How to Do Literary Agent Research
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
If you’re an aspiring writer, you’ve likely been hard at work on your manuscript, polishing and revising it and getting writing feedback and revising some more … until it shines. The next step on your publishing journey to becoming an author is to find a literary agent to represent your work to major publishing houses. But how do you go about this seemingly daunting task? As a former agent myself, I’m here to guide you through the literary agent research process, step by step.
How to Conduct Literary Agent Research
First and foremost, make sure you're ready to begin your search for a literary agent. Your manuscript should be polished to perfection and ready for submission. You might be wondering, “When is a manuscript done?” But a lot of writers do. My rubric is that you should have writing feedback from a professional editor or critique partner and have revised beyond those writing notes before you go out on sub. Next, research potential literary agent targets. Start by compiling a list of literary agents who represent your genre, using a resource like Publishers Marketplace or QueryTracker. Look for agents who have a track record of success with authors whose voices and themes https://goodstoryediting.com/book-themes resemble your own.
Now it's time to learn each individual agent's submission guidelines. Each agent will have their own set of specific requirements for what they want to see. Some may only accept queries via email, while others prefer to use a submission form. Pay close attention to each agent's guidelines and follow them to the letter. Failure to do so could result in your submission being rejected before it's even read.
Another important resource in your literary agent research is Manuscript Wish List. This website is a treasure trove of information on what literary agents are looking for in manuscript submissions. Spend some time browsing the site to familiarize yourself with the types of books that are gaining traction in your genre, and adjust your query letter accordingly, especially when it comes to individual query letter personalization.
In addition to Manuscript Wish List, social media can be a powerful tool in doing literary agent research. Many agents have active Twitter/X accounts where they often share details about what they're currently looking for in submissions. Follow agents who represent your genre and engage with them to build relationships, or simply to learn more about their tastes.
Take Time with Literary Agent Research
Finally, when your literary agent research has identified a literary agent who might be a good fit for your work, take the time to angle your submission directly to them. Research the agent's professional background and previous clients to get a sense of their tastes and interests. If you can demonstrate that you've done your homework and understand what makes each literary agent unique, you'll stand out from the countless other aspiring writers in their personal slush pile.
Finding a literary agent is a difficult and highly competitive process, but it's a necessary step if you want to target major publishing houses with your manuscript. By researching potential targets, learning each agent's submission guidelines, utilizing resources like Manuscript Wish List, Publishers Marketplace, and social media, and personalizing your submission, you'll be well on your way to finding the right literary agent to represent your work. Remember, writing rejection is a normal part of the process, so don't be discouraged if it takes a while to find the right match. Keep honing your craft, stay persistent, and don't give up on your dream of becoming a published author.
Click here to purchase Irresistible Query Letters, my book on query letters, including over forty examples with comprehensive notes on each one. There’s a ton of submission advice, best practices, and insider information in these pages, and you’ll really enjoy seeing what other writers are doing in the slush.