6 Signs You’re Ready to Query Literary Agents [Or Not]

Two types of aspiring authors ask me whether they’re ready to start pitching agents. The eager, optimistic author who has finished a draft (or maybe not even finished), and the nervous author who is more than finished but isn’t sure their book is good enough.

I’ve pulled together my thoughts to help you decide when to start submitting.

6 signs you are ready to query

1. Your entire submission package is finished, edited, and polished.

For fiction: You have a complete, edited, and polished manuscript that is as good as you can get it. Ideally it also fits your genre’s word count guidelines, and you’ve had feedback on your opening pages. 

For nonfiction: You have a compelling book proposal with a detailed outline and 1-3 sample chapters.

For memoir: You have either a complete manuscript OR a book proposal with sample chapters. Depending on the agent, either of those will be acceptable. Just check their guidelines and pitch those who want what you’ve got.

2. You have taken at least a few weeks away from your book, re-read it, and done a self-edit.

When you try to edit while you’re writing or just after you’ve finished, it’s extremely hard to tell what’s working and what’s not. You’re just too close to it. If you wait and come back with fresh eyes, you’ll be amazed by what you can suddenly see. Huge things you didn’t notice before will pop out at you – spots where the pace sags or rushes, holes in the plot, weak arguments, jumps in logic, not to mention awkward sentences and typos. You’ll also see the places where your book really shines, and you’ll be able to draw attention to those or use those same techniques in other places. 

If you ultimately hire an editor, you’ll also save a lot of time and money if you’ve done a quality self-edit first. Not sure where to start with your self-edit? I show you what to look for in this post.

3. Your word count is in the range of industry standards.

Yes, there are always exceptions, but if your word count is way over or way under your genre’s norm, this will be a HUGE red flag for agents and publishers. A low word count usually means the story isn’t fully developed, and a long word count could suggest it will be flabby or rambling. Of course there are exceptions, but before you lower your odds, analyze the source of your high/low count and do anything you can to edit it into shape. No matter what, DO NOT cut corners by padding your book with fluff or breaking it into two books. This will not fix the problem! Much more on word count in this post.

4. You understand the market and how your books fits in…and how it stands out.

To land an agent and publisher or to effectively self-publish, you obviously need a good book, but you also need something else. You need to understand its place in the market. Do you know your comps? Can you describe where your book would sit on a bookstore shelf? Knowing where your book fits means understanding not just its genre, but also how it’s similar to and different from comparable titles. If you’re unsure, research books in your genre or that touch on a similar topic or theme. I have more on this in my post on how to get a book deal​.

5. You can articulate a strong “hook.” A hook is a clear, concise concept that shows how your book stands out—in 1-3 sentences.

If you struggle to summarize your book in a compelling way, you might not be ready to grab an agent’s attention (or a reader’s attention, for that matter). The ability to distill your book’s essence into a few sentences is crucial—not just for pitching but also for marketing down the line. A strong hook highlights the core premise, stakes, and unique angle of your book. Think of it as the reason someone—be it an agent, publisher, or reader—should care. 

For fiction, this is usually your premise. Try filling in this template, and include details that set it apart from other books: 

[Character name], a [description], desperately wants to [desire], but [problem/trait]  is getting in the way. To reach his/her goal, character tries [first plan] but that plan fails because of [increasing problem or weakness]. Ultimately, they will need to [climactic action]. In the end, [how the character and/or world has changed].

For non-fiction, this is what you’re offering and how it’s different. Try filling in this formula:

"Unlike other books that [do X], my book [does Y] by/through/because [reason that makes it unique]."

Refining your hook will not only sharpen your pitch but also help ensure your book is marketable.

