Last week I promised you some thoughts on query letters and I am here to deliver. As I began to prepare for this topic, I realized it would be unwise to tackle it all in one week. Instead, we’ll discuss the who and why and how of query letters over the next two or three weeks. So hang with me and if I don’t get to your questions this week, I promise to get to them soon.

My guess is we have a fairly broad spectrum of experience here. Some of you have actively researched the querying process and have even sent out query letters of your own. Others of you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about when I say “query.”

So let’s start with the obvious. What is a query letter?

A query is a business letter whereby you introduce yourself and your manuscript to a literary agent you’re interested in working with.

In light of this knowledge, you may be asking yourself, “Why would I need an agent?”

So, let’s talk about that for a sec, because the truth is, not everyone does.

If you’re intending to pursue self-publishing or do not have a completed manuscript, you do not need an agent.

Working to secure a literary agent is something a writer does when they have a completed manuscript they would like to sell to a publishing house.

And suddenly, we have another question to answer: Do you NEED an agent if you hope to attract a traditional publisher?

Most likely, yes, you do. Though there are certainly exceptions. Some smaller publishing houses accept unagented submissions, and occasionally a larger publishing house will go through seasons where they put out a call for such. It’s also possible you’ll have an opportunity to pitch your project to an editor face-to-face at a conference or the like. In that case, you may not need to have secured representation.

But, for the most part, traditional publishing houses do not accept unagented submissions. And while this may feel like a hoop you have to jump through to get your manuscript published, it is such a valuable experience: researching agents and their submission guidelines, learning to pitch your novel, editing your work until it’s as good as you can possibly make it, taking the brave step of sending your writing out into the great wide world, and then waiting to see what comes of it.

From the perspective of a publishing house, limiting submissions to agented authors is a huge benefit. It means editors are only seeing projects that have been looked at and enjoyed by industry professionals. Oftentimes, agents filter out projects that aren’t ready for the next step toward publication. Obviously, this isn’t a perfect process and personal taste plays a role, but this set of eyes is helpful to publishing houses who have inboxes full of submissions to read.

And while you may wonder why you have to trouble with an agent at all, let me say this: you need an agent. You want an agent. Truly.

But not just any agent. A good one.

Agents who excel at their job have contacts you don’t have. They know the market and they maintain relationships with editors in all the top publishing houses. They work hard to understand the kind of books that sell to specific publishers, and which editors are looking for which genres. They know how much money is reasonable to expect and they know when to negotiate for more. They’re experts on subsidiary rights and the overseas market. They understand how the language in a contract can limit or disadvantage an author, and they work tirelessly to ensure you get the very best deal possible.

And, on top of all the red tape hassle, before they’ve earned a dime off you, a good agent will help you polish your manuscript so that it is ready for the next step: going out on submission with major publishing houses.

See, a legitimate agent will not ask you for money up front. They work on commission, making a percentage of what you make, so it’s in their best interest to find you the best deal possible. From the get-go, they are invested in your career and when the waves get choppy out there, it’s your agent who knows how to navigate the waters of the publishing industry. In fact, that’s their job in a nutshell.

Once you’re certain you need an agent, the next thing to consider is which agent. Because if you’re anything like I was when I first started out, you’ve never met a mysterious magical creature dubbed “literary agent” and you likely have no idea where to look.

Here are a few suggestions where you can research agents for FREE:

QueryTracker.net

This website allows you to scroll through lists of literary agents or search for particular agents by name. The site also gives you information on which genres the agent reps and how to locate their submission guidelines. By joining the site for free, you can also set up an account that will help you track which agents you’re interested in and which agents you’ve queried. Be aware that you still need to look up an agent’s website to cross check the information you’re seeing on Query Tracker. Sometimes details change or aren’t updated as they should be.

Twitter.com

Many industry professionals have a Twitter account. PLEASE DO NOT QUERY OR PITCH AN AGENT OVER ANY KIND OF SOCIAL MEDIA! But, if you go to the search bar and type in ‘literary agent’ and then select ‘people’, oodles of folks will pop up. Not all of them are legit, so please just use this tactic as a jumping off point, but you might enjoy scrolling through the feeds of various agents. Oftentimes, they’re tweeting about the books they love, the books they represent, and what they’re interested in acquiring. If a particular agent looks interesting, you can likely find a link to their website on their profile page.

ManuscriptWishList.com

Many agents have set up a profile on this website. By searching for their name you can learn a little about them and what they are hoping to receive in their inbox. The website also links to each agent’s Twitter account and any tweets they’ve sent out with the hashtag #MSWL. You can also search this tag on Twitter to see what a variety of agents are looking to acquire.

Acknowledgements

Authors often acknowledge their agents, either on their social media accounts or in the back of their books. Identifying agents who worked on books similar to yours can be as easy as searching out your favorite authors.

If you’re willing to spend money, there are additional ways to research agents. For $25 a month, you can join Publisher’s Marketplace and this will allow you to read up further on an agent, including their recent deals, job changes, and industry updates.

If you prefer a hard copy listing, you could also purchase a copy of Writer’s Market. Each year a new version of this book hits the shelves and it’s very comprehensive. Although, publishing is known for it’s many job changes, so at any given time it could be out of date, which means you’ll need to use the internet to cross check.

As you begin your research, my suggestion is to start a list of the agents you’re interested in pursuing. Make sure to verify that each agent you’re looking into is currently accepting queries and represents the genre you write.

You’re going to need a web address for each agent so you can look up their submission guidelines. Not all agents want the same materials sent to them with your query letter.

Some agents want only the query, while others may request pages. Some agents want you to send those pages as an attachment while other agencies prefer the pages to be copied and pasted as text into the email message. It’s important to send an agent what they’re asking for and nothing more. Their reasons may not matter to you, but they aren’t arbitrary and playing by the rules is important here. It can be the difference between an auto-delete and a respectful reply.

You’re also going to need an email address for each agent. A dedicated submission address is often provided on their website. Use that. And always, always be polite when addressing an industry professional. Aside from the basic goodness of this gesture, rude or pompous communication will bite you. It is not cool or flattering to presume upon someone’s time and good faith; it is obnoxious and rude and, often, remembered.  

Next week we’re going to dive into what you should and should not include in your query letter. But tell me, do you have any questions about the process? Things you’re hoping I’ll address as we discuss query letters? Let me know! I’m happy to help.

Shannon Dittemore is an author and speaker. Her books include the Angel Eyes trilogy, a supernatural foray into the realm of angels and demons, as well as the fantastical adventure novel Winter, White and Wicked. Its sequel, Rebel, Brave and Brutal is due out January 10, 2023.

Shannon’s stories feature strong female leads grappling with fear and faith as they venture into the wilds of the unknown. She’s often wondered if she’s writing her own quest for bravery again and again.

It’s a choice she values highly. Bravery. And she’s never more inspired than when young people ball up their fist and punch fear in the face.

To that end, Shannon takes great joy in working with young writers, both in person and online at Go Teen Writers, an instructional blog recognized by Writer’s Digest four years running as a “101 Best Websites for Writers” selection.

For more about Shannon and her books, please visit her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.