agent who feels like the missing piece of your puzzle

So, get ready to hustle and find that literary soulmate!

1. Check out literary agent directories

Agents may be located in big cities like New York and London, but you can't just stroll through the literary district knocking on doors. Thankfully, there are online directories with top literary agents seeking submissions.

We've compiled a free list of agents complete with agency info, client history, preferred genres, and contact preferences. Filter searches by location and genre, and find agents who love debut authors.

Share your querying experiences with other writers on our directory to get insider info on agents. With a paid membership, Publishers Marketplace offers detailed agent databases for vetting.

MSWL helps writers find agents and editors looking for specific elements in manuscripts. Follow #MSWL on Twitter for more leads.

You're now armed with the best ways to find a literary agent. Next up, we'll dive into querying tips for success!

2. Discover your book's genre and market appeal to attract the right agent.

Know where your story fits and what sets it apart in the crowded literary world.

What makes your book stand out in its genre?

Consider its commercial appeal to publishers - a compelling story is key, but marketability is essential for landing a book deal.

Explore similar titles to gauge your book's potential in the market.

Check out industry resources like Publisher Weekly, The Bookseller, Publishers Marketplace, and Literary Hub for insights and reviews.

Once you've identified your book's market potential, target agents who are seeking stories like yours.

Don't just write a book; create a must-read masterpiece that stands out in a sea of stories.

3. Find the perfect agent for your book 

Start by browsing online directories and shortlisting agents who match your genre. Use a simple spreadsheet to keep track of your picks. 

Don’t be afraid to shortlist more agents than you think you need - aim for 50-60 to increase your chances of success.

Consider their client lists and make sure your work doesn’t overlap too much with existing authors.

Check if they are currently accepting queries and limit yourself to one agent per agency.

Dig deeper into their preferences and make sure you’re a good fit. 

Don’t get discouraged by rejection - it’s all part of the process. 

Choose wisely and set yourself up for success in the literary world!

4. Thoroughly vet your shortlist

Ensure they’re reputable

Check their sales record and clients

Agents who match your goals

Discover how they work

QueryTracker and forums reveal all

Consider new agents

Research and confirm their credibility

Potential for success

Less experience, more motivation

Pitch perfect query letter

Get ready to shine!

5. Crafting personalized query letters is a crucial step in the agent-finding journey. Show agents you mean business by tailoring each letter to their specific preferences. Dive into our handy guide on query letters for key tips on standing out. Remember to include a captivating hook, book synopsis, author bio, and comp titles. Double-check submission guidelines for any extra requirements agents may have. Before hitting send, scrutinize your materials for errors and make sure everything fits the word count.

Send out your queries in batches of 15, allowing room for feedback and refinement. Be prepared for three possible outcomes: rejection, manuscript requests, or radio silence. Handling agents’ responses gracefully is next on the agenda. Keep striving forward with confidence and resilience in this exciting process.

6. Taking your query to the next step.

Personalized rejections can hurt — it’s not fun to get that “almost, but not quite there” feeling, but getting this type of feedback is actually quite rare. If an agent takes time out of their busy day to drop you an encouraging note along with their rejection, appreciate that as a positive thing.

Standard rejections aren’t all bad news

Standard rejections are very, very common — so try not to let a growing pile of rejection letters (well, emails) change your sense of your work’s worth. All it takes is one person to like your idea. Douglas Stuart’s Booker-winning novel Shuggie Bain only received a single publishing offer. Would you not see that as a success? Don’t give up yet.

If, however, you have reason to believe that your query letter needs more work, see if you can improve it before contacting any more agents. If you want an experienced pair of eyes to help you past this roadblock, you may consider hiring an editor to critique your query letter.

Work on your query with a professional

Many editors are former agents and publishers. Meet them today and get them to polish your query.

Silence is the new “no”

There are a few ways of looking at not hearing from an agent: “One is the ever-delightful ‘Silence is the new no.’ Another is, well, if they are already saying no, my slightly goofy, slightly annoying follow-up really doesn't change that fact.”

It’s true that some authors don’t love the idea of following up — after all, if an agent was enthralled by your letter, they’d rush to get in touch, right? To some extent, that’s true, but it’s also true that emails can fall through the cracks, so if you really want to make sure your query was seen by an agent, a short and polite follow-up is never frowned upon.

"Heh, remember that query letter I sent you?"

Fran shares that in a follow-up email, it's always best to “just be quick and fairly neutral. Self-deprecation is often unbecoming and self-fulfilling.” For those who have not yet submitted a manuscript request, she recommends a follow-up along these lines:

As I figure out my next steps, I am wondering if you had a chance to consider my query letter (see below). If I don't hear back, I'll assume it's a “no.”

If they’ve already requested a manuscript sample, remind them of that — Fran suggests keeping the same notion of “I'm organizing my publishing plans…:”

I’m hoping you are enjoying the manuscript and understand if you need more time. If you have an idea of when I might hear back, please let me know.

Selecting the perfect agent is key for your success You sent out your manuscript and got offers - go you! Now it's time to choose the right agent. They'll share their vision for your book and career before offering representation. Exciting, huh? Take your time to pick the best fit. If you have multiple offers, follow the advice of an award-winning author: go with the agent who believes in you the most. Watch out for fake agents asking for money upfront. Consider self-publishing if traditional routes aren't working out. Stay patient and diligent in your search. You'll find the perfect partner eventually.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, and oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.