Seeking a Literary Agent Diaries Chapter 1: Preparing to Query

It’s been some time since I wrote the prologue to this series following my search for a literary agent for my YA fantasy manuscript.

In this first actual chapter, I want to discuss the steps I’ve taken as I prepare to begin my querying journey likely next month (May 2025). It’s kind of wild to think that what started as a mere idea on August 1, 2023 is now ready, almost 2 years later, to submit to agents. How far my little story and I have come. Yet how far we still have to go.

Now, as I outline my steps, I want to make something clear: I am NOT claiming this is solid advice that will bag you a literary agent. I am merely reporting to you my personal journey. Hopefully, you can learn something helpful from this blog, but I’m as fresh on this journey as you are, dear reader. I’m no expert, just a girl with a dream who wrote a book.

 

STEP 1: SIGN UP FOR QUERY TRACKER

It’s important to note that if you want full access to all this website has to offer, you have to get a subscription which costs $25 a year. I think this is a more than fair price, but I know it may not be feasible for everyone. This is a great tool to find agents, but I’ve also found them via googling literary agents seeking YA or on agency websites, so you can certainly find agents for free.

Since I’m still at the beginning of this whole query process, there are still lots of parts of the Query Tracker website I haven’t explored. What I can say is that, so far, it’s been very easy to navigate. It can help you find agents and give you a lot of information about the agents – including their average response time, the format they want queries submitted in, and authors they already rep, among other useful information. It can also help you keep track of which agents you’ve submitted to and any replies you receive.

I don’t recommend you limit your agent research to Query Tracker alone. I personally also visit their agency’s website and look to see if the agents have a profile on the My Manuscript Wishlist website, as this will give you a better idea on if they’re actually a good fit for your manuscript.

 

STEP 2: WRITE MY QUERY LETTER AND SUMMARY

A query letter is the first thing an agent is going to read. It’s basically an introduction to your novel and a little bit about yourself. After doing research, this is the format I’ve chosen for my personal query letter:

            Dear (insert agent’s name),

            I found you through (insert relevant info – for ex. an author you rep. I’ve read). I feel my manuscript would be a good fit based on your interest in (insert relevant info – what do they want that fits my specific manuscript).

            I am seeking representation for my (insert my manuscript’s word count) (insert my manuscript’s genre) novel, (insert my manuscript’s title in CAPS).

            (Insert a one sentence hook). (Insert a brief overview of the novel’s plot along with its tropes).

            (Several paragraphs summarizing my manuscript – introducing the protagonist, the inciting incidence, stakes, and other important characters. Don’t spoil the ending here, but leave enough for the agent to be enticed).

            (Insert a sentence about what inspired the manuscript). (insert modern books that are comparable titles to mine).

            (Insert a brief biography of myself). SIDE NOTE: This part stressed me out as I have no prior publications or qualifications outside of a longtime love of writing. I reassured myself that they are reading this after the info about my manuscript which is more important than me. After all, I’m not selling myself, I’m selling my manuscript. I ended up including my day job and a mention of my blog).

            (Finish up by telling them if this is a standalone or the first in a planned series). Thank you for their consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

            Sincerely,

            Haley Lynn Thomas

In terms of my synopsis, after doing some research I learned it should be between 500-1000 words. It’s similar to a query letter except more extensive – here you’re going to mention all the major plot points and characters. You’re also going to spoil the ending. Unlike the query letter, you don’t need to list your comparable titles, biography, or any of that). This is simply a summary of your manuscript.

Here are the main resources I used when writing my query letter and summary:

Synopsis Vs. Query Letter: https://query-letter.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter/query-letter-vs-synopsis/

Blurbs, Queries, and Synopses: https://morganhazelwood.com/2020/01/23/the-difference-between-blurbs-queries-and-synopses/

How to Write an Effective Query Letter and Synopsis: https://www.shortcutsforwriters.com/how-to-write-an-effective-query-letter-and-synopsis-for-your-book/

Lauren Kay’s YouTube Video About How to Write a Query Letter (Includes a link to a Query Letter Toolkit):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZd75Pfir3s

 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Summary: https://www.proofreadingservices.com/pages/7-book-synopsis-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them

 

STEP 3: MAKE A MANAGABLE AGENT LIST When doing agent research and sending out my first batch of queries, I have decided that 15 is a manageable number for me. Obviously, your number may be bigger or smaller. 15 isn’t some magical number, just the one that felt right for me.

I plan to use a combination of Query Tracker along with a physical journal to keep track of which agents I submit to and when I submit – as well as if/when I get a response either positive or negative. I personally want to keep a physical journal as well as it will be good for taking notes on the agents. I also think it will just be kind of gratifying to look back on it once I have my agent. That way, I never forget the journey I went through – and how hard I worked - to make my dream come true.

To ensure I don’t send the wrong query to the wrong agent, I plan to save different versions of my query letters with each one already personalized. I intend to put them all in a folder on my laptop labeled QUERY LETTERS. This way, it will be easy to find and I’ll be a lot less likely to mix up my letters. Keeping organized is going to be key while querying.

 

STEP 4: WRITING A LETTER TO MYSELF

Being an author is my lifelong dream, and I believe in my manuscript. However, I am human and I know it’s inevitable that I get discouraged when rejections come in or when I never hear back from an agent. In this letter to myself, I gave myself a little pep talk that I can return to whenever I feel like giving up. It will also serve to remind myself that I am doing this for myself, but more importantly I am doing it for the young version of me who was so confident that she’d see her book on shelves one day. I am going to make that a reality for both of us.

 

STEP 5: KEEP WRITING

I won’t lie to you, I’ve already had one breakdown about this whole query process. It all feels so clinical and soul sucking, and I’ve put pressure on myself to make everything as perfect as it can be. A few weeks ago, I cried to my mom about how it was making me forget why I wanted to be a writer to begin with.

So, while I engage in this querying process, I am going to start writing the sequel to my manuscript. As soon as I started writing again I felt like I came back alive. I remembered exactly why I love writing – it’s where my soul feels most whole. Writing while querying will provide a good distraction while also serving as a healing balm for rejections.

 

Well, that’s all for now. Again, this is just the steps I am taking to prepare to query. If you found any of this helpful then that is wonderful and I’m so happy I could do that for you. If you’re just here to feel you’re not alone in this process, then feel free to message me! I believe in myself – and I believe in you, too, current reader and future author!

 

Until next time,

 

Haley Lynn Thomas