Submitting to agents: Are you ready?
A process which is a marathon, not a sprint
When should you submit to an agent? This is a question I have struggled with when I was sending stuff out to agents. There can be a long wait until positive results come your way, but it’s a wait any writer who wants to be traditionally published needs to go through.
Get it to the best shape possible
The process though long cannot be rushed, it is a progression. Work on your manuscript to get it to the best quality possible, Revise, rewrite, redraft. Get someone else you trust (more than one person is great) to read it and give you critical and honest feedback. Do not send an uncompleted or unscrutinised manuscript to an agent before it goes through extensive editing. You have already shot yourself in the foot if you do this. It needs to be at the best level you can get it to before it even hits the agent’s inbox. When you do finally secure an agent, you may go through further edits before it even goes to an editor at a publishing house. Even then when it is acquired and you have the precious book deal, you will go through even more painstaking revisions before they publish it.
Finding agents:
There are many literary agencies in the UK and abroad. Many have their preferences in what they represent and what they want on their lists. Some want psychological thrillers; some want middle grade and some want historical fiction. Watch out for agencies that do not represent in specific genres, i.e. SFF or children. Agents have their personal leanings in the authors they want to represent, so do your research. Look at their agency websites, check their twitter accounts, read through interviews they have given, check which writers are already on their lists to get a thorough feel of the agent and their tastes. Here are some suggestions on how to find agents:
Writers & Artists Handbook – Comprehensive list of agencies in the UK
Googling literary agents/literary agencies UK – I did this and literally went through the list
Twitter- A vast majority of agents and agencies are on Twitter. Also use #MSWL hashtag to see when agents put out specific requests on submissions, they are looking for
Manuscript Wishlist- Manuscript Wish List is a website where agents and editor can put out listings for manuscripts, they are looking for
Pitching events- Twitter events where un-agented writers can pitch their work and agents and editors can like and make requests to see full manuscripts. Examples include: PitMad, SFFpit (Science Fiction and Fantasy only) DVpit (Marginalised communities only), RevPit and more
AgentMatch- A service available from Jericho Writers which provides a list of all agents in the UK and the USA across different genres and age groups
Google writers who you love or feel your work is in the same vein as, go to their websites or their books, you will be able to find who represents them
Get the submission right
When you submit your submission package to agents, the standard requirements are a query email/letter, one-page synopsis and the first three chapters. However, agencies' submission policies might slightly vary so check their website to get the right details. For the query letter and synopsis, there are many examples and guidance online to help you in crafting it. However, some tips include ensuring your first three chapters are super-sharp, use proper formatting, make sure it addresses the correct agent (do not use Dear Sir or Madam). If an agent is interested, they will ask for the full manuscript.
The waiting game
It is dreadful, it can be an unbearable period waiting to know if your baby got into any of your desired schools. When I was waiting for responses, I remember frequently checking my phone and my emails, checking every single thing which landed in my inbox to the point it became compulsive. However, there is a remedy, a cure to this awful feeling of waiting. WORK ON SOMETHING ELSE. Do this, I promise it helps. Also take a breather, take some time off as well if you can, but working on something else can be distracting and productive at the same time. Agents are busy people and it may take time for you to get a response. If it takes longer than stated on the agent’s website, a brief chase up email can be sent but do not pester and be polite when you reach out.
Final Tips
Do not submit too close to book fairs (London Book Fair- March, Bologna Book Fair- April, Frankfurt Book Fair- October) Agents tend to get extremely busy, closer to book fairs, so keep this in mind
Usually you can apply to one agent per agency, agents pass work along to their colleagues if they think others will be interested. Policy can vary per agency, so check their websites
Make a spreadsheet to track agents as you apply and the status of each application. Mine went a little like this: Agency Name/Agent/Application Status/Reason/ When I applied/When I heard back/Other notes/Email
Trust your gut when you believe you are ready and your work is the best you can get it to. Let it go out into the world, the world needs your work and finding the right match will be worth it.
Don’t let rejections get to you, it happens and will happen throughout your writing journey, persevere and keep going
What tips do you have for going on submission to agents? Please share in the comments section.
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— Davina Tijani (@dee_tijani)