The Aspiring Author's Step-by-Step Guide to Landing a Book Deal

Advice from a ghostwriter-turned-indie-turned-trad author!

For those who don’t know, I used to work as a professional ghostwriter. For roughly six years, my books have been floating out there—some have even gone on to become bestsellers!—but you’ll never know it was me. While my tenure as a ghostwriter offered me the perfect opportunity to work on my craft, I inevitably longed to see my name on the front cover of one of my books. So began my quest to land myself a literary agent, and, hopefully, a book deal. I scoured the internet high and low for every morsel of information I could possibly devour—articles, YouTube videos, Twitter threads. And while there’s definitely a lot of wonderful info out there, I thought it might be helpful (and fun for me) to compile everything in one handy-dandy place.

With that being said, let’s go!

Step 1: Finish your book.

It goes without saying you probably shouldn’t consider querying literary agents until after you’ve finished your book. After all, they can’t sell (or even consider) a book that doesn’t yet exist. It’s a little different for non-fiction writers, but since I primarily write romance and fantasy, I’m afraid I can’t really speak to their experiences.

Step 2: Edit your book.

Before you enter the querying trenches, I’d strongly advise editing your book to as close to perfection as possible. (The key word being “close.”) The fastest way to end up in the reject pile is by sending in a manuscript rife with errors, structural issues, and so on. (If you miss one or two, that’s fine. I promise it happens to the best of us!) But if your work is riddled with mistakes, it speaks to your level of professionalism and writing quality.

Q: Do I need to hire a freelance editor?

A: Maybe. That’s entirely up to you, your budget, and how much extra polish your manuscript needs. Please keep in mind, though, that you should still clean up your book as much as possible. Editors are there to help elevate your work and catch mistakes that slipped through the self-editing cracks, but the onus of the heavy lifting falls entirely on you. While they work magic, they aren’t made of magic. They can’t snap their fingers and automatically fix everything.

Step 3: Prepare your query package.

In separate documents/files, have the following saved and correctly labelled:

Manuscript

I feel like this one is self-explanatory. I always advise having a copy of your book saved elsewhere (on an external hard drive or USB) for backup. You can even email yourself a copy!

(I once worked a freelance job where I was 95% finished with the project, and then my computer crashed. I didn’t have the foresight to back up my work anywhere. As you can imagine, I had one hell of a meltdown.)

Sometimes agents will ask you for additional material to read. I recommend splitting your manuscript into several different versions: a full, a partial (first fifty pages), and a chapter partial (first three chapters). This way you can send off the required materials in a pinch. (Never send more than what they request, though. If agents want to read more, they’ll ask.)

Query Letter

A query letter is sort of like a cover letter when you’re applying for a job. It gives the basic run-down of who you are, as well as your book’s elevator pitch. Below, you’ll find a rough template of how I start all of my book proposals/queries:

Dear [Agent Name],

[TITLE] is a [AGE CATEGORY + GENRE] roughly [WORD COUNT] in length in which [HOOK]. It will appeal to fans of [BOOK by AUTHOR] and [BOOK by AUTHOR].

The reason I start with this introduction is primarily to provide prospective agents with all the necessary information they need up front. By first giving genre, word count, and comps, most agents will be able to tell if they’re interested in reading on within a matter of seconds.

Let’s say you’ve got a YA sci-fi you’re hoping to pitch, but the agent only represents adult romance, you’ll very likely be rejected outright, but save everyone a lot of time. (Of course, you should really only be submitting to agents you know represent your genre, but that comes later.) The point is, presenting this info off the bat saves you from waiting around to hear back, and also makes it easy for the agent to decide if they want to pass or request more, which I’m sure they appreciate. (They’re busy bees!)

But we’re not done yet:

Dear [Agent Name],

[TITLE] is a [AGE CATEGORY + GENRE] roughly [WORD COUNT] in length in which [ONE-SENTENCE HOOK]. It will appeal to fans of [BOOK by AUTHOR] and [BOOK by AUTHOR].

