How to Attract an Agent—in a Good Way

© 2023 Linda Glaz

So let’s dig in and see what and how you can do things in order to get an agent’s attention—the good kind, not the kind that sends the agent running in the other direction.

First and foremost, agents love when prospective clients present themselves in a professional manner. What might that entail? I’m glad you asked.

  • Research the agency ahead of time.
  • Know exactly what the agency does and does not handle.
  • Read what they want for you to send, nothing more, nothing less.

If they want a query letter only, then make it count! Set it up like a traditional letter. Then what I love to see centered just above the greeting is a tagline (pitch or elevator pitch) that will wow me into wanting to read the rest of the letter. Fifteen to thirty words that sum up, hook me, draw me in to your project. Then, you can divide your letter into four paragraphs.

  • In paragraph one, introduce yourself. Tell them a bit about you and why you’ve written this work.
  • In paragraph two, tell the agent about the book, include genre and word count. Include a short, but solid jacket blurb.
  • In paragraph three, tell them how and why you are qualified to help a publisher market the work. Is your platform huge? Does it reach the demographic?
  • In paragraph four, let the agent know you’d love to hear from them as soon as convenient and that you will follow up with them in about a month.

Your entire letter should be approximately one page.

If they want a full proposal, again, check their site and they will generally outline what they want to see. If they don’t have a proposal outline for you, here are the basics: cover letter, bio, synopsis (for fiction and include a chapter outline for nonfiction), comparable books, target audience, marketing strategies (platform), and three sample chapters (first three for fiction, first and choice of two for nonfiction). You can also include felt need, reader takeaway, and any other pertinent information. Send all of this in one Word document, Times New Roman 12 pt, font with 1” margins all around.

If a full manuscript is requested, send it in one Word doc as above.

If you follow these instructions, you will hopefully tell that agent you understand the industry, you care about introducing yourself correctly, and that you are willing to put in the time to contact them in a professional manner. And, yes, you will stand out! In a good way.
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Linda Glaz has worked in the industry for the last twenty years as a reviewer, proofreader, associate agent, full-time agent, and finally, owning her own agency. She speaks and teaches nationally and loves meeting new writers. She works with well-known authors, established authors, emerging authors, struggling authors, and wannabe authors. And she enjoys all of them just the same. In her spare time, she loves theater, soccer, her amazing family, and it goes without saying: BOOKS!