5 Tips For Finding The Best Publishing Agent

Release That Book to the Public

It’s every writer’s dream—to have their book not only published, but well-respected and successful. People pour their hearts into their work, write into the wee hours of the morning, and all that’s left at the end of their journey is finding the person to make it happen. But how do you go about it? Don’t worry, we have a few ways you can land the best publishing agent!

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1. Finish Your Manuscript

Unless you’re working on a nonfiction book, almost every publisher wants a finished manuscript. Without one, you’re looking at a quick trip to the dustbin! Remember: agents have hundreds of hopefuls hit their desks every day, and the last thing they’re going to do is give unfinished work a chance.

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2. Research Your Options

Finding the right agent won’t happen overnight. The onus is on you to get the right person with the right publishing house—and in the right niche. Sadly, that means hours of additional research to find the best fit. The silver lining is that you’ll at least have someone in your corner throughout your career!

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3. Personalize Query Letters

Query letters are a lot like cover letters. The major difference here is that query letters can change your life. You’re not going to get anywhere with a cookie-cutter script that agents will roll their eyes at. Personalize every query and make sure they know you mean business.

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4. Monitor Communication Skills

Of course, communication isn’t just about how well you present your work. A good agent keeps in touch, sends timely responses, and makes quick connections with you. If anything ever seems off, it’s always smarter to walk away. You’ll need to work with them for years, potentially, so you need the best fit!

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5. Know Your Market

Having a book is fine and dandy, but it won’t reach the shelves in an oversaturated market. Look into your niche and figure out what separates you from everything else in Indigo. The better understanding you have of your market, the more successful you can be.

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