[Blurb]

[About the Author]

Sincerely,

[Author Name]

After your comps comes the blurb section. Close your eyes and imagine your book in your hands. Flip the book over. What’s written here is meant to entice readers into giving your book a chance—and that includes literary agents! It should be short and sweet, but crafted to pique interest. All good book blurbs follow a formula: offer a problem, the stakes, and a hint of something surprising.

Next comes the about section. This is where you’d list any relevant/interesting information. Did you pitch your book in an online event? Do you have a degree in creative writing? Any interesting facts about you as a person? You don’t need a whole lot here. Just introduce yourself as you would with anyone new you meet! This is your chance to make a good first impression.

Then sign off in a professional, but friendly manner and TA-DAH! You’ve got yourself a pretty one-page query letter! (DO NOT EXCEED ONE PAGE. NOBODY HAS TIME FOR THAT.)

[I can go into more detail about the art of query letters in a future post because I guarantee I’ve probably forgotten something. Please feel free to comment with questions and have someone yell at me to write it later.]

Synopsis

Yeah, you’re reading that right. You also need a synopsis as part of your query package. As succinctly as possible, summarize the main events of your book in a single document. (Roughly two pages, double spaced.) Remember how we imagined the blurb on the back of your book? Now I want you to close your eyes and imagine someone’s uploaded a SparksNotes version of your book online.

A trick I like to do is go through my manuscript chapter by chapter, summarizing the main events in bullet point form. Do this the whole way through and you’ll eventually have whittled things down into a basic summary. Obviously, you’ll need to reformat, cut anything unnecessary, and polish to make your synopsis readable, but this method has never failed me before (and I hope it will be helpful for you)!

Q: What if my book has multiple story lines?

A: Summarize the main events. Who do you consider the main protagonist? If they have a romantic subplot, you can make mention, but that’s not the main driver of the story.

Step 4: Create an account of QueryTracker.

You still with me? Excellent!

Now we’re going to head on over to QueryTracker. This is the place to be if you intend on querying literary agents. The days of mailing in manuscripts with a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) are long gone. Many agents in the industry today will ask that you submit electronically through QueryTracker, often providing a link on their websites or social media. The best part—it’s free!

(There’s a premium service, I do believe, that allows you to see more detailed submission statistics, but most all vital information is readily available for free account users.)

I cannot express to you how vital this site is. Here, you can find agents from the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia (I believe I even saw one from France listed on there)! They’ll also provide literary agency names, contact information, social links, genres they represent, and whether or not they’re currently open to queries. I strongly encourage you click around and explore.

Now that you have a wealth of information at your fingertips and a query package ready to shine, the next thing to consider is querying strategy (it’s a bit intimidating, but don’t worry, I’ve got you):

Curated List vs. Wide Net

I’ve spoken to many authors (as well as gone through the querying trenches myself) and I can firmly say that there are two main camps that people tend to fall into: those who only submit to a curated list of agents they believe are the best fit and those who submit to every agent possible to increase their chances of being considered. Both are perfectly valid avenues, it’s simply a matter of what you’d prefer.

The pros of a curated list are that you’ve done your research and know for a fact that the agents you’ll be submitting to are an ideal fit. They rep your genre, age category, are currently open for submission and actively searching for new projects. When you know for a fact that you check all their boxes, there’s no need for guess work. You’re the type who prefers specificity, organization and logic in all the madness.

The cons of a curated list is that—let’s face it—feelings might get bruised. I’m sure your work is brilliant and will no doubt find the perfect agent to champion it, but I’m not going to beat around the bush. There’s a chance that you may end up being rejected by most (or all) of the agents you submitted to. One of them might even be a dream agent! But don’t worry. This is when you should curate a new list with new agents you believe will be a good fit and try again. Go another round. Publishing is a long game. Have patience and keep your chin up!

Now, for the wide net approach. The pros of casting a wide net are—well—that you’re casting a wide net. You’re bound to catch someone’s interest. You might even catch the attention of an agent you didn’t realize could be interested in the first place. The cons of a wide net are—well—that you’re casting a wide net. There’s also a chance you might find agent who isn’t a good fit (or may be a red flag [holy cow, I could write a whole post about those ones]). It may also take a really long time to hear back from absolutely everyone. Be sure to have a spreadsheet to keep track of dates submitted and if you’ve received a reply to keep things organized.

