👉 Scene Writing Workshop 👈
Querying literary agents can feel like stepping into the unknown. But if you don’t understand how to query agents the right way, you risk walking straight into a brick wall—and never even realizing it.
After 15+ years in the publishing industry as a consultant, publicist, and publisher, I’ve seen it happen over and over again. Writers focus entirely on their book and themselves, without considering the agent’s perspective.
Let’s fix that. Let’s break down how to query agents so you can approach them in a way that actually gets results.
How Agents Actually Make Money (The Math Most Authors Don’t Consider)
Before we dive into how to query agents effectively, you need to understand one critical thing: the economics of agenting.
Agents only make money three ways:
- Selling your book for an advance (taking 15%)
- Earning royalties from your book (taking 15%)
- Selling subrights (audio, foreign, film/TV rights—usually 15%)
Here’s the reality most authors ignore:
- Average first-time fiction advances are $5,000–$10,000.
- Agents earn $750–$1,500 from that.
- To earn out a $5,000 advance, a book needs to sell about 3,500 copies.
- But most books only sell about 250 copies in their first year.
That $750–$1,500 is often the only money the agent will ever make off your book.
If they spend more than 15–30 hours on you (which is very easy), they’re making less than $50 an hour—and that’s if the book even sells at all. Agents need to protect their time and make smart bets. You need to look like a smart bet.
Three Ways to Make Agents Actually Want to Work With You
If you understand the economic pressures agents face, you can tailor your query to make it hard for them to say no. Here’s exactly how:
1. Show Clear Market Fit
Now is not the time to tell an agent your book is unique and unlike anything else. That’s a red flag.
Instead:
- Identify where your book fits on bookstore shelves.
- Name successful titles your book would sit beside.
- Highlight your alignment with a proven, profitable market.
If you don’t know your own market, agents will assume you don’t understand the business—and they’ll move on.
2. Do the Publisher Research Yourself
Want to blow an agent away? Come prepared.
Research:
- Which publishers are buying books like yours.
- Which editors acquired them.
- Sales numbers of those books (if available).
Being able to say, “Jane Doe at Random House acquired three books like mine that sold 50,000+ copies,” shows:
- You understand the industry.
- You think like a businessperson.
- You’ll be easy to work with.
That’s rare—and valuable.
3. Build a Platform That Proves You Can Sell Books
I get it—being a writer and a marketer sounds unfair. But the industry is what it is.
Agents love authors who bring a platform because:
- Publishers are risk-averse.
- Platform equals built-in sales potential.
- Agents can pitch you more easily.
Your platform could include:
- An email list
- Social media following
- Podcast appearances
- Speaking gigs
- Previous publications
You don’t need to be a celebrity. But you do need to show you have an audience that listens when you talk.
What a Traditional Publishing Deal Actually Gets You
Before you spend years learning how to query agents and chasing a traditional deal, make sure you know what you’re fighting for.
Marketing Support? Not Likely.
Publishers save their marketing budgets for books with huge advances ($500K+).
If you get a $5K–$10K advance, expect:
- Minimal marketing help.
- Little to no media outreach.
- Heavy lifting to fall on you.
Most first-time authors quickly realize they’re their own marketing team.
Distribution? Limited.
Technically, your book will be available for stores to order. Realistically:
- Shelf space is limited.
- Big names get prime spots.
- Your debut novel might barely appear in bookstores.
Your ebook will be widely available, but most ebook sales still happen on Amazon.
Quality Production? Yes.
Publishers usually handle:
- Cover design
- Editing
- Formatting
This is valuable—but many freelance designers and editors who work for publishers are available to hire directly if you self-publish.
Why Are You Pursuing Traditional Publishing?
Let’s get real: most writers chase traditional publishing because of prestige.
You’re probably hoping for:
- Validation from an agent or editor.
- Status among peers and family.
- The dream of seeing your book in stores.
And that’s completely human. But here’s the hard truth:
The feeling fades quickly.
Even New York Times bestselling authors find that the thrill of success evaporates almost overnight. You’re still facing a blank page, still chasing the next book.
The Prestige Trap
Before you spend years learning how to query agents, consider:
- Awards? Help ego, rarely boost sales.
- Media appearances? Maybe, but you’ll have to hustle yourself.
- Bookstore placement? Brief, if it happens at all.
- Foreign rights deals? Rare, unless you sell big numbers.
Prestige feels good—but it doesn’t pay the bills, nor does it build a lasting career.
Readers Don’t Care About Publishers
The average reader doesn’t care who published a book.
They care about:
- Story
- Characters
- How it makes them feel
Not whether it has a Penguin Random House logo on the spine.
Why Self-Publishing is Probably the Better Path
Given all this, here’s why self-publishing often makes more sense:
- Production costs are comparable ($5K–$10K).
- You earn more per sale (70% royalties vs. 10–15%).
- You own everything—creative control, rights, pricing.
- You can attract agents later based on actual sales.
The counterintuitive truth? Self-publishing makes you more attractive to agents, not less.
By proving you can sell books, you flip the power dynamic. Agents come to you.
Advantages of Self-Publishing:
- Skip the years of querying.
- Start building your audience now.
- Test the market immediately.
- Retain creative control.
You stop asking for permission—and start building your career.
What Really Matters (Regardless of Publishing Path)
No matter how you publish, one truth stands tall:
The quality of your writing matters most.
To succeed, you must write a book that:
- Hooks readers instantly
- Keeps them turning pages
- Makes them care deeply
- Delivers a satisfying payoff
Great writing creates buzz. Buzz creates sales. Sales create opportunities.
It all starts with the story.
Your Next Steps: Focus on What You Can Control
Forget obsessing over how to query agents the “perfect” way. Instead:
- Master your craft — Write a book readers love.
- Learn the business — Understand publishing economics.
- Build your platform — Grow an audience before you need it.
- Self-publish smartly — Control your destiny.
- Let agents find you — Success draws attention.
Final Thoughts
The publishing world has changed. You have more power than ever before.
Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, make it a business decision, not an emotional one.
Focus on:
- Writing a great book
- Understanding the market
- Building a loyal audience
That’s the real secret to a long, successful career as a writer.
And remember: you don’t need anyone’s permission to tell your story.