The Query Process

An Extremely Simple Explanation

1. Finish your manuscript.

2. Research agents (see Working with Agents page).

3. Write query letters (see below).

4. Send query letters.

5. Receive response.

   • Rejection: If you get several rejections, revise query before sending to more agents. If you get all rejections, write a new book and try again.

   • Request: Send your manuscript to agent.

6. Receive responses again.

   • Rejection: See above.

   • Offer: See below (and congrats!)

More About Query Process Basics

• Guide to Literary Agent Etiquette - author/former agent Nathan Bransford

• Query Letters series - author Janice Hardy

• What You Need Before You Query for fiction, nonfic, & memoir - agent Janet Reid

• Red Flags - BookEnds

• Don't Have Someone Else Send Your Query - agent Janet Reid

• Bad Query Paradox - agent Jennifer Laughran

Writing Query Letters

• How to Write a Query Letter - author/former agent Nathan Bransford

• The Query Letter Formula - Bransford

• The Definitive Guide to Writing a Query Letter - agent Rachelle Gardner

• One Right Way To Write a Query - agent Mary Kole

• Query Letter Checklist and Diagnostics- agent Janet Reid

• Query Letter Writing Process - author Elana Johnson

• The Single Best Query Advice I've Ever Heard - author Roni Loren

• Maybe the Problem is the Book, Not the Query - BookEnds

• Slush Pile Hell - anonymous snarking on bad queries

Examples of Real Queries

• Query Shark: Real queries, eviscerated on a semi-regular basis.

• Agent Kristin Nelson: Real queries from the Nelson Agency

• Query Letter Hell - Absolute Write forums (registration required; critiques available)

• Real queries and nonfiction proposals - agent/author Eric Smith

Writing a Synopsis

• How to Write a Synopsis - Bransford

• The Synopsis - BookEnds Literary

Query FAQs

• How do I format a query? - Bransford

• What do I put in the subject line? - Bransford

• Should I mention that I'm writing a series? - Bransford

• How do I personalize a query? - author Janice Hardy

• If I've won awards, should I mention them? - Pimp My Novel

• Is a query the same as a pitch? - agent Janet Reid

  • Building Your Pitch - QueryTracker

• My question isn't answered here!

  • Ask the Agent forum at Absolute Write

  • Ask the Agent - Jennifer Laughran

  • Check for #askagent or #amquerying events on Bluesky, X, Instagram, or other social media platforms

Responding to Requests

• How to respond to a partial request - Bransford

Revisions

• Revision Requests - Bransford

• Resubmissions and Requeries - BookEnds Literary

Exclusives

• Should I grant an agent an exclusive? - Bransford

• Should I grant an agent an exclusive? - former agent Meredith Barnes

Offers of Representation

• How to Handle an Offer - Bransford

• When You Get An Offer - agent Mary Kole

• You Have An Offer - agent Jessica Faust

• Getting The Call - agent Rachelle Gardner

• Getting Offers From Multiple Agents - Kole

• Beauty Contests - agent Jennifer Laughran

• After the Call series + interviews with many authors - author Caroline Richmond

How to Choose an Agent

• What To Ask An Agent - agent Rachelle Gardner

• What To Ask An Agent - me

• Questions to Ask Before Signing With an Agent - BookEnds Literary

• What You Should Know About Agency Agreements - agent Jennifer Laughran

• Newer vs Established Agents - agent Mary Kole

• Beware of Spaghetti Agents - Bransford

Rejections

• Parsing Rejections - Slushkiller

• See also “Revising and Critique”