Q: How long does it take to hear back from an agent about a query?

A: A few days. A few months. I’ve even had author friends who didn’t hear back until a year and a half later after her book was already published and on store shelves. The point is, it varies.

Q: Can I send a follow up email/message?

A: Absolutely! If you haven’t heard back in a month (or within a timeframe that they provide), feel free to give a nudge—but don’t be incessant about it. Agents have their plates full. My best advice is send it and forget it.

Step 5: The agent call.

Let’s assume you’ve made it through steps 1 through 4 and now have a prospective agent interested in your work. Congratulations . . . but also, get ready, because now it’s time for an interview.

If an agent really loves your work and is interested in representing you and the project, they will very likely set up a call, either via phone (or more commonly these days via Zoom). This is the start of a business relationship (and hopefully a long and prosperous one, at that), but please don’t stress too much. Just be yourself, be friendly, and be excited! I should stress that this is not an offer (yet), but an introductory call. This is a chance for you and the agent to see how well you vibe, as the kids say. Be sure to ask questions, ask questions, and ask more questions. Leave nothing off the table.

Here’s a handful of examples, though you’re always encouraged to add more:

1. What did you love most about my book?

2. How much work does the project need editorially before submission?

3. Do you have an idea of which publishers/editors you might approach about my book?

4. What other support does your agency provide in terms of TV/Film, translation, etc.?

5. Would it be alright if I spoke to a few of your current/past clients for a referral?

6. How long have you been a literary agent?

7. How easy would you say it is to get in contact with you?

8. Would you represent all of my work, or do you work on a book-to-book basis?

9. If, hypothetically, you were to leave the agency/the industry altogether, what would be the process for me as your client?

That’s just a short list, but some of the more important ones I asked on my own call. No question is a dumb question. It’s important that you leave the call feeling informed.

You very well may have several agent calls, in which case, you should definitely let each agent know as a courtesy.

Q: How do I choose an agent?

A: Sometimes it comes down to a gut feeling, but most of the time, you should seek an agent you feel is responsive, has a game plan, is clearly passionate about your work, and shares your editorial vision.

You will very likely receive an email with an offer of representation shortly after your agent call.

Step 6: Receive an offer of representation.

AHHHHH!!!! YOU GOT AN OFFER OF REPRESENTATION!!! MAYBE EVEN OFFERS (PLURAL!?!?)!!

Give yourself a big pat on the back. This is a huge accomplishment! (And for those who haven’t yet, don’t worry. Everyone’s experience is different. Do not compare your journey to others. You just have to keep trying.)

Keep in mind that if you receive an offer of representation from an agent, the first thing you need to do is thank them and also ask for fourteen days to inform all other agents you submitted to/give other agents a chance to follow up on your query. (It’s considered professional courtesy in this industry.) A green flag agent will tell you to take all the time you need with this regard. A red flag agent will demand that you agree to their deal right away or place a deadline on you (so be wary of these ones, folks)! Do not feel pressured into accepting right away. It’s not a good sign.

If you have multiple offers of representation, go take a walk. Think about it. Take your time weighing your options. Who do you believe is the best fit? Sometimes it genuinely comes down to who you feel you get along with better. If you have more questions or need more clarification, always ask. Agents should send you a blank contact to review ahead of time. (If they don’t, that’s another red flag).

When you’re ready and when your fourteen day courtesy window is up, inform your agent that you’ve chosen them (and also politely decline any outstanding offers). Your new agent should be pretty speedy about sending along the paperwork. Give everything a final read and then sign.

Congrats! You now have a literary agent.

Step 7: Edits (AGAIN!)

LOL YOU THOUGHT WE WERE DONE!? WE’RE NEVER DONE!!!

Now that you’ve signed with an agent, it’s time to edit your manuscript again—but this time with editorial notes. Depending on the agent, these notes could be extensive or very light. It totally depends on their style (and you likely asked them about their editorially plans on the call, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise). Your agent knows what editors are in the market for, so be sure to listen to their suggestions and feedback on how to gear your work for formal presentation.

