It’s taken years, but you did it. You’ve finished your first novel.  Congratulations on your incredible accomplishment. Now comes the hard part: finding an agent who can sell your masterpiece to a publisher.  Here are a few pointers to help you get started.

Do Your Research
Like lawyers and doctors, most agents specialize.  You should look for an agent who sells your type of book, i.e., romance, literary fiction, mystery, science fiction, etc.   You can find the names of agents on the Internet (do a Google search for “literary agents”) and in literary resource books such as Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents.  Most writers thank their agents in the acknowledgement section of their books.  Read the acknowledgements of books similar to yours to find out who represented the author.  Joining organizations like Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America are also a great way to meet agents.  These groups host events specifically aimed at putting their members in contact with agents.  There are also many writing conferences across the country where you can actually pitch your novel to multiple agents.

Write a Snappy Query Letter
Your query letter should grab the agent’s attention and convince her that you’ve got the next best-seller.  The fact that you’ve written what you think is an intriguing mystery or titillating romance isn’t enough. What’s your hook?  What will make your book stand out from the crowd?

Your query letter should be no longer than one page and should describe your book, your writing experience, if any, and any other important credentials.  (The author’s credentials are more important for non-fiction books.)  Your query letter should also explain why there is a market for your book.  If your manuscript is finished, definitely say so.  Many agents aren’t willing to sign a client based on an idea.  Having a great concept for a book and a desire to write it isn’t enough. An agent wants to know that you can actually finish a book.

Make sure you include your address, telephone number and email address in your query letter.  Don’t forget to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Many agents now accept email queries.  If you send an email query, always include the query in the body of the email, unless the agent’s submission guidelines permit attachments.  Make sure your query letter is free of typos!

Prepare Your Sample Chapters
If an agent is intrigued by your query letter, s/he will ask to see some a few pages or chapters or perhaps your entire manuscript.  You should find out if the agent has specific submission guidelines by checking his website.  If the agent doesn’t have a website or specific submission guidelines, follow these basic rules:

• Your manuscript should be printed on 8 ½ X 11 inch paper, double-spaced, singled-sided using Courier or Times New Roman 12-point font.  Use one-inch margins on all sides.
• On the first page, type your name, address, email address, telephone number, and word count in the upper right-hand corner.  Type the name of your book in the center of the page with your name underneath.  On each subsequent page, type the title of the book, your last name and page number in the upper right hand corner. (Note:  Some agents may request this information in the upper left-hand corner.)  Start each chapter about 1/3 down the page.
• Do not staple or put the manuscript in a binder.  Mail it in box or large envelope.
• Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage to cover the return of your manuscript.
• Make sure your manuscript has no typos and contains your very best writing

A Word About Multiple Submissions
Many agents don’t accept multiple submissions.  This means that they don’t want you to submit your manuscript to more than one agent at a time.  They expect you to submit a query letter to them, then sit around twiddling your thumbs until they respond.  I don’t recommend doing this as some agents could take months to get back to you.  (One agent took more than six months to send me a rejection letter.)  You should state the following in your query letter:  “This is a multiple submission.  I’d be glad to offer you exclusivity for a reasonable period.”  That means you’ll agree not to send the manuscript to anyone else while the agent reviews it.  Two to four weeks is considered a reasonable period.

Other Helpful Information
Never . . .

• Include sample pages of your manuscript with your query letter unless the agent’s
• submission guidelines permit this.  Also don’t send more pages than requested.
• Print your manuscript on colored paper or use fancy font.  Stick to the basics, otherwise you’ll look like an amateur.
• Call or bug an agent who hasn’t responded.
•  Brood too long over a rejection letter.  Many best-selling authors have drawers full of rejection letters.  

New York Times Best-Selling author Nicholas Sparks (www.nicholassparks.com) has great information for new writers on his website, including a sample query letter and articles about his own path to success.  You should also check out Folio Literary Management (www.foliolit.com). The agency’s website offers helpful advice to writers who are looking for an agent.  You’ll find a sample query letter, information on formatting your manuscript, how to approach an agent and general information about the publishing industry.  

Finding an agent probably won’t happen overnight, but if do your homework the effort can and will pay off.
 

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