Unless you are going to self-publish, as a writer you will need a literary agent. To approach an agent you will need to have completed various tasks first - not least having a completed, well-edited manuscript. This entry will take you through how to construct a Cover Letter, a Synopsis, and how to Choose the Right Agent.
Your manuscript is finished! You have a sudden rush of self-belief, and you want to strike before this wears away to the usual imposter syndrome and perfectionism that WILL cripple you. But what do you do now?
Publish the thing!
But how? The first step is to query an agent. To do this, you will need a Cover Letter, a concise Synopsis, and to have researched literary agencies.
Let's take a closer look at approaching literary agents by writing a cover letter.
What is a Cover Letter? A Cover Letter is a query to an agent via email that pitches your book. It should include all the key information about your project: genre, word count, title, the storyline, why you are writing this, the audience, and why you have chosen to query this specific agent.
Here is the structure that I used:
The first sentence should get straight to the point - convey your book's word count, genre, and title. For example: "I am writing to seek representation for my 80,000-word historical fiction, The Falling Sun."
Your next sentence should give a brief overview of the story, but it is not a blurb or synopsis. For example: "the tale of a Japanese couple’s pursuit of the American Dream in the dying days of the Wild West, and a police officer’s quest to expose a corrupt politician." It teases the story but gives enough overview to grab the agent's attention.
Next, give an example of where the book will sit on the shelf. Name drop some comparable titles (but ensure they are relevant.) Include a genre or favourited book of the agent that you are querying - it shows that you have done your research. Be careful when saying that your writing is similar to someone else's: you don't want to make unbelievable or arrogant statements, such as "I'm the next Stephen King." You should want to be the next YOU.
Now, write a longer synopsis (but not a full one - that is for the attached chapters.) This synopsis should be like a blurb. Hint at the wider narrative, mention character, and themes, but stop short of revealing the solutions to the characters' problems (do this in the full synopsis.)
Example (The Falling Sun):
"San Francisco, 1969. Police Officers Arthur Lawrence and Alonso Garcia of the SFPD investigate a missing person case, hoping to capture the elusive Zodiac Killer. They instead discover former Tule Lake Incarcerate, Akira Yamamoto, and the abducted mayoral candidate, John F. Thorbes. Mr. Yamamoto believes that Thorbes is responsible for his wife’s murder. This leads to revelations of corruption and a notorious gang, who Thorbes is paying to quash Civil Rights dissent.
"Simultaneously, the narrative journeys back to 1910, following Japanese immigrants Tenshi and Hamata (Akira’s parents) as they struggle for their American Dream on a brutal Californian farm owned by the illustrious Mr. Friston. The couple face xenophobia, labour disputes, and ultimately flee to San Francisco, where they confront the harsh realities of a changing world."
See how this gives an overview of the story, the characters, and their obstacles, but does not detail much specifics. [READ my blog on writing a damn-good synopsis.]
After this, you should then add a short paragraph explaining the relevance of your book to today's market, mentioning audience, why they will want to purchase it, and any relevant research (particularly if it is a historical novel.)
Example (The Falling Sun):
"With the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two next year, as well as the anniversary of the closing of the Incarceration Camps, now is a timely reminder. Debates on immigration and the Rights of foreign-born citizens is a topic that speaks as loud today as it did in the periods the novel is set."
Then, a tailor-made paragraph stating why you are interested in this specific agent or agency. Mention their likes and interests. Do you like a book that they also like? Why is their company a good fit for your vision? Do they handle television rights and you dream of having a TV series? Be ambitious, but also try to avoid sounding delusional.
Author Bio - An author bio should be brief. An agent doesn't want to hear about the goldfish you had when you were ten. They want a quick overview of your interests and previous writing experience. Keep it relevant to your manuscript (e.g: don't mention that you play football on Sundays when your novel is a sci-fi about brain-eating aliens.) The bio is also a good place to draw attention to your website or social media (if you have them.) Illustrate to potential agents that you are serious about this manuscript and its topic, and that you are willing to put in hard graft.
Example:
"I am an actor and writer based in the UK and have conducted extensive research on the topic of the American West and Japanese American Incarceration in the four-year construction of this novel. I recently visited Japan as part of this research. An essay on Incarceration can be found at my website. I also have an Instagram page and have been growing an enthusiastic audience. The Falling Sun will be my debut novel."
Finally, sign-off your Cover Letter with you name, email, address, and website & social media links. Thank the agent for their time.
Expect to wait anywhere between a few days to a couple of months for a reply.
How do you pick the right agent so that (hopefully) your response is quicker rather than later?
RESEARCH.
Find a list of publishers online or purchase the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook to view all the major publishers in the country (and the US, if you buy the book.) Trawl through their websites, reading about them, their submission requirements, and the wishlists of their agents. Then make a shortlist of who you are going to submit to.
TIPS
Ensure the agency accepts unsolicited manuscripts (that's manuscripts not already recommended by an agent.)
Follow their submission guidelines
Ensure the agent represents your genre
Ensure they aren't a vanity publisher (they will charge you to publish)
Avoid: Austin Macauley, Xlebris, Olympia, AMZ , and other scams (see this website for more information.)
Format appropriately (1.5 or double spacing, most likely)
Read agent interviews - insight into what they're looking for and how they work
Ensure they are offering services valuable to you - Do they edit? How do they handle marketing? What contacts do they have?
Ensure you know your own goals - Do you want to see your books in shops? If so, ensure that this is being offered.
Look at the agent's past clients - Similar genres? Your favourite author? Use this to connect with them.
A BIG ONE - don't ignore indie publishers.
If you follow this advice (and read other similar articles, either here or on other websites dedicated to writers), then you will have a strong pitch for a literary agent. I can't promise that you will not face rejection, but stay determined and you will one day succeed.
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