How to Make Sure Your Query is Read by an Agent

I’ve had two novels published and feel confident in my querying abilities. I’ve had success with small publishers, but not agents; I’ve had a handful of agents request full manuscripts, which is always a wonderful feeling. When they neglected to offer a contract, I knew my manuscript needed polishing, but that my query was solid. To make doubly certain, I did some internet research (glorified Googling, really) and stumbled across this article on Writer’s Digest from 2017. Though it’s not exactly current, the guidelines provided by Meg LaTorre are on the money.

Ten Tips to a Terrific Query

As a literary intern at the Corvisiero Literary Agency (and one of the slush pile readers), I have found that many writers often make the same mistakes in their submissions—ones that cost them requests for additional pages or earn them an automatic rejection.

Author Meg LaTorre

According to Meg LaTorre, these are ten ways to make sure your query makes it out of the slush pile with a fighting chance:

Write a formal email subject line.
I have to be honest: I’m guilty of breaking this guideline. LaTorre explains, “Each agency typically has a format for the subject line that they prefer (make sure to check out each individual agency’s submission guidelines on their website to see what those are). However, if there are no specified guidelines, here is one option for a standard subject line:
Query: [MANUSCRIPT TITLE], [genre] (Attn: [name of agent]).” I appreciate that LaTorre is emphasizing how queries need to be professional even if they’re sitting in an inbox. It’s important that every single part of the query letter is as polished as possible. Agents have so much to read (hence the need for interns) and they’re always working to make the pile smaller. The MA program in Limerick also highlighted that truth, and that’s helped inform my decisions regarding query letters.
Address the query to a specific agent. (And spell the agent’s name correctly.)
The reason for this guideline is explained by the next guideline; specific writing is always stronger than vague writing, and I believe the same is true for intentions. If you’re looking to be published, or accomplish another kind of goal altogether, then a narrow and focused path is always best. LaTorre writes, “As in any other part of life, showing you took the time to personalize your inquiry makes you stand out…” She also adds, “Last, but certainly not least, don’t address your query to an intern at an agency. Only submit queries to agents and agent apprentices (and only one person per agency).“
Check if that agent represents manuscripts in your age group and genre.
Follow the submission guidelines.
Honestly, I believe this should be the first guideline as it really encompasses the first three. You can basically find out everything you know from the submission guidelines. Specifically, LaTorre recommends:
– Check out the general submissions page on the website and see what is being asked for (query, number of sample pages, synopsis, attachments, no attachments, and so on)
– Next, find the bio of the specific agent you want to submit to. If the agent has specific submission guidelines, follow those. If they don’t, go with the general submissions guidelines.
Eliminate all spelling and grammatical errors in your query.
List your genre, age group, and word count in your query.
Craft a story snippet that reveals the stakes for both your character and the world.
This guideline really depends on the specific submission guidelines of the agency. I’ve only every given a brief synopsis (no more than two paragraphs). However, I do include the same elements LaTorre advises writers to include: Who the protagonist is and what his/her desires are; the protagonist’s personal stakes; who the antagonist is; what’s at stake for the world at large (what’s the larger picture)
Include a (brief) bio at the end of your query that includes your writing credentials and why you’re the best person to tell this story.
This is typically the last paragraph of the query letter. According to LaTorre, you also want to mention: “…that you’re a credible writer—which is where you’d mention if/where you’ve been published, if you’ve received special recognition for your writing, if you’re a part of any writing societies, and things of that nature.“
Include your full name (and pen name, if you have one), email, website, and Twitter handle in your signature. (No mailing address or phone number necessary.)
Be a nice person on social media (and in the query too, of course).
I feel like this bit is only becoming more and more important with time. With “cancel culture,” it’s always beneficial to have a clean record on social media.

I hope these guidelines proved useful. Also, Meg LaTorre runs iWriterly. “​iWriterly ​is a writing and book publishing resource for genre fiction with videos about writing and editing novels, traditional publishing and self-publishing, author interviews, and literary agent first-page critique videos focused on romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. The iWriterly YouTube channel is hosted by Meg LaTorre.” It’s an excellent resource for any writer hoping to get published, as I hope this blog is too.

Keep me updated on your publishing journey! Comment and let me know where you’re currently at in the process

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