Querying literary agents
Everything in this section is about the process of getting a novel (or book-length nonfiction) in front of a literary agent. Start with the query letter guide; the rest fill in the pieces it refers to.
How to write a query letter
The structure agents expect, what goes in each paragraph, and why the first line matters more than the bio.
Writing a synopsis
One-page and two-page synopses, what to include, what to cut, and why the ending belongs on the page.
Choosing comp titles
How recent, how famous, and how close — picking books that place your novel on a shelf.
Researching agents
Where to find legitimate agents, how to read a Manuscript Wish List, and how to spot red flags.
Common query mistakes
The recurring errors that get queries passed on within thirty seconds.
Handling rejection
Form rejections, personalized rejections, full requests that end in no, and why a spreadsheet helps.
See also: the query letter builder (fills in the structure) and the submission tracker (keeps the spreadsheet honest).