I personally went through three rounds of edits with my agent for The Last Dragon of the East. The first was with a thorough editorial letter going over everything from structure to world building to character development. It took me a few weeks to go through each point, rewriting sections along the way. The second round was lighter fixes, things I might have missed (or plot holes I accidentally created during my first round). And then the last round was a final polish between me and my agent as they prepared to go on sub.

An important thing to note: your agent is here to help you. You are, of course, allowed to disagree with some points—especially if you feel strongly about a detail—but remember that this is a professional business relationship. Your agent wants the best for you and your project, and sometimes that means being critical of shortfalls. I’ve known authors who were unable to set aside their own ego, were constantly combative in the face of genuinely constructive critique, and had their relationship with their agent break down before they even got on sub. (Yikes.)

Step 8: Going on sub.

Don’t worry, going on submission (“on sub”) is just as stressful as trying to find an agent, but that’s why I’m here to guide you.

Now that your manuscript is finally—FINALLY—ready, it’s time to go on sub. You’ll likely have discussed submission strategies with your agent about which editors/publishers to approach.

You may not hear back right away. In fact, it could take months—even a year—before you receive any news. Don’t freak out. This is normal. This is now your agent’s wheelhouse. They will be busy shopping your project around. Ideally, your agent will give you periodic updates about who’s currently considering your book, as well as rejections.

(Let me also take a moment to stress that you are no less worthy and no less talented if you receive a rejection. It happens to all of us. This is a cutthroat business, after all. Very much a “it’s not you, it’s me” kind of industry, at the whims of the market and cyclical trends.)

At this point, things are out of your hands, so this is what you’re going to do:

Forget about it and start working on your next project. (I’m serious. Get started on your next book. It’ll help you keep sane.)

And then, one magical day, you’ll hear back from your agent.

An editor at [PUBLISHER] wants to sign your book.

Step 9: Editor call.

Y’all, I’m going to be honest. I’ve never made as many phone calls in my life than when I was trying to get published. (Like, I only ever pick up for Mom, Dad, and the Hubby. That’s it.)

Much like with your agent, you will set up a call with a prospective editor. You’re going to gush about your book, talk about their editorial vision for your book, get a general sense of their vibe. Again, this is a professional relationship you’re hoping to start. You, your agent, and your editor are all going to be in business together, so it’s important that you all get along.

You might even have multiple editor calls with multiple publishers offering a deal, but that’s where your agent comes in.

At Auction

If there are multiple publishers interested in your book, your agent will handle an auction, basically taking bids from each editor. As you can imagine, the publisher who offers the most will likely win the contract—but you still have a say in the matter. That’s right. Just because they’re offering more, doesn’t mean you personally feel they’re the best fit (though let’s be real, they usually are). During this process, your agent will keep you informed of everything that happens so that you can make an informed choice. It’s honestly madness. Months of silence—and now a full day of excitement!

I personally made sure to keep my phone charged and my ringer on high so I didn’t miss a single update. It was the best kind of nerve-racking!

No-Contest Offer

If you have a single publisher offering to purchase your book, that’s also equally amazing! Your agent will be in charge of negotiating your rights and other minor details (like sum offered), whether they have an option on your next work, etc.

Second Book Deal

Sometimes—SOMETIMES—your agent may be able to negotiate a second book deal in conjunction with your first if you’re currently working on a new project. This is why I said it was so important for you to work on something else while on sub (be sure to tell your editor about it on the call), especially if it’s in the same genre. It’s not uncommon for publisher’s to bundle deals into a two-for-one situation, so they’re not only going to publish your first book, but your next one as well!

Step 10: Accept book deal.

AYYYYYYYY I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!

I know the road was long and hard, but it’s time to celebrate! Let the whole world know! Sign that contract! Post that Publisher’s Marketplace announcement screenshot for everyone to see! Set up your author Goodreads profile in advance! You should be so proud of yourself. You’ve just achieved something extraordinary!

… Of course, there’s still a whole other half of the publishing journey, but that’s a post for another day, hm?

Conclusion

Many aspire to be published authors, but as you can see, it’s no cake walk. I hope that was helpful (sometimes I worry I was rambling.) I’ve done my best to go over every step of the querying process, but if I’ve forgotten anything, please let me know in the comments!