As I travel with my novels, teach at writing schools, and coach other authors, I get asked about the same topics over and over again, so I’m going to address the most frequently asked questions here on this blog.
I’ll start with the topic I’m asked about most often: how to get an agent.
(This is all just one author’s opinion, by the way. Every journey is different. You’ll have to, ultimately, figure all of this out for yourself. But this is my best advice, based on my experience and the experience of other authors I know)
1: Do I have to have an agent to submit my work to publishers?
If you’re looking to land a traditional publisher, then yes. Most traditional publishing houses will only take submissions from agents, so you must get representation on board first. No debates on this one. If, however, you are going to self-publish, then no. You can do that all on your own! (I’m going to a post about traditional versus self-publishing soon)
2: I hear that agents will only take on established writers. Is that true?
That’s a persistent myth, but I assure you it’s false.
An agent will sign you if they think they can sell your book. It’s that simple.
Yes, one reason why an agent might think they can sell your book is if you are well-established (and yes, there are some agents who will ONLY sign you if you already have proven sales). But some agents might think they can sell your book because of your unique biography, because they know the perfect editor for your material, or because they LIKE YOUR WRITING and THINK OTHER PEOPLE WILL LIKE IT TOO. There are lots of reasons why an agent might choose to sign you: write something undeniable and you won't be denied (well, not as often, anyway).
3: I also hear that you have to have a connection to an agent in order to be considered. What if I don’t have a personal connection to a literary agent?
Another persistent myth that is false.
You don’t need a special connection to get an agent to read your work. Yes, some big agents require a reference and are not open to blind submissions, but there are lots of agents looking for new clients, and you don’t need a connection to reach them. You just need their contact information, a good query letter (see the question below), and a great manuscript. (I know this from experience. I found a great agent to represent my debut novel without a single connection, with NOTHING BUT A BLIND QUERY LETTER.)
Agents need clients, just as publishers need authors, and readers need books… You just have to find the agent who will be interested in YOUR material.
4: Okay, so how do I find a list of agents who will be interested in my material?
I’m sorry to tell you that there’s no special service or website that can easily generate such a list for you (there are services that will HELP, but none that can do it all for you). You must do the research.
Start by making a list of books that are VERY, VERY, VERY similar to your book and that have been released in the last few years.
Next, focus on the authors who are still early in their careers, so you’ll know their agents will be open to representing debut writers.
Now, head to the internet to find out who represents these authors. Many have the information listed right on their website. If not, you can always try a website like Query Tracker (or others). More often than not a clear, specific Google search will do it.)
Now, find that AGENT’s contact information. Again, often, they have a website with clear instructions for how to submit. Those are the BEST. It means they are EAGERLY SEEKING SUBMISSIONS. If they don’t have a website with clear submission guidelines, you can try a service like PW.org or Publishers Marketplace to help you track them down… but make sure they say they are open to submissions or else you are wasting your time.
Now that you have that list, you’re ready to write your query letter and submit it to a list of agents who will LOVE to look at YOUR material.
(Yes, this is something I help other authors with all the time. If you want personalized help developing your targeted agent list, inquire about this service as part of author coaching).
5: What should I put in my query letter?
This question is so big, I’ve written an entirely separate post about it. One extra note: ask your friends, family, and writers’ group read your query BEFORE it goes out! You only get one chance to impress.
6: Should I submit my query to more than one agent at the same time?
Every agent seems to feel differently about this. The best advice I can give you is to pay attention to each agent’s submission instructions. If they say they don’t accept simultaneous submissions, then don’t submit to anyone else when you’re out to them. If they don’t specifically mention it in their instructions, you can feel free to simultaneously submit. This is really just basic politeness: when submitting to an agent, listen to what they want (i.e., read their instructions carefully) and proceed as directed.
7: What if Agents don’t respond to my query? (And How Long Should I wait before checking in?)
If an agent doesn’t respond, I would suggest waiting a full six weeks before dropping them another email. If you still don’t hear back, move on.
If you submit to 5-10 agents who should be interested in your material (you know this because you’ve done your research) and are currently open to submissions (you know this because it says so on their website) and NONE of those agents respond to your query then SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOUR QUERY! Have an objective person read it (i.e., not your mother or spouse). Rework it. Do NOT keep sending out the same query that isn't working. Make it better before you go after another round of agents.
8: What if agents request material, but no one signs me?
The good news: Your query is working and agents are attracted to your pitch! Now, to the harder news: no one has yet connected to your material. Rest assured, not every book or writing style will be for every agent, so don’t get too discouraged if a few agents turn you down once reading your material. However, do look critically at the responses you get. Do they blow you off with a generic response “not for me, good luck!” (a sign that they did not connect at all with your work). Or did they engage and give you specific feedback? (A sign that they were engaged and interested enough to give a thoughtful response).
If you get 5-10 agents requesting material, but no one has signed you, I would highly recommend taking a step back and looking again at your manuscript to make sure it is the best it can possibly be.
9: How do I pick the best agent for me?
Congrats! If you’re at this question, you have received an offer to sign (or maybe multiple offers)! I’ve worked with representation whom I love and reps who were terrible… FOR ME. Here’s my best advice: make sure you are on the same page with a vision for your career. Do you envision a Big 5 and a movie deal, but the agent in question is only talking about a small, niche press? This is not a good fit; you’re better off to keep looking.
Also, check in on your communication styles. Do you like straight-talk and no BS? Then find a straight-talking agent. If you need encouragement, find an encouraging agent. If you need optimism, look for optimism. This is a partner for you career: you want to get along with them and have communication styles that complement each other.
10: What’s your number one piece of advice for new writers seeking an agent?
Before you even think about getting an agent please, please, please, please make sure that your manuscript is of publishable quality. Be REALLY hard on yourself. And when you think it’s good enough, put it away in a filing cabinet for a few weeks and come back to it. Compare it to your favorite books — DOES it compare or fall flat? When your stomach coils at a sentence, fix it. If your gut tells you that the middle is slow, tighten it up!
It’s a book. It’s not supposed to be written fast. It’s supposed to be written well. And the only way you’re going to get an agent (and then a publisher and then readers and then lifelong fans to support your career) is if your book isn’t only good, but it’s GREAT.
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