How To Make An Agent Fall In Love With You (and Your Book)
Here are some tips for how you can move to the top of that slush pile and get your manuscript in front of the right agent.
Before you get started seeking an agent, ask yourself: Am I (and is my book) ready for this step? I highly recommend reading this article How (Not) To Get A Book Deal by Summer Brennan.
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! If there is a typo in your query letter or the first page of your submission, there is a 99.9% likelihood it is going in the trash. Bonus points if you have a friend proofread it too, extra credit if you hire a professional.
Revise! Revise! Revise! Only send your most polished version of your manuscript. Ideally, this is a manuscript that has been self-edited, professionally edited, and beta-read by at least three readers. For more info on how to find your next beta readers, click here.
Keep the tone professional. You will have the chance to show your cute and funny side after you get the agent. A good rule of thumb: Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in a job interview! Don’t curse, don’t make jokes — you only have one chance to make a first impression with your agent and they will remember how you made them feel.
Front-load your work! (This one is verrrrry important!) Make the first page of your story the strongest in a narrative sense to keep those readers interested. Your first page is where you will show your writing chops and convince whoever is reading to keep reading and choose you. Make it count. <3
Read the submission guidelines and don’t stray at all from what they are asking for. If they want double-spaced in 14-point comic sans, just do it! Don’t provide a bio or a sample unless they ask for it explicitly.
Consider the person on the other side of your submission. They are usually unpaid, tired, hungry, and thirsty. Give them only the words you are proud of (which should be the case if you followed steps 1 & 2!)
Be humble. Prepare yourself for rejection because it will happen. This is part of being a good literary citizen and just because an agent didn’t choose to represent you, doesn’t mean this is where the relationship must end. If you are lucky enough to get feedback or a personalized rejection later, make sure to make good use of their notes. Taking good care of yourself after rejection is also important. <3
If you have any connections to the agent you’re submitting to, be sure to mention it — but be cool! This isn’t where you mention you got drunk with their cousin at a St. Patrick’s Day party in ‘09; this is where you remind them that you spoke about Rilke at the Book Convention last month.
If you are including a bio, make sure to include only the most prestigious and relevant facts about yourself. The agent you’re submitting to doesn’t need to know that you played Peter Pan in your high school play — yes, your parents are very proud, but this does not matter at all to your agent. Include any awards and accolades as well as any publishing credits you have. If you have been published by a long list of small magazines, choose your top three and stop there. Less is more when it comes to your bio. If you really want to know how to write the best ever bio, I’ve got a quick workshop you can take online!
Always, no matter what, send a thank you note or email. (Bonus points if it is personalized!)
Lastly, it is important to remember that not every agent will be a good fit for you. It will feel so, soooo good when an agent reaches out to say they loved your manuscript and they want to work with you, but make sure you’ve done your research on who they are and what they represent. Do a Google search and reach out to any colleagues who might have the scoop.
(I used this source to help with this list.)