Agent Queries

I've recently started looking for a literary agent. Getting professional representation is almost as hard as getting published. Authors I've talked to say that getting an agent can take 30-60 attempts, even for an outstanding book. Knowing this figure, I started researching ways to improve my chances.

Match prospective agents to your style and genre. Agentquery.com and Writer's Market provided me with a wealth of information on how to track down agents that specialize in my kind of writing (or as close to my kind of writing as anyone gets). Agent Query has a robust, customizable search feature that will give you agents' names, contact information, and most recent sales.

Make sure that the agent is accepting new clients. Many agents already have full client lists (some represent about 50 at once) and only add one or two new clients a year. Check agents' profiles on their agencies' web sites to see if they're seeking new clients. Agent Query also lets you filter searches by agents with openings on their client lists.

(Optional) check to see if the agent is an AAR member. The Association of Authors' Representatives is a voluntary professional organization of literary agents. AAR agents adhere to an admirable list of principles, including the requirement that they not charge reading fees. Considering the glut of inexperienced and scam agents that entered the market in the last several years, AAR membership is a good sign that an agent can be trusted.

Write a query letter. Unlike publishers, which usually want to see your whole manuscript (or at least several chapters) up front, most agents prefer that first contact be made with a short introductory letter. There are almost as many tips for writing query letters as there are agents, but some guidelines are constant.

• Keep it short: between 250-300 words. Agents are busy and you must grab their attention fast.
• Each query has three parts: project details, a hook, and an author bio. Include such details as the book's genre, the total word count, whether it's a standalone story or part of a series, etc. The hook is a sales pitch that should sound like the blurb you'd want to appear on the back cover. As for the bio, give relevant information only, such as past publications and any special expertise that qualifies you to write this story.
• Personalize each query. Name the agent in the salutation. Mention books that the agent has sold which are similar to yours. Tell the agent why you chose him.
• Share information about your book's characters, plot, and themes. Explain the action of your story in terms of who the main characters are, what they want, and what's keeping them from getting it. Don't be afraid to reveal spoilers (but the ending can wait for the synopsis).
• Sound humble without being self-deprecating.
• Sound confident without being arrogant.
• Set the proper tone. The query letter should convey your writing style. It shouldn't be dry, stilted, and excessively formal. Neither should it suggest undue familiarity. Use your narrative voice in a professional manner.
• An agent's time is valuable. Thank him in the closing.

Again, Agent Query has more detailed guidelines.

Agent Kristin Nelson shares and analyzes a successful fantasy novel query letter.

Of course, there's lots more to know about finding an agent. Feel free to ask me for specifics. If I don't know, I'll do my best to find someone who does.

In the meantime, I leave you with this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c9fc-crEFDw