Things to do before You Query

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Writing and publishing are a business, and you need to do some research before you send out queries to agents and publishers. Here are some things you may want to consider.

Agents

  • Is this agent accepting queries at this time? If not, it will be a quick “no.”

  • Does the agent represent your genre?

  • What has the agent sold recently in your genre?

  • If there is more than one agent at the firm accepting queries, did you look to see who closely matches your project?

  • Did you follow all the submission requirements and instructions? Don’t get eliminated on a technicality.

Publishers

  • Does this firm accept unagented queries?

  • Did you follow all the submission instructions?

  • Does this firm publish your genre?

  • Does this firm already have a book that is similar to yours? They may not want another one.

  • How many books do they publish a year?

  • Does your manuscript meet the word count and other genre standards?

  • Have you talked to anyone published here for a recommendation?

Sometimes, you only get one shot with an agent or publisher. Make sure you’ve done all you can to make your query and your manuscript the best it can be.