Q+A: How I got my agent
Plus why my agent picked me (and the exact query letter I sent her)
Before I forget: You can find my latest writing workshop on how to break a heart here!
Every month, I select a reader-submitted question and answer it. If you want more guidance on writing, craft, and publishing, you can follow along with my writing community IG here.
This month, I’m responding to the question of how I found my agent. In this post, you’ll find:
What to consider when querying
In her own words, why my agent chose to represent me
The exact query letter I sent my agent with color-coded annotations/ explanations you can use as a template
Two years ago, I got the call from Joanna Mackenzie with an offer of representation. I remember standing on the sidewalk outside of a New Seasons when the email came through: Hi Joy, loved the pages you sent. Can we talk this afternoon?
Fast forward a year later and Joanna and I finally meet in person in the lobby of Penguin Random House. My book, Instructions for Traveling West, is just about to launch and we’re in NYC to meet my publisher. In the clip below, we’re filming some b-roll for pub day, so we’re acting very interested in this bookshelf. 😂
If you’re interested in a traditional publishing deal with a Big Five publisher, you’ll most certainly need representation. Literary agents basically act as brokers between you and editors. They only make money when you sell your book, so they’re invested in your success. And they’re super savvy about making sure your creative vision and well-being is protected during the (long) publishing process. Not only do they help you navigate your deal, but they also provide a beautiful buffer between you and your publishing team as you move through the sometimes fraught logistics of editing, design, tour, and promotion details.
I can’t begin to express my gratitude to Joanna in helping me bring my book into the world. Agents make so much possible. And their partnership really matters. They became friends, advocates, and (at times) mini-therapists. They absolutely make or break a book’s success.
Here’s my best tips for querying your dream agent:
Showcase a fresh perspective, big idea, or interesting personality.
Agents always hope they’ll discover the next Colleen Hoover, but the reality is they get a lot of queries (between 5,000 and 20,000+ submissions yearly). Your query must shine amidst the slush pile.
Agents often decide whether or not to offer representation after reading just the first few pages of a manuscript. That’s why it’s so critical to have a clear point of view, a refreshing take on popular discourse, or a distinct perspective.
My agent told me once how funny it is when writers query her and say that their work is exactly like Joy Sullivan. She laughed: I don’t need another Joy Sullivan. I already have one.
In other words, it’s important to show that you can share a shelf but still stand apart.
Do your research.
Know what an agent generally reads and accepts. Read their wishlist and reference it to show you’ve done your homework. Follow them on social. Articulate why your work is a good fit. Make it clear what your genre is, hone your pitch to a single sentence, and demonstrate why the world needs your book now.
Demonstrate that your book can sell.
Agents are absolutely going to Google you. And when they do, they should find a decent website, a sense of your work, and a feel for your readership demographic.
Furthermore, your query letter should provide evidence that your work is saleable—meaning you can provide evidence that your work can sell. You don’t have to have a huge social media presence. Get creative—have you sold prints? Are you growing an email list? Getting invited to speak on podcasts or conferences? Are you selling out workshops? Agents need reassurance that your work can find a home. An investment in you is a risk, so any promising data you can provide is encouraging.
Query in batches.
Query in batches (4-6) at once vs. sending out your pitch to your entire list. Why? Some agents will give you feedback that you can integrate before you pitch your manuscript to others. This perspective can be crucial to success and keeps you from burning through your options quickly because of solvable issues.
(You’ll find a copy of my query letter below. Feel free to steal it as a template).
Does author platform matter? I asked my agent:
I had about 25K IG followers when I initially queried my agent and was accepted. Recently, I asked Joanna how much a social media platform factored in? Was my following the reason she picked me up? How much does it matter in general?
Here’s what she had to say:
The numbers on your Instagram didn’t matter as much as the energy I felt from your following. I could tell that the work was promising and your readers were engaged.
I was obviously impressed by the quality of the writing (I mean I get queried for poetry manuscripts all the time), but the possibility for growth and the energy of engagement swayed me.
The most common problem I see writers make is that they try to grow a social platform before their work is strong enough. Authenticity is what matters. Readers can sniff out money-making or fame-seeking schemes. Quippy 200 character work just doesn’t have the longevity to make it. My advice is to understand your craft and then worry about social. Once you have real stuff to share, that’s where connection happens (ie. people want to share, invite you on podcasts, feature you as a speaker etc).
Bottom line: Building a social media platform will never be as important as truly understanding your craft. If it detracts from your artistry, social media isn’t worth it.
My annotated query letter
Below is the exact letter I sent Joanna. You’ll find in each color-coded section my reasoning and what you might include in your own query. I’ve also included best-practice tips.
I love looking back on this early letter. So much has changed. My readership. The title of my book. The fact that I now have a writing community of over 200 poets and essayists and teach craft full-time. Who knew one little letter of introduction could open that door? Here’s my query: