Let’s talk about querying!
Querying is the process of sending out a completed manuscript to either an agent or a publisher. It’s crucial when you are seeking traditional publication.
Many authors choose to query literary agents first to seek representation for their work. Literary agents can help authors submit to big publishing houses that often don’t accept unsolicited submissions. They also can help navigate contracts, help in the editorial stages of the book, and often stay with the author for the entirety of their writing career. If you’re a picture book author, they also will have connections to illustrators (if you don’t do your own illustrations).
Some authors choose not to query agents, but rather go straight to the publisher. Lots of publishers will accept submissions from authors, though most big publishers require an agent to submit.
When querying, every agent or publisher will have their own special set of instructions to follow. The gist of it stays the same though: your manuscript must be finished and as polished as you can make it, and you must include a personalized query letter and a synopsis (for books other than picture books). We’ll talk more about query letter specifics in a later post.
Do you have any querying questions? Are you in the “querying trenches”right now?
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