Introduction

Literary agents are the gatekeepers to the traditional publishing industry, playing a crucial role in the journey of every aspiring author. They are a great asset to your writing career and can sometimes be the most challenging part of it. Literary agents not only manage communication between authors and publishers, but they also have valuable skills in navigating the publishing world. They promote your book to respected publishers, making sure it reaches the right readers and has the best chance of succeeding.

Finding an agent for your speculative fiction takes a unique approach for several reasons. The genre is complicated, with different subgenres and narrative styles, each having its own rules and audience expectations. Speculative fiction blends fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Authors must demonstrate their distinctive style and where their work fits in literature.

To increase your chances of getting representation, it’s important to find agents who are enthusiastic about your specific niche and knowledgeable about the market. A strong query letter is crucial for standing out among many submissions and catching an agent’s attention. It should showcase your story’s originality and address the genre’s complexities.

Preparing Your Manuscript

Preparing your novel manuscript for submission can be the longest part of the process, especially early in your career.

If you read the Short Story submission section, a lot of this is going to look familiar. But know that this is focusing on submitting to an agent, not just a literary magazine. Getting an agent is going to be a professional relationship that may be long term, so set your best foot forward.

Formatting Guidelines for SF/F Novel Submissions

When preparing your science fiction or fantasy novel for submission to literary agents, adhering to industry-standard formatting is crucial. This isn’t just a formality—it’s your first opportunity to show professionalism and attention to detail.

Typical formatting guidelines for novel submissions include:

• Font: Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point
• Double-spaced
• 1-inch margins on all sides
• Page numbers in the header or footer
• Your name and contact information on the first page
• Title page with word count

Always check each agent’s specific requirements, as they may have preferences that differ from these standards. Some may request the first few chapters rather than the full manuscript, or have specific file format requirements (e.g., .doc, .docx, or .pdf).

Common Submission Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Submission Guidelines: Each agency has its own rules. Read them carefully and follow them to the letter.
2. Querying the Wrong Agent: Research each agent’s preferences and current wishlist. Don’t send your epic fantasy to an agent who explicitly states they’re not interested in the genre.
3. Generic Query Letters: Tailor your query letter to each agent. Show that you’ve done your homework and explain why you think your novel would be a good fit for their list.
4. Submitting an Unfinished Manuscript: For fiction, especially for debut authors, your novel should be complete and polished before querying.
5. Overlooking the Synopsis: Many agents request a synopsis along with sample chapters. Make sure yours effectively summarizes your entire plot, including the ending.

Polishing Your Manuscript

Time to clean up the beautiful mess you’ve made. There are certain areas you’ll want to focus on, and others that are options but often depend on your available budget. Before submitting, ensure your manuscript is as refined as possible:

1. Self-Editing: After completing your draft, set it aside for a few weeks. Return to it with fresh eyes for a thorough self-edit.
2. Beta Readers: Recruit avid readers of your genre to provide feedback on plot, character development, and world-building.
3. Critique Partners: Connect with other writers, preferably in the SF/F community, for in-depth feedback and mutual critique.
4. Professional Editing: Consider investing in a professional developmental editor at least a thorough copy edit.
5. Proofreading: Do a final proofread for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues. Reading aloud can help catch mistakes you might otherwise miss.

Crafting Your Query Package

A query package is essentially everything the agent requests in your initial submission. This can be a variety of different things depending on agent preferences. But let’s look at some common expectations for a query package.

Your submission typically includes:

1. Query Letter: A one-page pitch that introduces your novel, provides a brief synopsis, and includes relevant information about you as an author.
2. Synopsis: A 1-2 page summary of your entire plot, including the ending.
3. Sample Chapters: Usually the first 1-3 chapters or about 50 pages, unless otherwise specified.

Remember, the SF/F market is highly competitive. Your submission package needs to not only showcase your writing skills but also demonstrate the unique aspects of your world-building, magic system, or technological concepts that set your work apart.

