How To Find A Literary Agent In 6 Easy Steps

If you’re feeling a little lost trying to find a literary agent, you’re definitely not alone. I hear it all the time from writers: “Where do I even start?” “How do I know who’s legit?” “Am I doing this wrong?”

Here’s the good news: once you break the process into steps, it’s totally manageable. I’m going to walk you through exactly what I’d do to find the right literary agent for my book—starting with getting your manuscript submission-ready and ending with tracking your queries so you don’t lose your place.

And yes, we’ll talk query letters too, because that’s usually the part that makes people freeze. You’re not alone. Let’s get you moving.

How to Find a Literary Agent

Finding a literary agent can feel overwhelming at first. But it’s also one of the clearest paths to traditional publishing—so it’s worth tackling. And yes, it’s competitive.

In 2024, only 40% of writers plan to query a literary agent, while 61.6% intend to self-publish. That doesn’t mean the agent route is “dead.” It just means agents are more selective, and you’ll need to be sharper with your materials and targeting.

What I noticed when I helped friends prep queries is that the process gets easier once you stop thinking “I need one agent” and start thinking “I need a shortlist of good matches.”

Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript and Materials

Before you start researching agents, get your manuscript ready. Not “kinda ready.” Ready-ready.

Here’s what I recommend you do:

• Polish your draft: fix typos, tighten sentences, and make sure the plot actually escalates.
• Check genre expectations: pacing, tone, and structure vary a lot between, say, YA fantasy and adult literary fiction.
• Do a round of beta feedback: ideally 3–8 beta readers who’ll tell you the truth. If everyone says “it’s great,” you might not have the right readers.
• Revise based on patterns: if multiple people stumble in the same chapter or don’t understand the stakes, that’s your signal.

Want to try beta reading yourself? Here’s a helpful starting point: how to become a beta reader.

Next up: your query letter. Think of it like the “front door” of traditional publishing. It should make an agent want to read your pages, not put them to sleep.

In my experience, a strong query usually does three things quickly: (1) it states what the book is, (2) it shows why it’s compelling, and (3) it proves the writer understands the market or at least the reader appeal.

If you’re still unsure what a proper manuscript looks like, use this guide: what does a manuscript look like.

Step 2: Research and List Potential Literary Agents

Now you get to do the fun (and slightly obsessive) part: research.

You’re looking for agents who represent books in your genre and have a track record you can point to. Not just “they say they like fantasy.” I mean actual evidence—recent deals, client lists, and what they repeatedly request.

Tools I’ve seen writers use successfully include:

• AgentQuery
• Association of American Literary Agents
• QueryTracker

Also, don’t ignore Manuscript Wish List. Agents post what they want, and a lot of them are very specific. If you’re trying to match your book to the right person, MSWL can help you move faster.

I’ve noticed that Twitter’s #MSWL can be especially useful when you’re seeing patterns in requests. For example, fantasy and romantasy have been getting a lot of attention—fantasy alone has shown 64 mentions recently. If your book fits those reader expectations, that’s a strong starting point.

As you research, build a list. For each agent, write down:

• Their genre preferences
• Their submission guidelines (format, file type, what they want: synopsis vs. sample chapters)
• Any “do/don’t” notes (some agents hate attachments, others require them)
• Where you found your info (so you can cite it in your own notes later)

And if you decide to go a different route, it’s good to know your options. You can also explore how to get a book published without an agent.

Step 3: Evaluate the Right Fit for Your Work

Here’s the thing: finding an agent isn’t just about who will say “yes.” It’s about who can actually sell your type of book.

So I’d go through your list and ask a few hard questions:

Have they represented books similar to yours? Look at their client list and recent publications. If their clients are all nonfiction but you wrote a debut thriller, that’s probably not your match.

What do they specialize in? Don’t rely on vague statements. If an agent says they love “speculative fiction,” check whether they’ve sold fantasy, sci-fi, or both. Those reader expectations aren’t identical.

Do they seem to understand your subgenre? For instance, if you’re writing a fantasy novel with romantasy elements, you want someone who’s comfortable pitching that blend—not someone who only sells epic fantasy with no romance.

If you’re still figuring out where your story fits, these historical fiction writing prompts can help you sharpen the tone and stakes (and it may even clarify your comps).

Also, read interviews or agent blog posts when you can. You’re not just collecting a submission target—you’re trying to understand how they think. Some agents are very hands-on with editing guidance, while others focus more on strategy and positioning. Neither is “bad,” but you should know what you’re signing up for.

And yes, this could be a long-term partnership, so compatibility really matters.

Step 4: Assess Agent-Client Compatibility

Think of this like hiring for a job you’ll do for years. You want the person to be competent, but you also want communication and trust.

If it’s possible, reach out to current or former clients (many writers do this through social media or events). You’re not asking for confidential details—just trying to get a feel for what it’s like to work together.

When I’ve seen writers get the most useful answers, the questions are simple:

• Are they responsive?
• Do they give actionable feedback or vague notes?
• How do they handle revisions and editorial direction?
• Do they explain the “why” behind decisions?

It’s kind of like getting a reference before starting a new role. You don’t want surprises later.

If you’re working on character-driven dynamics right now, you might also enjoy these friends to lovers prompts. Not just for story ideas—sometimes thinking about relationships helps you imagine how collaboration should feel between you and an agent.

Step 5: Submit Your Query Letter

Okay, time to send the queries. This is the “moment of truth,” but it’s also where details matter more than people expect.

Here’s what I’d do every time:

• Follow the submission guidelines exactly. If they ask for a synopsis, don’t send a full manuscript. If they want the first 10 pages, don’t attach 50.
• Personalize the query—not with fluff, but with a real reason. Did you read something they represented? Did you notice a specific book they sold that matches your tone?
• Match your query to the agent’s taste. Your query should sound like it belongs in their inbox.
• Keep it professional, but let your voice show. Agents are human. Your query shouldn’t read like a robot wrote it.

Your query letter is your first impression, so make it count. If you need help with crafting a description/blurb that doesn’t ramble, try this book description generator.

Step 6: Track Your Submissions and Follow Up

After you hit send, don’t just hope. Stay organized.

I strongly recommend a spreadsheet (or a tracking tool) where you record:

• Agent name
• Date you sent the query
• What materials you sent (synopsis, sample chapters, etc.)
• Response received (request, pass, no response)
• Any follow-up date you plan to use

Patience is key. Agents get hundreds of submissions, and response times can vary wildly. Some reply in a few weeks. Others take months.

If an agent’s guidelines mention a specific timeframe and you’ve passed it, a polite follow-up is reasonable. But don’t spam. I usually treat follow-ups like this: one check-in, respectful tone, and then I move on.

In the meantime, keep writing. Seriously—this part can drag, and it’s way easier if you’re working on something new.

If you need a creative reset, you might enjoy funny writing prompts for kids to get your brain back into “play” mode. Staying productive makes the waiting game feel less brutal.

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