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Getting an Agent: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Representation
You’ve written and polished your novel, a monumental achievement. Now, if your dream is to see that book on the shelves of a traditional bookstore, your next quest is getting an agent. A literary agent is a professional who acts as your business partner and champion in the traditional publishing industry.
An agent’s primary job is to sell your manuscript to an acquiring editor at a publishing house. For most major traditional publishers, a manuscript will not even be considered unless it is submitted by a reputable agent. Getting an agent is the crucial first step to a traditional publishing career.
Key Takeaways & Summary
Your Gateway to Traditional Publishing: A literary agent is a professional representative who pitches your finished, polished novel to traditional publishers.
The Process is Called “Querying”: The process of seeking representation is called “querying,” and it involves sending agents a professional business letter (a “query letter”).
Research is the Most Important Step: The key to success is to create a targeted list of agents who are actively looking for books in your specific genre.
Professionalism is Non-Negotiable: Your manuscript must be 100% complete and professionally edited before you begin the querying process.
Step 1: Prepare Your "Submission Package"
Before you can even think about contacting an agent, you must have your professional materials ready. This is the foundation of your entire effort.
A Finished, Polished Manuscript: You are querying a finished product. Do not query a work-in-progress. Your manuscript should have been through multiple rounds of self-editing and, ideally, a round of professional book editing.
A Perfect Novel Query Letter: This is your one-page sales pitch. It must be professional, compelling, and follow a rigid industry format. Our guide to writing a novel query letter is an essential resource.
A Professional Synopsis: A one-to-two-page, single-spaced summary of your entire plot, from beginning to end (including all the spoilers).
Step 2: Research and Build Your Target List
Do not send a mass email to every agent you can find. This is the fastest way to get rejected. The key to getting an agent is targeted, meticulous research.
Where to Find Agents:
Online Databases: Websites like Publishers Marketplace and QueryTracker are the industry-standard tools for creating a literary agents list.
The “Acknowledgments” Section of Your Favorite Books: Look in the acknowledgments of books that are similar to yours. The author will almost always thank their agent by name.
How to Vet Agents:
Do they represent your genre? This is the most important factor.
Are they open to submissions? Check their agency website.
Follow their submission guidelines exactly.
Step 3: Send Your Queries in Batches
Once you have a target list of 10-15 well-researched agents, send out your first batch of queries.
Why in batches?: If you get a 100% rejection rate on your first batch, it may be a sign that there is a problem with your query letter or first pages. This gives you a chance to revise your materials before you query your “dream” agents.
Track Everything: Use a spreadsheet to keep a detailed record of who you queried, when you sent it, and their response.
Step 4: Handle the Responses (and Rejections)
Rejections: Rejection is a normal, expected, and universal part of the process. Most will be form rejections. Do not reply to them. Learn from any personalized feedback you receive and move on with a professional author mindset.
Requests: If an agent is intrigued by your query, they will request either a “partial” (the first 50 pages) or a “full” manuscript. Respond promptly and professionally.
Getting an agent is a long and often challenging process that requires patience and resilience. It’s a key reason many authors choose the independent path, where our Amazon KDP publishing services can get your finished novel to a global audience without the need for an agent.
Short FAQ
Q: Does a legitimate literary agent ever charge a fee?
A: No, absolutely not. A reputable agent only makes money by taking a commission (typically 15%) from the deals they secure for you after they have sold your book. Any “agent” who asks for a reading fee is a scam. The Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) has a strict code of ethics on this.
Q: How long does it take to hear back from an agent?
A: Response times can vary from a few hours to six months or more. Many agents now have a “no response means no” policy. Check their submission guidelines for their stated response time.
Q: What if I don’t have a platform or social media following?
A: For fiction, an author’s platform is much less important. The story is what matters. A fantastic, well-written novel with a great concept can get an agent’s attention, even if you have zero social media presence.
