Creating Your Query List
Greetings and salutations Scribblers!
Today we’re chatting about building your query list. Writing and revising your manuscript is just the start of your journey for traditional publication. You’re going to have to find an agent to shop your manuscript to publishers. This is a big step and putting together a solid query list is as important as polishing up your manuscript or writing a banger of a query letter. The common wisdom of choosing an agent is that it’s better to have no agent than a bad agent. But how do you find the good agents? That’s what we’re going to focus on today. We’ll talk about some great resources as well as how to do a bit of lateral research to ensure you have the right people on your list.
Let’s start with where to find agents. The first place I suggest you look is in the acknowledgments of novels that you love. This is a great jumping off point. You’ll want those books to be in the same age range and genre as your manuscript, but take a minute and read through them. This can give you a lot of insight into an agent’s taste and the style of writing they’re looking for because they chose to represent this book. Make a list of agents to look up.
This is a free resource where you can search for agents using criteria that matches your manuscript. Looking for agents who represent adult thrillers, just click the boxes and voila! You have a list. You can go through the list and read the specific wish lists of agents to help narrow down your choices. It’s important to note that just because your manuscript fits their wish list to a T doesn’t mean they’re going to fall in love with project. I think every author has sent a query thinking “oh my gosh, this is perfect, there’s no way they could pass on my manuscript, it checks every box on their wish list!” —only to indeed get a pass on that manuscript. The inverse is also true and many agents will add a “sometimes I don’t know what I like until I see it! So surprise me!” Manuscript Wish List often gives a more detailed description of what an agent is looking for than their agency profile page.
Two caveats with Manuscript Wish List. One is that not all agents are on there. Many are, but you’re going to miss some if you don’t cross reference with other resources like Query Tracker. Secondly, some of the author pages aren’t up to date, so always be sure to visit the agency website and review not only the submission requirements, but whether that agent is currently open to queries.
QueryTracker has a basic free version and a paid version that allows for advanced tracking and data capabilities. Much Like Manuscript Wish List, it allows you to search for agents who represent a specific genre or age range. Your search criteria returns a very neat list you can pull from to create you own “want to query list.” So now you have this really nice organized list of all the agents you’re considering. Once you start sending those queries, it will keep track of when you sent it, how you sent it, and what the response was. It’s a really nice way to keep track of everything with a minimal amount of effort. QueryTracker is also directly attached to Query Manager, so anytime you send a query using a query manager form, it automatically records it for you in query tracker as long as you’re signed in.
One of the things I really like about this system is helps keep track of who you’ve queried so you don’t accidentally double query someone or query two agents at the same agency at the same time. Most agencies request you only send a query to one agent at the agency at a time, so QueryTracker really helps keep all that information straight.
QueryTracker does a great job of keeping up to date as far as who is open or closed to queries or when agents leave or move to a new agency. There’s also this cool tab where you can look at comments left by other writers that tell their experience as far as what they queried, the timeline, and the nature of the pass/request. This can be a nice tool to see how others are fairing or get a sense for the agent's communication style. When you click on an agent’s name in query tracker, it also gives you this amazing centralized list of links to their agency site, social medias, Manuscript Wish List, Publishers Marketplace, Google Books, and the Association of American Literary Agents if they’re a member.
When I first started making my query lists, I started with Manuscript Wish List. Now that I’m more familiar with the process I tend to start with QueryTracker and then use the links to get more information.
is our third resource. This site does require paid access, although I’d say about half of the links from QueryTracker to specific agent pages are still accessible. Sometimes I click on one and it says “paid access only.” Regardless, Publisher’s Marketplace offers a glimpse at who the agent represents and lists out any recent deals. This information is nice to see because you want an agent that is making deals and has an active client list–it’s an indication they’re out there in the current market.
This is an absolute must visit site for querying authors. It’s a free resource where you can search for names of agents or agencies as well as some small presses. If an agent or agency is listed on this site, consider it a HUGE RED FLAG. The website creator offers accounts from authors who have worked with these people to help prevent others from falling into their clutches. People and companies can always change, but remember this is about your career, so don’t settle. You and your stories are worth being treated well!
Lateral Reading
Once you have your list of agents, take some time and do a bit more research on them and their agencies. You might find interviews that agent has done you could listen to or some of them teach classes on writing or offer consults. Many do this through Manuscript Academy which is a great way to meet an agent before your query and work on refining your pitch or part of you query package. So type that person’s name or the agency name into Google and see what comes up. It can give you some really great insight into who they are and if you think you would work well with them.
It's important to remember that the agent/author relationship is a work relationship. They are handling the administrative side of your career. Yes, you can have a great relationship with them, but in the end, always be cautious about being their friend. Not because they aren’t totally awesome people, but because very very few of us are good at managing a friendship with someone who is also working for us. Just something to keep in mind as you start your querying journey!
As always, your mileage may vary! Take what helps and leave what doesn't! Tell us about your favorite methods for developing your query list in the comments!
