Before you try an agent, there are essential tasks to do first. Agent Jill Marsal discusses tips on how to get a literary agent to help you reach your book publishing goals. First, identify the agents who work with your book's genre. This will help...

As a traditionally published author, Jo Furniss experienced the challenging process of querying literary agents. Furniss sees the query letter as a critically important first impression and highly recommends doing thorough research before you even begin...

Finding an agent is hard work, and it isn’t uncommon for an author’s query to end up in the slush pile. There are ways, though, that authors set themselves apart so that their letters lead to a full manuscript request. Eventually, the right query letter...

Once you have a shiny piece of work (novel, self-help book, article, etc.), you are ready to seek representation or a publisher. A query letter serves as an introduction letter to agents and publishers. This letter has three specific objectives. 1...

Literary agents don’t have time to read every manuscript sent their way. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. So how do they find the next great novel or universally loved memoir? Enter the query letter. Next to your manuscript, the query letter...

Author and technical writer Neil V. Young compares the search for an editor or agent to the process of job searching. Your writing sample or manuscript is like a resume, and the query letter is like a cover letter. If you have received any awards or...

Literary agent BJ Robbins explains how to write a query letter that will actually land a literary agent. For instance, take the time to find the agent's name and personalize the letter for their agency. Then, describe your book in a concise and appealing...

Literary agent BJ Robbins explains how to write a query letter that will actually land a literary agent. For instance, take the time to find the agent's name and personalize the letter for their agency. Then, describe your book in a concise and appealing...

"Writers are notorious for not being able to describe their own work." Literary agent Charlotte Gusay points this out in a telling interview where she reveals what she and her team look for when they're reading query letters from prospective authors...

"Writers are notorious for not being able to describe their own work." Literary agent Charlotte Gusay points this out in a telling interview where she reveals what she and her team look for when they're reading query letters from prospective authors...