Querying Agents for Beginners: What I’ve Learned So Far

An Honest Guide from One Beginner to Another

My Querying Journey (So Far):

The first query I sent sucked.

You might think I’m being dramatic, but it's the truth. I'd done my research, studied every successful example I could find, and read my letter over and over again—but none of it mattered. I was more unprepared than I realized for the querying trenches, and my initial query definitely reflected that.

After a few immediate rejections, I had to quickly figure out what I was doing wrong (spoiler alert: it was more than one thing) and how I could fix it. I withdrew the remaining queries and got back to work, determined to learn from my mistakes. When I started submitting again, I steadily began receiving partial and full manuscript requests. Sure, there were still rejections—there always will be—but now it was clear my query was actually working.

My mistakes are your gain. Let's walk through this process together!

What exactly is a Query Letter Anyway?:

Your query letter is your first (and sometimes only) chance to sell an agent on your novel. With infinite examples online, crafting your first query can quickly become overwhelming. Do you start with the synopsis? How much personalization should you include? How many paragraphs are too many—or not enough? It’s enough to make even a seasoned querier’s head spin.

At a minimum, your query should clearly include a concise synopsis, comparable titles and authors, and your novel’s key details: length, genre, and relevant tropes or themes. If you’re aiming to strengthen it even further, consider adding genuine personalization to show your prospective agent that you understand their tastes or have explored their #MSWL (manuscript wish list). Personalization doesn’t have to be lengthy—just be genuine and show the agent why you feel like your manuscript is a good fit for them.

Wondering how all of this looks in practice? Here's the query letter that's earned me 12 full manuscript requests in just a few weeks!

Dear [Insert Agent Name Here],

I am excited to submit my folklore-inspired, dark fantasy novel, What the Shadows Took, for your consideration. This is a standalone novel with series potential. Complete at 67,000 words, this novel blends folk horror, gothic suspense, and psychological depth into a haunting tale of fate, power, and self-discovery.

Ellowyn Donnellson has spent her life trying to outrun the darkness that clings to her bloodline, believing that distance will sever its hold. But when tragedy calls her back to the island she once fled, she finds the past waiting for her—along with a forgotten grimoire, a man who speaks in riddles, and a god lost to time. The shadows at her feet stretch when she isn’t moving. The people who once feared her now look at her like they know something she doesn’t. And at the heart of it all, Erebus, the unseen force behind her family’s curse, is watching. Waiting. Closing in.

As she unravels the truth of her inheritance, Ellowyn begins to question whether the darkness she has fought so hard to escape is not her enemy, but a part of her she was never meant to resist. With the island warping around her and Erebus tightening his grip, she must choose: embrace the power that was never meant to be hers, or surrender—and let the shadows consume her entirely.

[Personalization Here]

Readers of Ava Reid’s A Study in Drowning and Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows will find a similar atmospheric, folklore-infused narrative, while fans of T. Kingfisher’s What Moves the Dead will appreciate its creeping psychological horror and eerie worldbuilding.

I have attached the first chapter and synopsis [or whatever materials are specified in their submission guidelines] per your submission guidelines. Thank you for your time and consideration—I look forward to the possibility of discussing this manuscript further.

Best,
Taylor Seager

Do Your Research (Because Not All Agents are the Same):

It’s incredibly tempting to reach out to every agent who fits your genre. Logically, it makes sense—the more queries you send, the better your chances of landing an agent. But casting a wide net can quickly become overwhelming. Dozens of unanswered queries drifting in the universe can leave you feeling anxious and exhausted. (Trust me—I learned this the hard way.)

A smarter approach is to be intentional with your queries. Sending them in smaller batches gives you room to pause, reflect, and refine your strategy as you go.

Before hitting "send," ask yourself:

• Do they represent authors in your genre?
  Make sure they aren’t already representing novels too similar to yours—agents usually avoid overlapping projects.

• What’s their sales track record?
  Loving an agent’s personality is wonderful, but they also need a history of selling novels similar to yours.

• Have they successfully sold novels like yours recently?
  You want someone who can clearly champion your story because they've done it before.

• Does your novel match their #MSWL?
  The Manuscript Wish List isn’t exhaustive, but it provides clear indicators of their preferences and taste.

Taking time to personalize your list means fewer queries—but better matches and less stress overall. (I learned this the hard way, too.)

Formatting Your Manuscript Without Stress:

Formatting is my bread and butter. In my day-to-day life I am an English teacher, so formatting a document correctly is one of those little life pleasures that I am weirdly obsessed with.

If you’re using QueryTracker, sometimes you won’t need to worry about formatting—instead, you’ll just copy and paste the requested pieces of your manuscript into their form. This is one of my favorite parts about this website; QueryTracker makes querying such an easy, painless process. However, this won’t work for long. Once agents are sending you partial and full requests, you’ll need a correctly formatted document.

If an agent asks you to send your manuscript to them, here are the formatting basics to keep in mind:

• Font & Spacing: Standard fonts (Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond) at size 12. Double-spacing is essential, with the first line of each paragraph indented.

• Margins: Standard one-inch margins all around.

• Running Header: Include your last name, manuscript title, and page number in a running header (top right corner of every page except the title page).

• Title Page: Your first page should include your contact information in the top-left corner (name, email, phone). In the lower half of the page, center your manuscript’s title and your full name beneath it.

Encouragement for the Query-Weary:

If querying begins to feel overwhelming, exhausting, or just isn’t enjoyable anymore, please—take a break. You didn't write your novel overnight, and querying deserves that same thoughtful, patient approach. Take your time, slow down, and try to find joy in what you’re doing. After all, you’re sharing your work with brilliant literary minds—and if you're lucky, you might even get valuable feedback that helps you grow.

Securing an agent takes patience and perseverance. Rather than rushing through, try to appreciate the small, meaningful interactions with agents, the thoughtful research that goes into choosing them, and the small tweaks that gradually make your query stronger. Someday, when your novel finds its place on the bestseller list (because you never know!), you'll look back and be glad you took your time to do things the right way.