6. You know how to find the RIGHT agents, the ones who are looking for books like yours.

It’s tempting to send the same query to every agent you can find, especially when you’re tired from writing the book and querying seems overwhelming. It’s also extremely ineffective. Don’t leave your book’s fate to the shotgun approach! Instead of sending the same cut-and-paste pitch to every agent in town, research the agents who represent books like yours and have a history of selling them to reputable publishers. Look at their past sales, submission guidelines, and wishlist preferences. Personalizing your query doesn’t mean kissing up—it means showing them you are a professional that knows who they are, what they like, and how your book is right for them. Need help on where to find agents? Check out my guide on how to find the best literary agent​

4 Signs you’re not ready

1. You’re not finished with your manuscript or proposal:

This one is super obvious if you read the above section. Agents and publishers only consider complete manuscripts or proposals. If you don’t want to finish the book until you have an agent behind it, you’ve got one of two problems. Either you’re waiting for permission to go for your dreams (just go for it!!), or this book doesn’t really mean much to you and you just want to call yourself an author. In the latter case, it also won’t mean much to readers so don’t waste your time or theirs.

2.  You know your book needs work:

But you think agents will see its diamond-in-the-rough qualities and get out their pick axes. There is almost zero chance they are going to take on something that needs a lot of work when they’re getting plenty of submissions that are already good. Don’t expect them to do more work than you’re willing to do!

3.  You haven’t invested time or money into your writing.

If you haven’t taken writing classes, had a previous career that required writing, or worked with a coach or editor, there is a very good chance you’re not ready. The competition is fierce my friend. Take your time to get it right!

4.  You aren’t prepared for rejection.

Putting yourself out there for any competitive goal pretty much guarantees you’re going to face some rejection. No, I’m not going to tell you to build a thick skin. Quite the opposite. It’s okay—in fact it’s essential—to let yourself feel bad for a moment. Yes, rejection is brutal. But one thing is even worse: Trying to pretend it doesn’t suck.

If you tell yourself you don’t care, you’ll end up in bitterness, delusion, blame, or apathy, all of which are Kryptonite to an artist. Instead of a thick skin, build a better rebound with a go-to rejection plan: a good cry, a feel-good playlist, a long walk, a tub of Ben and Jerry’s, a talk with a trusted friend, or whatever can help you make it through. Admit that you want it, move through the disappointment, stay in touch with your heart, and then keep on wanting it until you get there.

If all signs are pointing to go, but you’re still not sure, you might be asking yourself…

Should I hire an editor?

It depends.

If you have the resources, I do recommend hiring a developmental editor to help you work out the big-picture elements that will take your book to the next level. I will definitely do this on my next book. If that’s out of your budget, you can also consider a beta reader. I have a blog post about finding and working with beta readers here.

What about copyeditors? Only if you think you’re going to have a lot of typos, struggle with grammar, or English is your second language. Otherwise, get it the best you can and know that a few typos won’t put off an agent. Once you have a book deal, your publisher will hire a copyeditor and proofreader.

*Before you self-publish, always hire a copyeditor because they are your last line of defense before going public. 

Should I keep tinkering until it’s perfect or just send it out? 

I answer this one very differently depending on the author. 

For the super-prepared author who has taken classes, edited their book multiple times, understands the market and what makes them special, and maybe even hired professional help—get out of your head and just go for it already. You could spend the rest of your life tinkering. Send it to 10-15 agents and see what happens. If that ends in being ignored or rejected, then you can reassess your query letter and your opening pages. As long as you don’t blast a generic, cut-and-paste query letter (aka spam) to every agent out there, you’ll have more than one shot!

For the new author who is raring to go but doesn’t really understand the industry, doesn’t have a sense of what makes a good book or what makes their own book stand out—I suggest slowing your roll. Step away from your draft for a few weeks, take a class, go to a conference, work with a mentor, or get a foot into the industry one way or another. Then come back to your book with fresh eyes for a self-edit, or if you have the resources, consider hiring an editor. (I’m not taking on editing clients, so this is absolutely not a sales pitch!)

To nail your opening pages, try my free workbook Fix Your Book’s Opening.

Wishing you all the best on your publishing journey!