Top Tips for Authors Querying in 2024 | How to Query a Literary Agent | Querying Advice and How To

[@1MKWilliams]

You can follow my full journey with traditional publishing and querying here: studio.kzbin.infoPL5wG4jOiELp3dGtDqfznWFG0xE9zTNPXf/videos

[@ser2952]

Yep, I got my first full request week one also. Definitely make sure those manuscripts are done!

[@1MKWilliams]

That is amazing!!! Congratulations!

[@ser2952]

@@1MKWilliams thank you! My manuscript is out to several agents, so I'm still waiting to see if anyone offers. Eek!

[@1MKWilliams]

@@ser2952 good luck!!!

[@ser2952]

@@1MKWilliams thank you!

[@mrcrawlingstv]

I've spent most of yesterday watching the videos on QT and how to use it. There is a lot to absorb and I'm enjoying the learning experience. Thanks again MK. I'll make sure to cast a wide web once my duck's are all in a row.

[@1MKWilliams]

That is awesome!! Best of luck learning QT and getting an agent! You'll have to keep me posted on your progress :)

[@thewokeprophet]

Thank you

[@1MKWilliams]

You're welcome!

[@thewokeprophet]

Hello, I wrote my first book about spirituality and religion, and I'm looking for someone who can connect me with podcast shows for interviews. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

[@1MKWilliams]

I have a whole series of videos on this: kzbin.info/aero/PL5wG4jOiELp0TWIk-wmMJTwkUQ2PCrMIh

[@TrickShotDragon307]

Hi - do you know the longest time frame you can upload a paperback (ingram) book to pre-release on Amazon to make it eligible for the Hot New Release category? (Would like to hit the charts b4 release date, but don’t want to post it up too early and mess with the charts’ algorithm/timing). Thanks!

[@spiritangel1079]

Good Morning, If a Literary Agent contacts an Author, is the agent trying to sell you marketing or just by the rights to your book and get a percentage? I am trying to discern who is legitimate. 🌴

[@1MKWilliams]

If an agent contacts you, you have several ways to verify if they are legitimate: 1. Ask to speak with their existing and last clients to get a feel for how they work. If they won't let you that's a sign they don't have happy clients. 2. Check out their agency website and their name on Writer Beware 3. If they ask for any money up front run. Agents make a commission of the deals they bring you. That's their incentive to work hard for your book. 4. Check if they are part of any literary agent organizations

[@spiritangel1079]

@@1MKWilliams Ohhh.Thank you that was a lot of good information.

[@stevebeal73]

This may sound dumb to you, but what exactly does "querying" mean in this context? Here in the UK, the word has a number of possible meanings, but none seem to apply in this instance. 😀

[@1MKWilliams]

Great question. When an author wants to work with a literary agent to secure a traditional book deal, they need to first find and agent and secure representation. While some authors may leverage industry connections, most go through the process of pitching their books to agents in the hopes of securing representation. The pitch that is sent in is called a query, the process an author goes through to send these pitches is therefore called querying. I hope this helps

[@taylorpingelton4946]

If you do the query an agent if you are still want to self publish route/plan?

[@1MKWilliams]

If you think you want to self-publish then don't query an agent. Agents only work in the traditional publishing space. One exception would be if you have already self-published and specifically want to find an agent to help sell translation rights, there are some agents that specialize and help get your book in different languages.

[@joyterry3018]

Question for you about using Query Manager. When your pasting your chapters into query manager is there some kind of format? Trying to copy and paste from word was a nightmare, so I copied each chapter pasting it into notepad and then attaching it query manager but I still feel like it’s ugly. Thanks for your time.

[@1MKWilliams]

Hmm I didnt have any issues copy and pasting and having format issues. One thing I did hear in an agent interview is that they know copy and pasting can be wonky. If the story is good, it's good when they require full word doc theyll see the correct formatting