How to Find the Literary Agent That’s Right for You

Introduction

Every author dreams of the moment: the phone rings, or an email pops up, and it’s an agent who understands your goals, matches your voice, and believes in your work. Cue the triumphant music, the slow-motion montage, and maybe even a little happy dance. But finding that agent is often more complicated than it seems. 

If you’re navigating this journey, keep reading for some practical steps and tips to help you find a literary agent who’s a perfect fit for both your book and your long-term career.

“Agents are essential, because publishers will not read unsolicited manuscripts.” — Jackie Collins

Prerequisite – What Does a Literary Agent Actually Do?

A literary agent is more than just a middleperson between you and a publisher. Their role is to guide your career, connect your work with editors, and negotiate the best possible deals for your books. But not all agents work the same way, which is why knowing their role is so important before you start looking. Typically, agents:

• Pitch your manuscript to publishers who are the right fit for your work

• Negotiate contracts to make sure you get fair advances, royalties, and rights agreements

• Advocate for your career by helping shape long-term goals, not just a single book deal

• Explore opportunities to expand your work such as film/TV, audiobooks, or foreign translations

The key takeaway is that an agent doesn’t just sell your book. Rather, think of it as a long-term partnership with someone who guides your career, advocates for your work, and helps you navigate the ever-changing world of publishing.

“A great agent is an author’s business manager, mentor, and cheerleader.” — Jane Friedman 

Warm Up – Defining Your Agent Profile

Before you begin your search, it’s important to take the time to figure out your needs and understand where your work belongs in the literary world. So grab a notebook or open a document, and divide the page into the following columns: 

• Genre – What category or market does your book fall into? (Fantasy, romance, memoir, middle grade, etc.)

• Editorial Approach – Do you want an agent who gives detailed feedback on your manuscript, or one who’s more hands-off and focuses mainly on submissions and contracts?

• Career Goals – Are you looking for someone who will champion you long-term, help shape your author brand, and represent multiple projects, or just the book at hand?

• Rights & Opportunities – Beyond books, are you interested in film/TV, translation, or audiobooks? Not every agent has experience in these areas, so this can be a deciding factor.

Now, write down your non-negotiables for each column. For example: “must be open to diverse or LGBTQ+ voices” or “must have experience with international rights”. Then add in your preferences. These are things you’d love to have but aren’t necessarily deal-breakers. Think about whether you want an agent who’s more editorial, or one who focuses more on contracts and sales. 

Finally, rank your priorities. Label what matters most to you (1 = essential, 2 = nice to have, 3 = optional). That way, by the end of this warm-up, you’ll have a personalized “agent wish list” that makes your search much more focused and strategic! 

Finding the Right Literary Agent

1. Channel Your Inner Detective

Now comes the actual research. You’ll want to know not just who represents your genre, but who’s actively (and successfully) selling books like yours. Tools like QueryTracker and Publisher’s Marketplace are great places to start. Make sure to pay attention to the agent’s reputation in the publishing industry, how well their interests align with your project, and how recently they’ve made sales. 

Social media can also give you a peek at an agent’s personality and interests. On these platforms, many agents share insights that give you a sense of their personality, tastes, and current interests.

And most importantly, follow their submission guidelines! Each agency publishes specific instructions on how they want submissions sent, what materials they expect, and what they do not accept. If an agent asks for ten pages and you send a hundred, you’ve likely just gotten your work rejected. So make sure to match their guidelines exactly, including formatting, page count, and requested materials.

2. Build a Shortlist

Once you’ve researched, you’ll probably have an incredibly long list. So it’s time to cut it down. Aim for about ten to twenty-five agents; that way, there are enough to give you options without overwhelming you. Then, organize them into categories: your dream picks, solid fits, and “why-nots”.

If you’re a spreadsheet nerd, color-coding responses can be an excellent way to visualize everything! You’ll want to track who you queried, when, and what the response was. Staying organized here will save you from accidentally sending the same email twice. QueryTracker also has a free version that helps you organize your list. The point is, there’s many different ways to stay on top of things. Here are some examples of different trackers:

Source: https://subitclub.com/2018/03/06/submissions-101-tracking-queries/

Source:https://janefriedman.com/how-to-take-the-sting-out-of-query-rejections/

Source: https://writersrumpus.com/2019/07/19/stay-organized-with-query-tracker/

3. Craft a Strong Pitch

Arguably the most important part, your query letter or submission packet is your first and sometimes only chance to make a good impression. Therefore, crafting a strong, professional pitch is essential. Here’s a couple of tips:

• Open with a compelling hook. Make sure it captures the essence and appeal of your story. This is what makes an agent want to read more.

• Then, summarize your manuscript clearly, including genre, word count, and a concise description of the plot or main argument. Avoid vague language and focus on what makes your book special.

• Mention your relevant credentials. Only include author credentials or publishing history that directly supports your project or shows your professionalism. For example, if you’ve published articles in literary magazines or won writing awards, mention those briefly.

• Don’t forget to personalize! This is where all your research comes in handy. Reference something specific about the agent you’re querying. Mention a recent sale, a blog post they wrote, or something about their interests that connects to your work. 

Still stuck? Read our blog post on writing the query letter!

4. Get Feedback Before Submitting

Before you send your query and sample pages, get fresh eyes on your materials. Peer reviewing can be very helpful, so join critique groups or writing communities to get constructive feedback. If possible, consider hiring a freelance editor for a query letter or manuscript critique. This investment can significantly improve the professionalism and polish of your submission. Then, use the feedback you receive to revise your materials. Fix any grammar and punctuation errors, clarify confusing points, and ensure that your voice shines through clearly.

5. Brace yourself for Rejection

Even the best query letters get rejections. Sometimes, even dozens of them. This isn’t a reflection of your talent; it’s part of the process. Every successful author has been here before. Some rejections are from letters. Others include notes. If you’re lucky enough to get feedback, take it seriously and use it to refine your manuscript or pitch. And if you don’t? Keep going! Persistence is half the game.

6. Evaluate your Offers Carefully

One day, the email will come: an offer of representation. Your pulse races. You want to say yes before they change their mind. But pause. Breathe. This is a partnership, and you need to be sure it’s the right one.

Ask about their client list. Their submission process. How often they communicate. Read the contract carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The right agent definitely won’t mind, so take time to ensure you’re building a partnership that will support your career for years to come.

“You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.” — Ray Bradbury

That’s a Wrap!

Finding the right literary agent isn’t about querying everyone with an email address. It’s about knowing what you need, researching carefully, and building a relationship that lasts beyond just one book. The journey can be long. It can be frustrating. But when you find the right agent, it’s absolutely worth it. 

So take a deep breath, polish that query, and send your manuscript into the world. May your ideal agent be somewhere out there, waiting for you with the enthusiasm your work deserves!

Resources

QueryTracker – A free tool that helps writers find agents and track submissions.

Publisher’s Marketplace – A subscription-based database where you can research agents’ recent sales, client lists, and specialties.

Poets & Writers – Literary Agents Database – A free, searchable directory of literary agents that includes bios, genres of interest, and submission guidelines.

How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book | Jane Friedman – Publishing expert Jane Friedman explains what agents do, how to approach them, and what authors should prepare before querying.

Here's How to Find a Literary Agent | NY Book Editors – This article breaks down the process of finding and approaching agents, and includes tips on researching, querying, and building strong author-agent relationships.