How to Meet your Match: Knowing which Agents to Query

As you prepare your manuscript for querying you may have heard that unless an agent *loves* your manuscript, they will not offer representation. They have to be just as passionate about your work as you are. So how do you know which agents are most likely to *love* your work?

Since February is the month of love, I thought this would be a great topc. And what better place to talk about love than with pictures of Paris--the love capitol of the planet. Ooh, la la!

Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Maya Lundmark

Because the publishing industry is such a subjective field, approaching the right people is key. You could just send your query to every agent out there (which would be an utter waste of time) or you could do your homework and find out who is most likely to be interested in your work (and thus save yourself a measure of rejection.)

Louvre Museum, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Think about it. Say you join an online dating website. Imagine you spend some time putting together your dating profile and indicate that you enjoy going to the theatre, reading books, and are an avid figure skater. You also say you are looking for a male who also enjoys these things. How would you feel when you get a date request from a guy who likes to play online games, watch football, and eat pizza? Or a date request from a woman who also likes theater and books. Neither of those options are going to work for you, and you will probably delete their requests without reading further.

Rodin Museum, Paris, France, 2013 Photo by Erik Lundmark

So why would you send your adult sci-fi thriller to an agent who states she only reps children's literature? Or an agent who specifically says sci-fi is not her cup of tea? You're just asking for rejection. And you will get it.

Rooftop, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Take your time researching agents and getting to know them. At the very least spend as much time as you would expect them to spend reading your query and sample pages. But, really, more is better. And it's a process. It shouldn't necessarily be done in a day. When your book is completely done and ready to start querying is the wrong time to start looking at agents. Start now, while you're in revisions.

How do you research agents? It's easier than you may think.

Tuileries Gardens, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

One huge recommendation I would make is to sign up for a free account on Query Tracker. If you have no other place to start, at least you'll have a list of agents with links to their agency websites. Agency websites are so important. They generally have a brief description of what each agent is looking to represent. It will tell you what books they currently represent and submission guidelines for when you're ready to take the plunge.

Louvre Museum, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Remember that most agencies only allow you to query one agent at a time. Keeping this in mind, you can read about all the agents at a particular agency and choose which of them is most likely to be interested in your book. If they turn you down, you can submit to the next best agent. But remember, in some agencies a 'no' from one is a 'no' from all, so be sure to check agency guidelines and choose wisely.

Sainte Chapelle, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Agency websites are not the only place you can find out about agents. Most agents have a Twitter account you can follow. It's a great way to get an idea of an agent's personality, likes, dislikes, pet peeves, etc. You can tell a lot about an agent by what they post on Twitter. And, at appropriate times, you can even interact with them. Like their posts, read their blogs, send them a GIF if they're having a bad day. (Just DON'T ever use Twitter to pitch to an agent unless it's part of an organized contest.) 

Louvre Museum, Paris, France, 2013 Photo by Erik Lundmark

Agents often have personal blogs. Follow them. Read them. You can also search for interviews with agents. Amy Trueblood has a great resource on her website, Chasing the Crazies, called First Five Frenzy. She has posted interviews with agents on what they look for in a query. Writer's Digest posts information about new agents on their website under Guide to Literary Agents.  

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

You can always do a search for "interview with xxx agent" and see what turns up. The more you know about an agent, the easier it will be to know if they may be a good fit. And it will also give you some details you can bring up in your query to let the agent know you've done your homework and you are specifically choosing them.

Of course you can always meet them at a conference or get to know them in a Q&A session of an online conference. This may not be feasible for everyone, though.

Loves Lock on Pont de l'Archevêché, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

One last, favorite, way I have learned to find agents is to look at the author thank you page in books I have enjoyed reading. More than likely, their agent will be named. It's really helpful if you can mention in your query that you enjoyed a book they represent--especially if your book has the same target audience. It shows the agent you know your book's market.

Even if you are not ready to query, go ahead and start building a list of agents you think might make a match. You'll be surprised how many you can find who may be a match. And one day, you'll find just the right agent who is looking for the very thing you've got--and you can lock yourselves in agent-client bliss, and throw away the key . . . (well, maybe).

Seine River, Paris, France, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

*This post is one in a series: "So You Wrote a Book! Now What?" Click here to view more topics.*