Unpublished writers dreaming of fame and fortune may not get very far without the help of a literary agent. After all, there is a lot of competition going on in the fiction market, and those writers without a professional to represent their manuscript may find themselves last in line for consideration.
Locating the Right Agent
There are many great sources at book stores and libraries to help the aspiring novelist research literary agents. An up-to-date version of the Guide to Literary Agents by Chuck Sambuchino is always a good investment, since it compiles information about many agents the writer might never locate on their own time.
Another great resource is the internet. Many literary agents have their own blogs and websites where they make daily posts and consistently update their submission guidelines. This provides incredible insights into what the agent is looking for and why.
There is also a very helpful website called Agent Query that allows writers to search for agents in both the fiction and nonfiction categories. Writers can even search for agents who publish certain literary genres.
Formatting the Query Letter
When querying an agent, it is best to format the letter the same as a standard business communication. Single spaced 12-point font in Times New Roman is generally accepted. Do not indent paragraphs. Instead, align the text to the left and leave a single space in between each paragraph.
For the agent’s convenience, the writer should include standard contact information (name, address, telephone number, and email) in the top left hand corner of the letter.
Also, it is best to keep the letter short. One page is generally considered to be the maximum.
The Introduction
There are five things the writer should try to mention in the first paragraph of his letter. These are:
- Whether he is published/unpublished
- The genre of the book
- The title of the book
- The word count
- Whether or not the manuscript is complete
This information will immediately orient the agent and will also tell them whether or not the writer has researched their submission guidelines. Most agents will appreciate knowing the writer has not simply picked them off a list of names.
The Blurb
The second paragraph summarizes the bare bones plot of the book in a way that is interesting and concise. Ideally, the writer should explain their plot and the challenges faced by their protagonist in ten or fewer sentences. As a guide, it may help the writer to style their summary after the blurbs found on most book jackets. The writer should not tell how the book ends.
The Concluding Paragraph and Biographical Info
Once the writer has summarized the book and (hopefully) left the agent feeling intrigued, they will need to share any part of their own history that is relevant to the writing business. This includes education and degrees, memberships in writing organizations, awards from writing contests, and previously published materials. The writer should always close by thanking the agent for their time and consideration.
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