By meticulously preparing your submission materials and following each agent’s guidelines, you’ll maximize your chances of standing out in the slush pile and catching the eye of an agent who can champion your science fiction or fantasy novel.

Researching Literary Agents

Researching your potential literary agent is extremely important because they will become a major part of your writing life. I’ve heard other writers describe finding the right literary agent is a lot like dating. Some of the relationships will work, while others won’t. So, let’s start with the basics of finding an agent in your genre.

Finding Agents Who Represent Your Genre

Where speculative fiction genres have so many subgenres, you’ll need to look for the key words that tie to your book in the agent profiles. There are many resources that can help you find an agents in print and online. Check out the following resources:

• Writer’s Market: They offer a listing of book publishers, magazines, awards, and literary agents in print. Not only is Writer’s Market updated annually, they also have specialized editions focusing on Literary Agents and other sub-categories.
• Query Tracker: A free database where you can search for agents by genre that also helps you track your queries and response rates.
• Publisher’s Marketplace: This is paid service that provides a database, tools, and information on industry professionals. It also allows tracking through BookScan.

Now, these are only a few resources. If you have one that you’ve found more useful than others, drop it in the comments!

Understanding Agent Preferences and Specialties

Remember how I said finding an agent was a lot like dating? This is where knowing your date can give you a basic idea of how the date will go. Every agent is a human being, so they will have their personal preferences that you’ll need to take into consideration. You won’t be turning a Hard Sci-Fi lover into a fan of your soft Sci-Fi.

You can use different resources to research potential agents like their websites, social media, and interviews or articles. Did you ever have that friend who could have worked at the FBI with how well they dig into someone’s history that you’re about to date? Channel them. Dig into everything you can about the agent to find if they’re the right fit for you.

Their website will give you the submission guidelines, genres they represent, and any specific preferences they have. When they say they don’t like something, take it seriously. Scroll through their social media platforms to get insights into their preferences and current interests. Read interviews and articles where the agents discuss their favorite genres, recent acquisitions, and what excites them about new submissions.

Your successful research won’t only help you find the right potential agents for your story, but aids in crafting your query letter.

Crafting Your Query Letter

Query letters can be the make or break for your story before a potential agent, or their intern, has even looked at the first line of your story. There are entire websites aimed at helping you write better query letters like Query Shark. So we’ll go over the basics here and you can deep dive into it when you’re ready.

Elements of a Strong Query Letter

There are many elements to a one page pitch that has to sell your 300+ page book. It can be hard to condense everything down and, on top of that, sell yourself to the intended agent. So focus on the following to ensure you hit the key points and win your potential agent over:

1. Introduction: Start with a brief, engaging introduction. Mention the title, genre, and word count of your manuscript.
2. Hook: A captivating one-liner or short paragraph that grabs the agent’s attention.
3. Synopsis: A concise summary of your story, highlighting the main plot points, stakes, and unique elements.
4. Bio: A short author bio, including relevant writing experience, publications, or credentials.
5. Personalization: Tailor the letter to the specific agent, mentioning why you chose to query them.

How to Hook an Agent with Your Concept

If you don’t have an agent reaching out to you, think of your query letter as a cold-call email where you’re trying to persuade someone to buy your product. To catch the attention of a potential agent, you must quickly and effectively hook them amidst a flood of query letters and manuscript submissions. Here are some items you can bring up in your query letter to increase your chances of success:

• Unique Premise: Highlight what makes your story unique. Speculative fiction thrives on originality.
• Strong Voice: Ensure your writing voice shines through in the query. It should reflect the tone of your manuscript.
• Compelling Characters: Briefly introduce your main characters and their motivations.
• High Stakes: Clearly outline the stakes and conflicts. What does the protagonist stand to lose or gain?
• Comparative Titles: Mention a couple of recent, successful books that are similar to yours, showing market awareness.

For one last reminder, tailoring your query to each agent can create a personal connection that represents your professionalism and attention to details. The research you did in the previous section isn’t just to get to know your agent, but to help you begin a relationship with them that will hopefully lead to success for both of you.

Responding to Agent Interest

Just getting a response from an agent can be an exciting moment for any author. While it’s not a full on acceptance and representation for your work, it offers some sense of validation to what you’ve been working on. So, keep calm, and let’s go over how to respond to your potential agent’s interest.

Partial or Full Manuscript Requests

Depending on the agent’s approach to potential clients, you may get a request for a partial or full manuscript request. The partial can include the first three chapters, the first fifty pages, or the first 10,000 words. This will depend on your agent’s preferences. The full request is just that, a request for your entire manuscript. While you’re working extra hard to remain calm, you need to do the following:

• Respond Promptly: Reply to the agent as soon as possible and ensure you thank them for their interest.
• Follow Instructions: Ensure you follow their instructions and ask questions if any clarifications are needed. Their instructions might include file formatting, naming conventions, or additional material.
• Remain Professional: Maintain your professional tone in all communications. Once you’ve reached the point of contract and it’s signed and they’re stuck with you, maybe then you can let your crazy flag fly. Until then, and maybe even after, you’re a professional.

A quick note here. After speaking with a literary agent at a recent online convention, I was able to get some clarification on the partial requests. Sometimes those first fifty pages or 10,000 words can fall really close to the end of a chapter. My question was can we finish the chapter, thought, or pertinent portion of the submission, or were those hard numbers. They said that most agents are fine if you finish the chapter as long as it’s a few pages or if you are comfortable just finishing the sentence to make it 10,023 words. If your chapter has twenty more pages left, then try to finish it at the best point possible. Once again, this is showing the agent that you can follow instructions.

Preparing for Agent Calls or Meetings

Okay, so they like your manuscript enough to discuss it, its potential, and your potential. Agents may set up a call or meeting depending on their preferences, so don’t take one as better or worse than the other. After you get this contact scheduled, then you’ll want to prepare for this moment like a job interview.

Research the agent and their agency further. You should already have a basic knowledge of both, but you were probably looking at a couple of different agents at a couple different agencies. It’s time to really dig in and focus on this agent and agency. You should be able to find their client list and recent deals. Knowing the books they’ve helped publish will help you build a rapport and give you an idea of potential success with them. The agency’s recent deals will help you understand the scope they usually fall under and see if that aligns with your goals.

Once you think about your goals, it’s time to build your list of questions to ask the agent. Consider exploring not only their vision for your book but also how they envision it, aligning with current market trends and reader expectations. Ask about their communication style, what are their preferred methods of correspondence and how frequently you can expect updates throughout the publishing process. Discuss what they expect from you as a client. These expectations may include deadlines for drafts and your commitment to promoting the book. Understanding their expectations can set the tone for a successful partnership.

Handling Rejections

Well, if you’ve found this section, then you’re part of the majority who have, at one point or another, received a rejection. There are so many reasons that an agent might reject a transcript that it’s hard to know why unless they give you feedback. Take it as you can. Do your best to remember all the authors who resubmitted their stories to so many agents and publishers before finding success. There are various levels of rejection you’ll receive and the ways you’ll handle them will vary.

Form Rejections

These are standard responses that don’t provide specific feedback. They are common and not a reflection of your work’s quality. As informal as these are, Dear (insert name), Thank you for your submission da-da-da-da, they still hurt. But here are some things to consider as you rack your brain on what could have constituted a form rejection for your manuscript.

• Query Letter Issues: Your query might not have been as strong as you though, or it was too long, too short, arrived on a Monday instead of a Tuesday, or whatever the reason may be. The best thing you can do is to follow the guidelines to for the query letter to the best of your ability. Maybe revisit your hook if you feel like it could use some improvement.
• Market Fit: Your manuscript might not fit the current trends. If you get an agent, you’d want it to be at the most helpful point for both of you. Market trends fluctuate, and a story that wasn’t accepted a few years ago might get picked up now. Writing is a business that changes its supply and demand daily.
• High Volume of Submissions: There’s a lot of authors out there and agents can receive hundreds of queries weekly. They might not have the time to give you the personalized feedback you were hoping for.

It still hurts to look back at my form rejections for Extoria, even though I know that the book needed a lot more help that I understood back then. Also, my query letters were rough and there was much I still had to, and still have to, learn in the writing industry. Build a little folder for form rejections. Don’t delete them. They will be the proof that you’re putting in the effort to get your work out there. With some luck, you might find that you’ll eventually get more than form rejections.

Personalized Rejections

Personalized rejections include specific feedback or reasons for the rejection. These rejections could be anything from “I like your writing, but it doesn’t fit my current list,” to specific market feedback. They can be valuable in understanding how to improve your manuscript. If you’re getting a personalized rejection, then you’re on the right path. Take these rejections as an exciting moment that what you’ve been doing, practicing, is benefiting you.

Analyze the feedback you receive. Reading is such an individual experience that you may just not have gone in the direction they would have. There will be some things like comments on the elements of fiction that you shouldn’t ignore, but if their feedback doesn’t align with the goals of your story, then they might not be the right fit. Practicing this skill is important as a writer, especially once you get reviews on websites like Amazon and Goodreads. Filtering feedback isn’t always easy, but there are ways to make it a beneficial practice.

As you dig through the feedback, keep an open mind. Two people can read the same manuscript and have opposite reactions to the same sections. When you’re keeping an open mind with the feedback you receive, it’s important to take a step back and remove yourself from the equation. If you’re receiving feedback from an agent, hopefully it’s specific enough to give you something to work on. If not, try to consider what their words imply and what part of the writing might not have aligned with them.

Writing Exercise: Query Practice

Practice crafting a compelling query letter and researching literary agents for your science fiction or fantasy novel.

1. Create a Mock Novel Concept

Invent a science fiction or fantasy novel concept. Include:

• Title
• Genre/subgenre
• Word count (65,000-120,000 words is typical for debut SF/F)
• Main character(s)
• Core conflict
• Unique world-building element

2. Write a Query Letter

Craft a one-page query letter for your mock novel. Include:

• Opening hook
• Brief synopsis (1-2 paragraphs)
• Comparable titles (2-3 recent, successful books in your genre)
• Author bio (include any relevant writing experience or credentials)

3. Research Three Agents

Choose three real literary agents who represent science fiction or fantasy. For each agent, note:

• Name and agency
• Recent sales or clients in your subgenre
• Submission guidelines
• Any stated preferences or interests
• Their social media presence or recent interviews

4. Personalize Your Query

Create three versions of your query letter, each tailored to the agent you researched. Change your original letter to:

• Address the agent by name
• Include a sentence explaining why you queried them specifically
• Highlight aspects of your novel that align with their stated interests

5. Critique and Revise

Exchange your mock queries with a writing partner or group. Provide feedback on each other’s work, focusing on:

• Hook effectiveness
• Clarity of the story concept
• Professionalism and adherence to standard query format
• Personalization for each agent

6. Reflection

Write a brief reflection (200-300 words) on what you learned from this exercise. Consider:

• Challenges in condensing your novel idea into a query
• Insights gained from agent research
• How you might apply this to querying your actual novel

Remember: While this is a practice exercise, treat it as seriously as you would a real query. The skills you develop here will be invaluable when you’re ready to query your completed manuscript.

Conclusion

Finding a literary agent for your sci-fi or fantasy novel can be tough, but it’s an important step towards getting published. By meticulously preparing your manuscript, crafting a compelling query letter, and thoroughly researching potential agents, you’ll maximize your chances of success.

Remember, persistence is key in this competitive industry. Every rejection brings you one step closer to finding the right agent who will champion your unique vision. Stay focused, continue honing your craft, and don’t lose sight of the magical worlds you’ve created.

Your dedication and creativity will ultimately guide you towards the perfect partnership to bring your speculative fiction to eager readers worldwide. Getting a literary agent can help you in your process of becoming an Author of Tomorrow.

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