Navigating the Query Process for Literary Agents

[gibson2]

I am currently in the process of querying literary agents for my manuscript and would love to get some insight from the community. Any tips or examples of successful query letters would be greatly appreciated. I want to make sure my query stands out from the crowd while still remaining professional and engaging. Thank you in advance for your advice!

[brewerunsuitable]

Address the agent by name and mention why you chose to query them specifically. Reference any of their recent works or interests that align with your manuscript.

[finnbentley]

Include a short paragraph about yourself, highlighting relevant writing credentials or experiences.

[ShanonHeller]

When writing any letter to make it attractive and unique, you should write the first few sentences really well because this will be the deciding factor whether to continue reading or not.

[HunterCaldwell]

Always personalize your query letter to the agent. Mention why you’re querying that specific agent—whether it’s because they represent a particular genre, author, or your specific work aligns with their interests! Good luck with your querying process

[mariadpennington]

I think you should make sure you follow the specific submission guidelines provided by your agent, including formatting and any required documentation.

[monththis]

Keep your letter to one page. Agents receive many queries, so being clear and concise is essential.

[jampad]

Here are a few tips for you to follow:
- Be clear about genre: Be specific — for example, “adult thriller” or “young adult fantasy with romance elements.”
- Comparison titles: Include 1–2 carefully selected comparison titles published within the last 3–5 years to position your book.
- Format: Keep it clean — no bold, fancy fonts or embedded images. Just plain text unless otherwise specified.