Writers often assume agents are these unflappable, all-knowing gatekeepers who glide through submissions like a Disney villain with perfect eyeliner and a lifetime supply of thin patience.
Thank you! I always appreciate the non-gatekeeping I see from agents on social media. It makes the querying process much less daunting. (I mean, it still is 😂 but….)
Query advice that made me laugh out loud? Brilliant. This post gives me so much hope about agents. There are so many horror stories about agents using AI to sort through their inboxes that you wonder if there’s a point in sending at all. Every aspect of publishing is terrifying. Whether it’s having the gall to think your work is worth reading or the audacity that someone should pay for it. It’s nice to hear an empathetic human is on the other end wanting writers to be successful while learning the tricks of the trade. Thanks!
Such a useful post thank you! As an autistic, dyslexic writer, query’s and submission guidelines are my nemesis, I find them too abstract, I don’t know what they mean, I can’t get into their heads and although I can write stories I can’t conceptualise the professional protocol side of it all so I end up so confused and overwhelmed and then in paralysis unable to send anything. This post was very helpful especially number 2!
It's refreshing to know that agents are human like the rest of us. We make mistakes, and they do too. I've reset my agent panic level back down to 2. Just be real and most agents will understand if you goof up. Every thing is fixable.
Ah! So helpful. The more agent workshops I take and the more agents I follow on Substack and Instagram, the more it gives me an entirely new perspective on how to approach querying. Posts like these really matter.
I was in a workshop where an agent shared examples of submissions they receive, and some were three pages long or clearly for genres they don’t even represent and I can see how difficult that would be, just from it alone. It really shows how often people query without understanding why a particular agent would be a good fit, even though there are so many resources available. Like so many!! I have such a high respect for agents.
I also think it helps to view this as a business relationship. You’re asking someone not only to choose your work, but to advocate for it, negotiate on your behalf, and invest real time and energy into your career. I’m so hopeful that one day I’ll find the agent who’s truly meant for me. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Fantastic article, one of the clearest and most actionable query-letter overviews I've seen yet.
Oh, I'm so happy to hear that!
Great advice thank you 😊
Thanks for reading!
Great post!
Thank you so much!
You are more generous than most!! Love the insights about genre.
Definitely subscribing. Thanks for being so honest!
Always good to hear this stuff.
This is such an insightful post!! I'm about to get into the querying trenches for my new project so this is definitely the boost I needed!
Thank you! I always appreciate the non-gatekeeping I see from agents on social media. It makes the querying process much less daunting. (I mean, it still is 😂 but….)
Insightful!
Query advice that made me laugh out loud? Brilliant. This post gives me so much hope about agents. There are so many horror stories about agents using AI to sort through their inboxes that you wonder if there’s a point in sending at all. Every aspect of publishing is terrifying. Whether it’s having the gall to think your work is worth reading or the audacity that someone should pay for it. It’s nice to hear an empathetic human is on the other end wanting writers to be successful while learning the tricks of the trade. Thanks!
Such a useful post thank you! As an autistic, dyslexic writer, query’s and submission guidelines are my nemesis, I find them too abstract, I don’t know what they mean, I can’t get into their heads and although I can write stories I can’t conceptualise the professional protocol side of it all so I end up so confused and overwhelmed and then in paralysis unable to send anything. This post was very helpful especially number 2!
Appreciate your time and the expertise in crafting these tips. Thanks so much.
Helpful and reassuring- thank you for sharing!
It's refreshing to know that agents are human like the rest of us. We make mistakes, and they do too. I've reset my agent panic level back down to 2. Just be real and most agents will understand if you goof up. Every thing is fixable.
Ah! So helpful. The more agent workshops I take and the more agents I follow on Substack and Instagram, the more it gives me an entirely new perspective on how to approach querying. Posts like these really matter.
I was in a workshop where an agent shared examples of submissions they receive, and some were three pages long or clearly for genres they don’t even represent and I can see how difficult that would be, just from it alone. It really shows how often people query without understanding why a particular agent would be a good fit, even though there are so many resources available. Like so many!! I have such a high respect for agents.
I also think it helps to view this as a business relationship. You’re asking someone not only to choose your work, but to advocate for it, negotiate on your behalf, and invest real time and energy into your career. I’m so hopeful that one day I’ll find the agent who’s truly meant for me. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Great insight, thx! Will take it and use it.