The querying process is long and tedious. It’s similar to job hunting, where you’re writing a cover letter and putting together a sample of your work to hand over to another party. But how exactly do you go about this process? Although it sounds simple, the process has 5 distinct steps or categories that need to be completed in order for you to have queried an agent properly.
If you can do your research and prepare whatever you can ahead of time, this will save you a headache once you start submitting applications and emails. Note: Many literary agents no longer take physical mail, so be prepared to do more writing.
- Research Agents
The first step to the query process is to research literary agents and their agencies.
The best place to start is in the back of your favorite books. Most authors write acknowledgments, where they thank friends, family, editors, beta readers, their publishing house, and their agent for making their writing dreams possible.
Make a list of these agents. Once you’ve found at least 5 agents, search them up on the World Wide Web. You should be able to pull up their bio on their agency website or their manuscript wish list.
- Write Your Query Letter
A query letter should be short and precise and include the following: a hook, synopsis, comparable titles, and your own bio. Join my newsletter for a FREE query letter example and template.
- Write a Synopsis
You’ve already written a synopsis in your query letter. How’s this step different and separate?
This separate synopsis tells an agent the entire plot or overview of your novel. Information to include are the important character’s names, age, occupation, characteristic traits; the character’s goals and motivations; themes; the plot twist/climax; and resolution.
For a synopsis example and template, see the bundle below.
- Format Your Manuscript
Next, you’ll want to format your manuscript because some agents will ask for the first 10 pages, others 30-50 pages, while others none at all. Either way, you’ll want a final copy of your manuscript for the querying process.
- Submit Your Work
The last and final step is to submit your work. Some agents use QueryTracker while others ask you to email them your specific documents, which are your query letter, synopsis and sample manuscript. Pay close attention to their website for such details.
Congratulations–you have completed all 5 steps! Now rinse and repeat. Then give yourself a much needed break–You deserve it!
Learn more in the video below:
Are you ready to go from writer to published author? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a FREE Query Letter Template. And there’s more–you can also get this template along with a synopsis template PLUS a spreadsheet to track your querying process, and more.
Check out the bundle below:
