Last week we discussed writing query letters, and now I want to turn our attention to submitting them. There are several strategies for how to query agents, but I’ve found one method seems to be favored above the rest. While you are welcome to submit letters one at a time or all at once, you will most likely query a plethora of agents and it can be hard to keep track of them all. Below is the strategy I suggest for submitting your manuscript.
Create Submission Levels
I’ve already covered research tips for finding agents, and now is the time to pull out the list you have compiled. You should divide your agent list into two levels. One will be your top-tier, the A-listers. These are the agents that you’d want to represent you if you could pick from anyone. Then you will make your B-list. These are the ones that would fit great with you and maybe be more realistic in accepting your manuscript. They may be the newer agents who don’t have a full list and also might not have a lot of credentials yet. Once you have your agents all separated into two levels, you’re ready to submit.
Submit
I’ve heard the best way to query agents is in rounds. Pick 10 agents from your B-list, and send out those 10 query letters. Then wait 2-4 weeks. (I suggest not querying your A-list until you have confirmation your query is working well.) After that time, see what kind of feedback you have and make adjustments, if needed. Then send out 10 more queries and wait 2-4 weeks. If by the end of that time you’ve only received form rejections, something is wrong with the query letter. Try adjusting the wording and getting feedback from others on how to improve. Just be aware, it could also be that you are sending to the wrong agents or that the novel concept is simply not marketable right now.
If you get some responses wanting to look at a partial manuscript, send it. Then send out more query letters (since this is confirmation your query letter is working well). If no one asks for a full manuscript after reading the partial, there is something off about your opening pages. Revise and query more. However, if agents request the whole manuscript, you have a good opening.
Revise
If you get full manuscript requests and no offers of representation, then something may be off about the book. Try revising and submitting more queries. If you received some feedback with your rejections, consider what they said. If an agent took time to give you personal feedback, that means you are close to what they are looking for and you need to take what they say seriously. Review their comments, take them to heart, and then make your book better.
Submit
Now’s the time to submit again. Even if there are still unanswered query letters out there, send another round of letters. Again, 10 queries and wait a few weeks. Continue this process until your agent list is exhausted or you have an offer. If you are getting lots of full requests, I’d suggest getting queries out to all your A-list agents since your story is clearly getting a lot of good interest.
Requests
If you have your full manuscript with an agent and another one reaches out asking for it, you can send the manuscript to the second agent. No need to tell them other agents are reading the full manuscript. However, if an agent gives you an offer of representation, reach out to any agent with a currently open query from you. In the subject line put Offer Received, and then write a short message asking if they are interested in the story. Do not say who has offered to represent you. Just let them know someone else is interested. It gives agents a chance to give a counteroffer, and a little competition might increase your options.
Final Thoughts
The querying process is long and hard. You need to have patience, thick-skin, and a good attitude. You will be rejected, but you can also get offers. It’s hard to put yourself out there, but it must be done if you want to be published traditionally. If you go through all of this and don’t get a positive response, you can search for more agents to submit to or write another book to send out. The way to success is paved with failures. Don’t let it discourage you. If this is what you want to do, a way will present itself.
Thanks for reading!
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