All About Literary Agents: Finding an Agent and What to Expect
August 8, 2025
Many publishers nowadays won’t take unsolicited submissions. But how do you get an agent? What should a query letter say? Does the size of the agency matter? What if you need to change agents?
Know what to expect and what’s expected of you with these resources.
Choosing a Literary Agent
The world of agents can be opaque and more than a little intimidating, especially for emerging writers. Questions abound. How do I reach out? What makes one agent better than another? Where do I even start?
This article will guide you through the steps that every writer should consider before embarking on that most pivotal of literary relationships.
Where to Find an Agent
We recommend the following organizations and databases for finding agents to query:
Querying Agents
What Agents Want from Querying Authors
Literary agents representing an array of genres discuss what authors should expect from the querying process.
Finding Your Agent: 7 Steps to a Successful Query Letter
An author and her agent discuss how to write a query letter that gets you noticed—and what common mistakes will get you instantly rejected.
Before You Sign: An Author’s Guide to Agency Agreements
Agreements between authors and agents can be tricky things. Sometimes there’s a written contract setting out the terms of the relationship, sometimes there isn’t. To help you navigate the mysteries of the agency agreement, we’ve compiled a guide of key points for you to keep in mind. Read it here.
More Information
Our Agent Talks webinars, in collaboration with the AALA and Literary Agents of Change, feature literary agents presenting on their areas of expertise followed by Q&A sessions.